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Average

#457 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 44% in state

Southside High School

High School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

4100 GARY ST, Fort Smith, AR 72903

Enrollment

1,970

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#457 of 1,036

In Fort Smith

#10 of 26

public schools

In district

#11 of 26

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Southside High School

6.7/10

High School in Fort Smith · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Raymond F. Orr Elem. School

5.5/10

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

Bonneville Elementary School

7.1/10

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

About Southside High School

Southside High School is a public high school in Fort Smith, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT. Southside High School serves approximately 1,970 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #457 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Southside High School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • AR avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.3% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness6.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation18%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,459
Chronic Absenteeism20.3%

Southside High School — Students at Southside High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
20.2% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 61.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
32.7% (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
63%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
36%
ELA
49%
2025
Math
21.3%
ELA
38%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Southside High School Compares

See how Southside High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in AR
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.5
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
191 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
18% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·34 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

4100 GARY ST, Fort Smith, AR 72903

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southside High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ARKOMA HS (rated 6.4/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Arkoma), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER (rated 5.1/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.8 mi 5.5
BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.1 mi 7.1
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.2 mi 6.0
CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.5 mi 3.5
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.5 mi 6.3
RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.4 mi 6.4
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 1.7 mi
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.7 mi 6.7
BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.6 mi 7.4
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 1.5 mi 7.4
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.1 mi 3.9
EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.0 mi 6.8
NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.4 mi 6.7
BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith 2.4 mi 5.1
HARVEST TIME ACADEMY Fort Smith 2.8 mi 7.9
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.9 mi 6.7
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.1 mi 4.0
TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.0 mi 5.3
ARKOMA MS Arkoma 2.6 mi 4.0
ARKOMA HS Arkoma 2.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72903 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,186

Median Home Value

$216,200

Median Rent

$804/mo

Population

26,318

College Educated

32.8%

Homeownership

53.6%

Avg Commute

17 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

38.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 6.7
ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL Rogers, AR 6.7
MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER ACADEMIES Mountain Home, AR 6.8
CABOT HIGH SCHOOL Cabot, AR 6.6
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 6.5
CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL Conway, AR 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southside High School

What grades does Southside High School serve?

Southside High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southside High School?

Southside High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,970 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southside High School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southside High School rank in AR?

Southside High School ranks #457 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Southside High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Southside High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside High School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southside High School a charter school?

No, Southside High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southside High School a Title I school?

No, Southside High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside High School?

47.2% of students at Southside High 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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,970
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
191
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Sebastian County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.3%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
14,060
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,459
District Rank
#11 of 26

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