Average
#36 of 89 private schools in AR
Top 39% of private schools
Sunshine School
School
901 AIRPORT LOOP, Searcy, AR 72143
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AR statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Searcy
#2 of 4
public schools
Arkansas schools
#20 of 49
About Sunshine School
Sunshine School serves 31 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Searcy, Arkansas, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkable 5.2:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, this small regular public school provides highly personalized attention that many families value. The school has earned an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #23 out of 89 schools statewide, placing it in the 75th percentile among Arkansas schools.
This strong performance reflects the benefits of its small-scale learning environment where teachers can focus closely on individual student needs. Sunshine School draws from a community where the median household income is $49,402 and median home value reaches $173,100. About 28% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 18.9% in this ZIP code of nearly 35,000 residents.
The school's unique span from pre-K through high school means younger and older students learn together in a family-like atmosphere, potentially creating mentorship opportunities across grade levels. Located in a rural area near the town of Searcy, Sunshine School serves families who appreciate the close-knit educational community that only a small school can provide.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 31 students, Sunshine School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.2:1, Sunshine School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Sunshine School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $73,748
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $84,225
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.14x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 94%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $3.2M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 31 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Sunshine School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Searcy, AR
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sunshine School (this school) | 6.7 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL | 6.7 |
| SIDNEY DEENER ELEM. SCHOOL | 7.1 |
| AHLF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | 6.1 |
| MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 4.8 |
| SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL | 7.7 |
| WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 7.7 |
| RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | 5.0 |
| RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL | 4.5 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AR.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in AR
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
901 AIRPORT LOOP, Searcy, AR 72143
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunshine School may also want to explore other schools in the area. LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Beebe), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Beebe), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HARDING ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Searcy, see our Searcy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Searcy | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| HARDING ACADEMY Searcy | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Searcy | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| SIDNEY DEENER ELEM. SCHOOL Searcy | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| AHLF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| CROSSPOINTE PREPARATORY Searcy | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy | 3.0 mi | 4.8 |
| SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL Searcy | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Searcy | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
| RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| KENSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kensett | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| JUDSONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Judsonia | 6.8 mi | 8.0 |
| WHITE CO. CENTRAL ELEM. SCHOOL Judsonia | 10.4 mi | 6.2 |
| WHITE CO. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Judsonia | 10.4 mi | 5.0 |
| H.L. LUBKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bald Knob | 11.3 mi | 7.5 |
| BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL Bald Knob | 11.4 mi | 7.1 |
| BALD KNOB HIGH SCHOOL Bald Knob | 11.4 mi | 6.9 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beebe | 12.3 mi | 7.2 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beebe | 12.3 mi | 6.9 |
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 Sunshine 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 |
|---|---|
| ADVENTURE ONLINE ACADEMY Waldron, AR | 6.7 |
| AMBASSADOR BAPTIST ACADEMY Malvern, AR | 6.8 |
| SOUTH ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, INC Lewisville, AR | 6.6 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beebe, AR | 6.9 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beebe, AR | 7.2 |
| GLENWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Glenwood, AR | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunshine School
What grades does Sunshine School serve?
Sunshine School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Sunshine School?
Sunshine School has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunshine School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine School is 5.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Sunshine School rank in AR?
Sunshine School is ranked #36 out of 89 private schools in AR.
What is Sunshine School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunshine 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.
Is Sunshine School a private school?
Yes, Sunshine School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Sunshine School a religious school?
No, Sunshine School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,675/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Searcy). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 31
- Gender Split
- 87% M / 13% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 178 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- WHITE
- Phone
- (501) 268-9227
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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