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#671 of 1,035 schools in AR

Ruth Barker Middle School

Middle School · BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

500 SE 18TH ST, Bentonville, AR 72712

Enrollment

491

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

5.7

Grades

5th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bentonville

#20 of 23

public schools

Arkansas middle schools

#141 of 205

In district

#21 of 24

BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Ruth Barker Middle School

Ruth Barker Middle School serves 491 students in grades 5 and 6 in Bentonville, Arkansas. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking #178 out of 1,044 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile.

With an impressive academic score of 9.2 out of 10, Ruth Barker shows consistent achievement across core subjects, with 58% of students scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics. The school serves students from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $95,071 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 6.6% and median home values of $352,600 reflect the area's economic stability.

As a transitional middle school focusing specifically on grades 5 and 6, Ruth Barker provides an important bridge between elementary and traditional middle school years. The school's strong academic foundation and high rankings suggest it effectively prepares students for their continued educational journey. Ruth Barker Middle School operates within Bentonville's small city environment, benefiting from a supportive, well-educated community that values academic achievement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,698

Ruth Barker Middle School — Students at Ruth Barker Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 57.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
66%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
58%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.

How Ruth Barker Middle School Compares

See how Ruth Barker Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in AR
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

500 SE 18TH ST, Bentonville, AR 72712

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ruth Barker Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LISA ACADEMY ROGERS-BENTONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Rogers), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bentonville, see our Bentonville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
MARY MAE JONES ELEM. SCHOOL Bentonville 0.3 mi 7.7
BENTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville 0.5 mi 9.1
HAAS HALL BENTONVILLE Bentonville 0.6 mi 7.9
BENTONVILLE SDA SCHOOL Bentonville 1.3 mi
OLD HIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL Bentonville 1.6 mi 7.0
R.E. BAKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville 1.6 mi 7.9
WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville 1.7 mi 8.3
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS BENTONVILLE Bentonville 1.5 mi 8.3
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ROGERS Bentonville 1.5 mi 6.1
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY ONLINE Bentonville 1.5 mi
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE Bentonville 1.5 mi
LISA ACADEMY ROGERS-BENTONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers 1.8 mi 6.4
LISA ACADEMY ROGERS-BENTONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rogers 1.8 mi 8.0
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS ROGERS Rogers 1.8 mi 5.1
APPLE GLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville 1.8 mi 6.9
REAGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers 1.9 mi 6.0
THOMAS JEFFERSON ELEM. SCHOOL Bentonville 2.2 mi 8.0
SUGAR CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville 2.3 mi 8.3
BENTONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bentonville 2.3 mi 5.6
LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville 2.6 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72712 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,073

Median Home Value

$401,300

Median Rent

$1,197/mo

Population

38,072

College Educated

49.5%

Homeownership

58.4%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ruth Barker Middle School has a median household income of $102,073. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $401,300, with a median rent of $1,197/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BOB COURTWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL Conway, AR 5.7
CLARKSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Clarksville, AR 5.7
TRUMANN MIDDLE SCHOOL Trumann, AR 5.7
BISMARCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck, AR 5.8
FRANK MITCHELL INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Vilonia, AR 5.8
HAMBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL Hamburg, AR 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ruth Barker Middle School

What grades does Ruth Barker Middle School serve?

Ruth Barker Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Ruth Barker Middle School?

Ruth Barker Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 491 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruth Barker Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ruth Barker Middle School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ruth Barker Middle School rank in AR?

Ruth Barker Middle School is ranked #671 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Ruth Barker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ruth Barker Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ruth Barker Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruth Barker Middle School has 57.3% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ruth Barker Middle School a charter school?

No, Ruth Barker Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ruth Barker Middle School a Title I school?

No, Ruth Barker Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ruth Barker Middle School?

28.9% of students at Ruth Barker Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,088/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bentonville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Benton County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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