Average
#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
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ruth Barker Middle School — Students at Ruth Barker Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 58% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 58% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (479) 696-3300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 19,137
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,377
- District Rank
- #21 of 24
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.
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