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Average

#553 of 1,035 schools in AR

Swifton Middle School

Middle School · JACKSON CO. SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 556, Swifton, AR 72471

Enrollment

187

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

6.2

Grades

5th – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas middle schools

#117 of 205

In district

#3 of 3

JACKSON CO. SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Swifton Middle School

Swifton Middle School serves 187 students in grades 5 through 7 in the small community of Swifton, Arkansas. This rural public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #225 out of 1,044 schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among Arkansas schools.

Students show particularly strong performance in mathematics, with 57% achieving proficiency or above, while 42% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Swifton Middle School serves a working-class community where the median household income is $53,929 and median home values are $62,800. The school plays an important role in this tight-knit rural area, where about one-third of families face economic challenges.

Despite these circumstances, the school maintains its commitment to student achievement and growth. Located in Jackson County's countryside, Swifton Middle School operates in a rural setting that fosters close community connections and allows students to learn in a small-town atmosphere where everyone knows each other.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 187 students, Swifton Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Swifton 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 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,258

Swifton Middle School — Students at Swifton Middle School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
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
72%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
42%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Swifton Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in AR
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

P O BOX 556, Swifton, AR 72471

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swifton Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. WEINER ELEMENTARY (rated 9.5/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Weiner), which scores notably higher. Another option is TUCKERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Tuckerman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Swifton, see our Swifton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.2 mi
School Distance Rating
TUCKERMAN HIGH SCHOOL Tuckerman 7.4 mi 7.7
TUCKERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tuckerman 7.5 mi 9.0
HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lynn 14.6 mi 7.9
NEWPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newport 15.3 mi 4.5
HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL Strawberry 14.6 mi 6.2
NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL Newport 17.5 mi 6.8
HOXIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hoxie 17.6 mi 4.6
HOXIE HIGH SCHOOL Hoxie 17.6 mi 6.5
WALNUT RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Walnut Ridge 18.9 mi 6.1
WALNUT RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Walnut Ridge 19.0 mi 4.9
WEINER ELEMENTARY Weiner 18.6 mi 9.5
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jonesboro 18.0 mi 4.7
WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Jonesboro 18.1 mi 7.0
WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Jonesboro 18.3 mi 5.2
CEDAR RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newark 19.1 mi 6.9
CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Newark 19.3 mi 8.4
RIDGEFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jonesboro 19.9 mi 6.6
SULPHUR ROCK MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sulphur Rock 21.4 mi 5.4
SLOAN-HENDRIX HIGH SCHOOL Imboden 26.2 mi 6.6
SLOAN-HENDRIX ELEM. SCHOOL Imboden 26.2 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72471 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,048

Median Home Value

$69,600

Median Rent

$531/mo

Population

1,339

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

62.2%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

28.6%

Median Age

29.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Swifton Middle School has a median household income of $34,048. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $69,600, with a median rent of $531/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
EUREKA SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Eureka Springs, AR 6.2
JACKSONVILLE LIGHTHOUSE FLIGHTLINE ACADEMY Lrafb, AR 6.2
LESLIE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Leslie, AR 6.1
LINCOLN ACADEMY Forrest City, AR 6.1
LAVACA MIDDLE SCHOOL Lavaca, AR 6.0
RIVERCREST JR HIGH PREP ACADEMY Wilson, AR 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swifton Middle School

What grades does Swifton Middle School serve?

Swifton Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 7th.

How many students attend Swifton Middle School?

Swifton Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 187 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Swifton Middle School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swifton Middle School rank in AR?

Swifton Middle School is ranked #553 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Swifton Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Swifton Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Swifton Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swifton Middle School has 63.7% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Swifton Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Swifton Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

70.1% of students at Swifton 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
Average (279/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 7th
Enrollment
187
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

JACKSON CO. SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
807
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,605
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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