Summary:
The city of Barling, Arkansas has only one public school, Barling Elementary School, which serves grades PK-5 and has a total enrollment of 330 students. The school is part of the Fort Smith School District, which is ranked 160 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Barling Elementary School's performance metrics across various subjects and grade levels are generally below the district and state averages. The school's statewide ranking has declined over the past three years, going from 249 out of 487 Arkansas elementary schools in 2021-2022 to 269 out of 497 in 2023-2024. Its proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are all below the district and state averages, indicating a need for improvement across multiple academic areas.
The school has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (75.45% in 2022-2023), indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Despite the school's underperformance, its per-student spending is above the state average, raising questions about the efficient use of resources and the need for targeted interventions to improve student outcomes. Additionally, the school's slightly higher-than-average student-teacher ratio may be a contributing factor to its academic struggles, as larger class sizes can make it more difficult for teachers to provide individualized attention and support.
Thank you for your feedback!