Average
#726 of 1,035 schools in AR
Southside Junior High School
Middle School · SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)
70 SCOTT DR, Batesville, AR 72501
Enrollment
437
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
437
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Batesville
#4 of 8
public schools
Arkansas middle schools
#156 of 205
In district
#3 of 4
SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)
About Southside Junior High School
Southside Junior High School is a charter middle school located in Batesville, Arkansas, within Independence County. Situated at 70 Scott Drive, the school serves students from seventh to ninth grade and has an enrollment of 437 students. The student-to-teacher ratio stands at 11.2:1, with 39 full-time equivalent teachers supporting academic needs.
Southside Junior High focuses on providing a solid educational foundation for its students in rural Batesville. While the MySchoolScout rating and state ranking indicate room for improvement (4.4 out of 10 and 771st out of 1,044 schools respectively), the school is committed to fostering student development through dedicated teaching staff and personalized attention. In terms of academic performance, Southside Junior High shows that 36% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math.
Southside Junior High School is situated in a rural setting where community support plays an integral role in the school's operations and educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
Southside Junior High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Southside Junior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southside Junior High School — Students at Southside Junior High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 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: 5.1/10.
How Southside Junior High School Compares
See how Southside Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2021) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2021) to 35% (2022).
Location
70 SCOTT DR, Batesville, AR 72501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY (rated 7.6/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Cave City), which scores notably higher. Another option is BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER (rated 4.5/10, 3.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.3/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Batesville, see our Batesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,796
Median Home Value
$129,900
Median Rent
$818/mo
Population
25,988
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
18.4 min
Poverty Rate
21.2%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Junior High School has a median household income of $53,796. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $129,900, with a median rent of $818/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| PARAGOULD JUNIOR HIGH Paragould, AR | 5.5 |
| RAY/PHYLLIS SIMON MIDDLE SCHOO Conway, AR | 5.5 |
| FORREST CITY JR. HIGH Forrest City, AR | 5.4 |
| GOZA MIDDLE SCHOOL Arkadelphia, AR | 5.6 |
| LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln, AR | 5.6 |
| OAK GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Paragould, AR | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Junior High School
What grades does Southside Junior High School serve?
Southside Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 9th.
How many students attend Southside Junior High School?
Southside Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 437 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Junior High School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Junior High School rank in AR?
Southside Junior High School is ranked #726 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Southside Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Junior High School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Southside Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Junior High School has 36.5% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside Junior High School a charter school?
Yes, Southside Junior High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Southside Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Southside Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Junior High School?
54.9% of students at Southside Junior 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,910/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Batesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 9th
- Enrollment
- 437
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Independence County
- Phone
- (870) 251-4003
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)- District Enrollment
- 2,204
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,049
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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