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Average

#423 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 41% in state

Southwest Middle School

Middle School · SEARCY SCHOOL DISTRICT

1000 W BEEBE CAPPS EXPRESSWAY, Searcy, AR 72143

Enrollment

879

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

4th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Searcy

#4 of 8

public schools

Arkansas middle schools

#94 of 205

In district

#4 of 6

SEARCY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Southwest Middle School

Southwest Middle School serves 879 students in grades 4 through 6 in Searcy, Arkansas, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1 and 56 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned strong recognition, ranking #175 out of 1,044 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. Academically, Southwest Middle School demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 8.6 out of 10.

Math instruction appears to be a particular strength, with 59% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. In English Language Arts and Reading, 47% of students perform at or above proficient levels, indicating steady progress in literacy development. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $49,402 and 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Located at 1000 W Beebe Capps Expressway, Southwest Middle School operates in a town setting within White County, providing educational opportunities in a community where families value both academic achievement and small-town connections.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,738

Southwest Middle School — Students at Southwest Middle School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
47%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Southwest Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in AR
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

1000 W BEEBE CAPPS EXPRESSWAY, Searcy, AR 72143

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Bald Knob), which scores slightly higher. Another option is AHLF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Searcy, see our Searcy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
AHLF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 0.6 mi 6.1
MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy 0.7 mi 4.8
SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 0.8 mi 7.7
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy 1.4 mi 7.7
HARDING ACADEMY Searcy 1.6 mi 6.7
SIDNEY DEENER ELEM. SCHOOL Searcy 2.0 mi 7.1
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Searcy 2.0 mi 6.5
SUNSHINE SCHOOL Searcy 2.5 mi 6.7
CROSSPOINTE PREPARATORY Searcy 2.6 mi 6.6
RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 3.4 mi 4.5
RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 3.4 mi 5.0
KENSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kensett 4.2 mi 5.2
JUDSONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Judsonia 6.5 mi 8.0
WHITE CO. CENTRAL ELEM. SCHOOL Judsonia 8.7 mi 6.2
WHITE CO. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Judsonia 8.7 mi 5.0
H.L. LUBKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bald Knob 10.9 mi 7.5
BALD KNOB HIGH SCHOOL Bald Knob 11.1 mi 6.9
BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL Bald Knob 11.1 mi 7.1
PANGBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pangburn 13.6 mi 5.2
PANGBURN HIGH SCHOOL Pangburn 13.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72143 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,522

Median Home Value

$176,900

Median Rent

$851/mo

Population

35,523

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

64%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwest Middle School has a median household income of $55,522. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,900, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
ANNIE CAMP JR. HIGH SCHOOL Jonesboro, AR 6.7
BARTON JR. HIGH SCHOOL El Dorado, AR 6.7
CABOT MIDDLE SCHOOL SOUTH Cabot, AR 6.7
MAGNOLIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Magnolia, AR 6.7
MORRILTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Morrilton, AR 6.7
PINNACLE VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest Middle School

What grades does Southwest Middle School serve?

Southwest Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 6th.

How many students attend Southwest Middle School?

Southwest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 879 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest Middle School rank in AR?

Southwest Middle School is ranked #423 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Southwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Southwest Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Middle School has 58.3% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southwest Middle School a charter school?

No, Southwest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southwest Middle School a Title I school?

No, Southwest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Middle School?

54.4% of students at Southwest 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

City Safety
High (2,675/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Searcy). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
879
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
White County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SEARCY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,012
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,718
District Rank
#4 of 6

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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