Below Average
#941 of 1,035 schools in AR
Southside Middle School
Middle School · SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)
70 SCOTT DR, Batesville, AR 72501
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
4th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Batesville
#7 of 8
public schools
Arkansas middle schools
#198 of 205
In district
#4 of 4
SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)
About Southside Middle School
Southside Middle School is a regular public school located in Batesville, Arkansas, nestled in the rural Independence County. The school serves students from fourth through sixth grade with an enrollment of 463 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1, providing a reasonable level of individual attention for each student. Southside Middle School has 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse academic needs.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, and it ranks as the 835th best middle school in Arkansas according to state rankings, placing it around the 20th percentile. Southside Middle School has an academic score of 6.1/10, indicating there is room for improvement in certain areas but also highlighting where students excel. On average, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while a higher percentage—55%—reach proficiency or above in math.
Southside Middle School sits quietly in the rural countryside outside Batesville, fostering a close-knit community among its staff, students, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southside Middle 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 Middle School — Students at Southside Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 4.0/10.
How Southside Middle School Compares
See how Southside Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 51% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 31% (2022).
Location
70 SCOTT DR, Batesville, AR 72501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY (rated 7.6/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Cave City), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHSIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER (rated 4.5/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Batesville, see our Batesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.4 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| MONTICELLO MIDDLE SCHOOL Monticello, AR | 4.3 |
| CROSSETT MIDDLE SCHOOL Crossett, AR | 4.2 |
| POCAHONTAS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pocahontas, AR | 4.2 |
| POCAHONTAS UPPER ELEM. SCHOOL Pocahontas, AR | 4.2 |
| WATSON CHAPEL JR. HIGH SCHOOL Pine Bluff, AR | 4.4 |
| WILSON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Malvern, AR | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Middle School
What grades does Southside Middle School serve?
Southside Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 6th.
How many students attend Southside Middle School?
Southside Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Middle School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Middle School rank in AR?
Southside Middle School is ranked #941 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Southside Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Middle School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Middle School has 55.0% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside Middle School a charter school?
No, Southside Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside Middle School a Title I school?
No, Southside Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Middle School?
53.3% of students at Southside 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.
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
- 4th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Independence County
- Phone
- (870) 251-2332
- 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
- #4 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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