Ballman Elementary School

Summary:

Ballman Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving 344 students in grades PK-5. It 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.

Ballman Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state in academic assessments, with 39% of students proficient or better in ATLAS/English Language Arts compared to 32.1% for the district and 33.8% for the state. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 15.7 to 17.5 over the past three years, which may contribute to its strong academic performance. However, Ballman has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 69.77% to 72.07%, indicating a significant proportion of economically disadvantaged students.

When compared to nearby schools, Euper Lane Elementary consistently ranks higher in the state and has better academic performance across various subjects and grade levels. Ballman Elementary has maintained a consistent 3-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past several years, in contrast to some nearby schools like Sutton Elementary and Tilles Elementary, which have lower and more variable ratings. While Ballman performs well overall, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in mathematics and science, where proficiency rates are lower than in English Language Arts and Reading.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 2601 South Q St
       Fort Smith, AR  72901


(479) 783-1280

District: Fort Smith School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
200th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,103 Help


Students who attend Ballman Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    William O. Darby Middle School
High:    Northside High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.5 Help
Number of students:  344

Racial breakdown:

White:
52.3%
Hispanic:
19.8%
Two or more races:
18.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  69.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Ballman Elementary School ranks better than 59.8% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 6th among 19 ranked elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 61.17. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Ballman Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (52.3%), Hispanic (19.8%), two or more races (18.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 69.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ballman Elementary School is 17.5. 10 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ballman Elementary School employs 19.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ballman Elementary School is $11,103, which is the 3rd highest among 19 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Ballman Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Fort Smith School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Fort Smith School District 160th of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Ballman Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 62.40 163rd 411 60.3%
2006 62.11 168th 402 58.2%
2007 49.32 264th 440 40.0%
2008 54.43 233rd 439 46.9%
2009 42.16 297th 445 33.3%
2010 45.92 300th 457 34.4%
2011 46.42 303rd 471 35.7%
2012 57.41 242nd 468 48.3%
2013 51.92 271st 476 43.1%
2014 42.34 328th 471 30.4%
2015 41.23 275th 466 41.0%
2016 50.43 264th 494 46.6%
2017 44.57 286th 485 41.0%
2018 72.13 121st 480 74.8%
2019 52.17 264th 488 45.9%
2021 58.62 218th 496 56.0%
2022 57.13 230th 487 52.8%
2023 63.07 185th 492 62.4%
2024 61.17 200th 497 59.8%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Ballman Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Ballman Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 336 8 18 1 0 n/a n/a 0 363
1989 349 5 10 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 364
1990 363 4 20 1 1 n/a n/a 0 389
1991 370 6 10 9 5 n/a n/a 0 400
1992 403 6 10 4 5 n/a n/a 0 428
1993 392 7 11 2 9 n/a n/a 0 421
1994 347 10 11 4 7 n/a n/a 0 379
1995 297 13 13 13 7 n/a n/a 0 343
1996 297 13 13 13 7 n/a n/a 0 343
1997 316 17 10 20 6 n/a n/a 0 369
1998 307 14 10 23 12 n/a n/a 0 366
1999 305 17 11 13 15 n/a n/a 0 361
2000 304 23 8 21 14 n/a n/a 0 370
2001 292 29 7 34 6 n/a n/a 0 368
2002 287 37 9 34 7 n/a n/a 0 374
2003 287 37 9 34 7 n/a n/a 0 374
2004 272 27 12 38 10 n/a n/a 0 359
2005 241 28 11 47 5 n/a n/a 0 332
2006 245 41 9 43 13 n/a n/a 0 351
2007 228 43 16 48 7 n/a n/a 0 342
2008 214 35 18 55 13 n/a n/a 0 335
2009 218 35 15 55 17 n/a n/a 0 340
2010 202 29 11 49 6 0 28 0 325
2011 206 27 11 67 6 1 26 0 344
2012 194 12 7 68 4 0 21 0 306
2013 187 25 13 71 5 2 21 0 324
2014 191 22 10 80 7 2 31 0 343
2015 142 19 11 66 13 2 20 0 273
2016 165 28 11 84 1 0 37 0 326
2017 177 32 11 89 1 0 31 0 341
2018 154 22 9 87 1 0 40 0 313
2019 175 25 12 92 4 1 43 0 352
2020 171 26 7 88 3 0 58 0 353
2021 156 26 5 80 5 0 61 0 333
2022 170 21 10 67 3 0 63 0 334
2023 180 21 6 68 4 0 65 0 344

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ballman Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 363 15.1 24.0 n/a
1989 364 19.0 19.1 n/a
1990 389 19.0 20.4 9.8
1991 400 18.2 21.9 13.3
1992 428 19.0 22.5 13.8
1993 421 19.8 21.3 19
1994 379 20.5 18.5 26.6
1995 343 19.1 18.0 33.8
1996 343 19.1 18.0 33.8
1997 369 20.4 18.1 33.3
1998 366 20.4 17.9 38.5
1999 361 17.4 20.7 44.9
2000 370 22.0 16.8 48.6
2001 368 23.0 16.0 46.2
2002 374 23.0 16.3 50.3
2003 374 23.0 16.3 50.3
2004 359 27.0 13.3 52.4
2005 332 29.0 11.4 51.5
2006 351 25.0 14.0 57.3
2007 342 26.0 13.2 67.3
2008 335 26.0 12.9 65.1
2009 340 24.0 14.2 62.4
2010 325 23.5 12.5 66.8
2011 344 21.2 16.1 70.9
2012 306 20.8 14.6 70.9
2013 324 23.0 14.0 72.5
2014 343 20.4 16.7 69.1
2015 273 18.0 15.1 70
2016 326 21.0 15.5 76.1
2017 341 20.9 16.2 32
2018 313 21.0 14.8 39.6
2019 352 19.1 18.3 75
2020 353 19.3 18.2 72.8
2021 333 21.1 15.7 72.1
2022 334 19.9 16.7 70.7
2023 344 19.6 17.5 69.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ballman Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 363 15.1 24.0 n/a
1989 364 19.0 19.1 n/a
1990 389 19.0 20.4 9.8
1991 400 18.2 21.9 13.3
1992 428 19.0 22.5 13.8
1993 421 19.8 21.3 19
1994 379 20.5 18.5 26.6
1995 343 19.1 18.0 33.8
1996 343 19.1 18.0 33.8
1997 369 20.4 18.1 33.3
1998 366 20.4 17.9 38.5
1999 361 17.4 20.7 44.9
2000 370 22.0 16.8 48.6
2001 368 23.0 16.0 46.2
2002 374 23.0 16.3 50.3
2003 374 23.0 16.3 50.3
2004 359 27.0 13.3 52.4
2005 332 29.0 11.4 51.5
2006 351 25.0 14.0 57.3
2007 342 26.0 13.2 67.3
2008 335 26.0 12.9 65.1
2009 340 24.0 14.2 62.4
2010 325 23.5 12.5 66.8
2011 344 21.2 16.1 70.9
2012 306 20.8 14.6 70.9
2013 324 23.0 14.0 72.5
2014 343 20.4 16.7 69.1
2015 273 18.0 15.1 70
2016 326 21.0 15.5 76.1
2017 341 20.9 16.2 32
2018 313 21.0 14.8 39.6
2019 352 19.1 18.3 75
2020 353 19.3 18.2 72.8
2021 333 21.1 15.7 72.1
2022 334 19.9 16.7 70.7
2023 344 19.6 17.5 69.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ballman Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,342 (21.1%) $8,761 (78.9%) $11,103

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ballman Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 264th of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 185th of 492 Elementary schools
 16.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Ballman Elementary School)61.359.2
 2.1%
   3rd Grade English (Fort Smith School District)65.457.5
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Ballman Elementary School)4955.4
 6.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)54.148.5
 5.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Ballman Elementary School)34.738.3
 3.6%
   3rd Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)30.628.1
 2.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Ballman Elementary School)26.544.9
 18.4%
   3rd Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)32.129.4
 2.7%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Ballman Elementary School)76.268
 8.2%
   4th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)6660.7
 5.3%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Ballman Elementary School)64.352
 12.3%
   4th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.541.7
 7.8%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Ballman Elementary School)38.146
 7.9%
   4th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)33.134
 0.9%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Ballman Elementary School)5046
 4%
   4th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)42.238.8
 3.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Ballman Elementary School)78.966.7
 12.2%
   5th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)71.667.7
 3.9%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Ballman Elementary School)5247
 5%
   5th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)46.636.5
 10.1%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Ballman Elementary School)34.633.3
 1.3%
   5th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)37.332
 5.3%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Ballman Elementary School)36.645.1
 8.5%
   5th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)3535.1
 0.1%
   5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)4136.8
 4.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students352344
 2.3%
African American2521
 16%
American Indian44
Asian126
 50%
Hispanic9268
 26.1%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White175180
 2.9%
Two or More Races4365
 51.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients75%69.8%
 5.2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Ballman Elementary School

Students at Ballman Elementary School are 52% White, 20% Hispanic, 19% Two or more races, 6% African American, 2% Asian, 1% American Indian.

Students who attend Ballman Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : William O. Darby Middle School
High : Northside High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 344 students attended Ballman Elementary School.

Ballman Elementary School ranks 200th of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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