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Very Good

#319 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 31% in state

Ruth Barker Middle School

Middle School · BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

500 SE 18TH ST, Bentonville, AR 72712

Enrollment

491

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

5th – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#319 of 1,036

In Bentonville

#20 of 23

public schools

In district

#23 of 24

BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Ruth Barker Middle School

7.2/10

Middle School in Bentonville · grades 5th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mary Mae Jones Elem. School

7.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bentonville High School

8.3/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ruth Barker Middle School

Ruth Barker Middle School is a public middle school in Bentonville, AR, part of BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT. Ruth Barker Middle School serves approximately 491 students, and covers grades 5th-6th, and has a 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Ruth Barker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #319 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Ruth Barker Middle School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.2
  • AR avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.8% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.8% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+23.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,377
Chronic Absenteeism19.1%

Ruth Barker Middle School — Students at Ruth Barker Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

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 ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
38.7% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 68.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
36.1% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 34 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
70%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
64%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
66%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
66%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
60.8%
ELA
54.8%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Ruth Barker Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in AR
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. LISA ACADEMY ROGERS-BENTONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 9.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Rogers), which scores notably higher. Another option is LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), 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 7.9
BENTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville 0.5 mi 8.3
HAAS HALL BENTONVILLE Bentonville 0.6 mi 8.3
BENTONVILLE SDA SCHOOL Bentonville 1.3 mi
OLD HIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL Bentonville 1.6 mi 7.6
R.E. BAKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville 1.6 mi 7.3
WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville 1.7 mi 8.5
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS BENTONVILLE Bentonville 1.5 mi 8.2
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ROGERS Bentonville 1.5 mi 6.9
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 8.4
LISA ACADEMY ROGERS-BENTONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rogers 1.8 mi 9.5
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS ROGERS Rogers 1.8 mi 6.9
APPLE GLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville 1.8 mi 8.3
REAGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers 1.9 mi 5.7
THOMAS JEFFERSON ELEM. SCHOOL Bentonville 2.2 mi 7.8
SUGAR CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville 2.3 mi 8.5
BENTONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bentonville 2.3 mi 5.6
LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville 2.6 mi 8.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BAUXITE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bauxite, AR 7.2
HOLT MIDDLE SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR 7.2
MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain View, AR 7.2
LAMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Lamar, AR 7.3
MORRILTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Morrilton, AR 7.3
SONORA MIDDLE SCHOOL Springdale, AR 7.3

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 ranks #319 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Ruth Barker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ruth Barker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ruth Barker Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ruth Barker Middle School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.1%

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