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Very Good

#289 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 28% 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

7.4

Grades

4th – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#289 of 1,036

In Searcy

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

SEARCY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Southwest Middle School

7.4/10

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

Ahlf Junior High School

7.1/10

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

Mcrae Elementary School

7.0/10

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

About Southwest Middle School

Southwest Middle School is a public middle school in Searcy, AR, part of SEARCY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Southwest Middle School serves approximately 879 students, and covers grades 4th-6th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #289 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Southwest Middle School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • AR avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.4 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.4% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+12.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,718
Chronic Absenteeism27.5%

Southwest Middle School — Students at Southwest Middle School score 50% 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

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.3% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
40.2% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 57.0% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
37.2% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 33 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
84%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
55.9%
ELA
44.4%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Southwest Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
72th percentile in AR
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.5%

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

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. AHLF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Bald Knob), with a comparable rating. Additionally, RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 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 7.1
MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy 0.7 mi 7.0
SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 0.8 mi 4.9
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy 1.4 mi 7.9
HARDING ACADEMY Searcy 1.6 mi 6.7
SIDNEY DEENER ELEM. SCHOOL Searcy 2.0 mi 4.0
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 4.7
RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 3.4 mi 5.7
KENSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kensett 4.2 mi 4.9
JUDSONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Judsonia 6.5 mi 4.2
WHITE CO. CENTRAL ELEM. SCHOOL Judsonia 8.7 mi 8.0
WHITE CO. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Judsonia 8.7 mi 6.3
H.L. LUBKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bald Knob 10.9 mi 6.6
BALD KNOB HIGH SCHOOL Bald Knob 11.1 mi 4.7
BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL Bald Knob 11.1 mi 6.9
PANGBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pangburn 13.6 mi 6.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CREEKSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bentonville, AR 7.4
PINKSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain Home, AR 7.4
CABOT JUNIOR HIGH NORTH Cabot, AR 7.5
GREENBRIER MIDDLE SCHOOL Greenbrier, AR 7.5
LAKESIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR 7.5
RUSSELLVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Russellville, AR 7.5

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 ranks #289 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Southwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Southwest Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Middle School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

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

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.5%

District

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

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