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Excellent

#166 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 16% in state

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

8.0

Grades

7th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#166 of 1,036

In Batesville

#1 of 8

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Southside Junior High School

8.0/10

Middle School in Batesville · grades 7th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Southside Charter High School

6.1/10

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

Southside Middle School

6.2/10

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

About Southside Junior High School

Southside Junior High School is a public middle school in Batesville, AR, part of SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE). Southside Junior High School serves approximately 437 students, and covers grades 7th-9th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #166 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Southside Junior High School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • AR avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Southside Junior High School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Southside Junior High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,049
Chronic Absenteeism15.3%

Southside Junior High School — Students at Southside Junior High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.4% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
35.7% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 34.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
32.4% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 14 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2020*
Math
39%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
35%
2025
Math
33.5%
ELA
33%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Southside Junior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
84th percentile in AR
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.5
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
15.3% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·4 teams (incl. JV)·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

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 8.9/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Cave City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER (rated 5.8/10, 3.8 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 6.1
SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Batesville 0.2 mi 6.2
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 1.1 mi 5.5
BATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER Batesville 3.7 mi 5.4
BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER Batesville 3.8 mi 5.8
EAGLE MOUNTAIN MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 4.2 mi 5.8
WEST MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 5.6 mi 3.7
SULPHUR ROCK MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sulphur Rock 8.2 mi 8.3
MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL Pleasant Plains 10.6 mi 4.6
MIDLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Floral 10.7 mi 4.9
CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Newark 10.4 mi 8.8
CEDAR RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newark 10.6 mi 7.7
CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL Concord 12.5 mi 6.7
CONCORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Concord 12.6 mi 5.4
CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City 17.9 mi 8.9
CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City 17.9 mi 7.9
CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City 18.0 mi 7.0
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bradford 20.9 mi
BRADFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradford 21.2 mi 4.5
BRADFORD HIGH SCHOOL Bradford 21.2 mi 6.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Dover, AR 8.0
HARMONY GROVE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Benton, AR 8.0
MENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Mena, AR 8.0
NASHVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nashville, AR 8.0
RUSSELLVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Russellville, AR 8.0
ATKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL Atkins, AR 8.1

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 ranks #166 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Southside Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Junior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside Junior High School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

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

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.3%

District

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

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