High Schools in Fort Smith School District

The Fort Smith School District in Arkansas is home to three high schools: Northside High School, Southside High School, and Belle Point Alternative Center. The data analysis reveals significant differences in academic performance and school characteristics within the district, with Southside High School emerging as the standout school.

Southside High School consistently outperforms the district and state averages on most academic measures, including English Language Arts, Reading, Algebra, Geometry, and Biology proficiency rates. It has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger and is ranked among the top high schools in Arkansas. In contrast, Northside High School and Belle Point Alternative Center lag behind Southside High School and the district/state averages on academic performance, with Northside High School ranked in the bottom half of Arkansas high schools and Belle Point Alternative Center near the bottom.

The data also shows that spending per student is highest at Belle Point Alternative Center, but its academic proficiency rates are the lowest among the three schools. Additionally, the free and reduced lunch rates are highest at Belle Point Alternative Center and Northside High School, which may contribute to the performance disparities observed across the district. These findings highlight the need for the Fort Smith School District to closely examine the factors driving these differences and implement targeted interventions to support all students and promote more equitable educational opportunities.