Average
#394 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 38% in state
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
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#394 of 1,036
In Fort Smith
#7 of 26
public schools
In district
#8 of 26
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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William O. Darby Middle School
Middle School in Fort Smith · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Tilles Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Immaculate Conception Catholic School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About William O. Darby Middle School
William O. Darby Middle School is a public middle school in Fort Smith, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT. William O.
Darby Middle School serves approximately 720 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. William O. Darby Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #394 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for William O. Darby Middle School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- AR avg 6.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
William O. Darby Middle School — Students at William O. Darby Middle School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 8.2/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable 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 | 5.3 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 3.9 |
| SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| MOFFETT PUBLIC SCHOOL Moffett | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| ARKOMA MS Arkoma | 2.5 mi | 4.0 |
| ARKOMA HS Arkoma | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| SILOAM SPRINGS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Siloam Springs, AR | 6.9 |
| PARAGOULD JUNIOR HIGH Paragould, AR | 7.0 |
| PEA RIDGE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pea Ridge, AR | 7.0 |
| RAY/PHYLLIS SIMON MIDDLE SCHOO Conway, AR | 7.0 |
| GREENE CTY TECH MIDDLE SCHOOL Paragould, AR | 6.8 |
| RANDALL G LYNCH MIDDLE SCHOOL Farmington, AR | 6.8 |
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 ranks #394 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is William O. Darby Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
William O. Darby Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 William O. Darby Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, William O. Darby Middle School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.5%
- Phone
- (479) 783-4159
Resources & Links
District
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 14,060
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,459
- District Rank
- #8 of 26
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