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Average

#726 of 1,035 schools in AR

Southside Junior High School

Middle School · SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)

70 SCOTT DR, Batesville, AR 72501

Charter

Enrollment

437

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

5.5

Grades

7th – 9th

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 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,405

Southside Junior High School — Students at Southside Junior High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
39%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
35%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in AR
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTHSIDE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Batesville 0.1 mi 7.1
SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Batesville 0.2 mi 4.3
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 1.1 mi 5.7
BATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER Batesville 3.7 mi 5.4
BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER Batesville 3.8 mi 4.5
EAGLE MOUNTAIN MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 4.2 mi 7.7
WEST MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 5.6 mi 3.8
SULPHUR ROCK MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sulphur Rock 8.2 mi 5.4
MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL Pleasant Plains 10.6 mi 5.6
MIDLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Floral 10.7 mi 9.2
CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Newark 10.4 mi 8.4
CEDAR RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newark 10.6 mi 6.9
CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL Concord 12.5 mi 7.1
CONCORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Concord 12.6 mi 8.5
CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City 17.9 mi 7.6
CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City 17.9 mi 7.6
CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City 18.0 mi 8.1
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bradford 20.9 mi
BRADFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradford 21.2 mi 6.3
BRADFORD HIGH SCHOOL Bradford 21.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)
District Enrollment
2,204
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,049
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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