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Average

#555 of 1,036 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

6.2

Grades

4th – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#555 of 1,036

In Batesville

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE)

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Southside Middle School

6.2/10

Middle School in Batesville · grades 4th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Southside Junior High School

8.0/10

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

Southside Charter High School

6.1/10

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

About Southside Middle School

Southside Middle School is a public middle school in Batesville, AR, part of SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (INDEPENDENCE). Southside Middle School serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades 4th-6th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #555 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Southside Middle School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • AR avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Southside Middle 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 Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+7.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,049
Chronic Absenteeism15.8%

Southside Middle School — Students at Southside Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.2% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.2% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 37 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
78%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
65%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
66%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
66%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
48%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
51%
ELA
31%
2025
Math
50.5%
ELA
33.5%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Southside Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in AR
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

Programs & Offerings

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 Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY (rated 8.9/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Cave City), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHSIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER (rated 5.8/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Batesville, see our Batesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTHSIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Batesville 0.2 mi 8.0
SOUTHSIDE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Batesville 0.3 mi 6.1
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 1.3 mi 5.5
BATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER Batesville 3.7 mi 5.4
BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER Batesville 3.7 mi 5.8
EAGLE MOUNTAIN MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 4.1 mi 5.8
WEST MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville 5.4 mi 3.7
SULPHUR ROCK MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sulphur Rock 8.3 mi 8.3
MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL Pleasant Plains 10.7 mi 4.6
MIDLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Floral 10.7 mi 4.9
CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Newark 10.5 mi 8.8
CEDAR RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newark 10.7 mi 7.7
CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL Concord 12.3 mi 6.7
CONCORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Concord 12.4 mi 5.4
CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City 17.8 mi 8.9
CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City 17.8 mi 7.9
CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City 17.9 mi 7.0
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bradford 21.0 mi
BRADFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradford 21.4 mi 4.5
BRADFORD HIGH SCHOOL Bradford 21.4 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
BEEBE MIDDLE SCHOOL Beebe, AR 6.2
HUNTSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Huntsville, AR 6.2
GENTRY MIDDLE SCHOOL Gentry, AR 6.1
GREEN FOREST INTERMED SCHOOL Green Forest, AR 6.1
WALDRON MIDDLE SCHOOL Waldron, AR 6.1
WARREN MIDDLE SCHOOL Warren, AR 6.1

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 ranks #555 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Southside Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside Middle School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

District

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

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