Average
#740 of 1,035 schools in AR
William O. Darby Middle School
Middle School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
616 N 14TH ST, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Smith
#18 of 26
public schools
Arkansas middle schools
#159 of 205
In district
#18 of 26
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
About William O. Darby Middle School
William O. Darby Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 720 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed.
The school has 49 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body. Academically, William O. Darby Middle School ranks 32nd percentile among Arkansas schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.2 out of 10.
In reading and ELA, about 33% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is around 25%. The school focuses on providing a supportive learning environment to help students grow academically. William O.
Darby Middle School is situated in a small city setting within Sebastian County. Despite its challenges, the school community works hard to provide a nurturing and enriching educational experience for all its students.
Score Breakdown
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William O. Darby Middle School — Students at William O. Darby Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.5/10.
How William O. Darby Middle School Compares
See how William O. Darby Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
616 N 14TH ST, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William O. Darby Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.2 mi | 2.9 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.6 mi | 3.0 |
| NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 1.5 mi | — |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.5 mi | 2.4 |
| SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.4 mi | 3.4 |
| RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| MOFFETT PUBLIC SCHOOL Moffett | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| ARKOMA MS Arkoma | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| ARKOMA HS Arkoma | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,568
Median Home Value
$113,200
Median Rent
$837/mo
Population
19,966
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
44.7%
Avg Commute
16.8 min
Poverty Rate
23.9%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding William O. Darby Middle School has a median household income of $42,568. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,200, with a median rent of $837/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| GREENBRIER MIDDLE SCHOOL Greenbrier, AR | 5.4 |
| MANN MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock, AR | 5.4 |
| ALMA MIDDLE SCHOOL Alma, AR | 5.5 |
| CABOT JUNIOR HIGH NORTH Cabot, AR | 5.5 |
| PARAGOULD JUNIOR HIGH Paragould, AR | 5.5 |
| RAY/PHYLLIS SIMON MIDDLE SCHOO Conway, AR | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William O. Darby Middle School
What grades does William O. Darby Middle School serve?
William O. Darby Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend William O. Darby Middle School?
William O. Darby Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 720 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William O. Darby Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at William O. Darby Middle School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William O. Darby Middle School rank in AR?
William O. Darby Middle School is ranked #740 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is William O. Darby Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
William O. Darby Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 William O. Darby Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William O. Darby Middle School has 25.3% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William O. Darby Middle School a charter school?
No, William O. Darby Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William O. Darby Middle School a Title I school?
No, William O. Darby Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William O. Darby Middle School?
85.6% of students at William O. Darby 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,538/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Smith). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 720
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sebastian County
- Phone
- (479) 783-4159
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 14,060
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,459
- District Rank
- #18 of 26
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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