Barling Elementary School

Summary:

Barling Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 330 students in grades PK-5 in the Fort Smith School District in Barling, Arkansas. Despite spending more per student than the district average, Barling Elementary has consistently underperformed, ranking in the bottom half of Arkansas elementary schools with a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Barling Elementary's test scores lag significantly behind the Fort Smith School District and Arkansas state averages across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 36.9% of Barling students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 32.1% for the district and 33.8% for the state. Additionally, Barling Elementary has a very high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 72.85% to 75.45% over the past 3 years, indicating a high-poverty student population. Despite a relatively low student-teacher ratio, the school has struggled to improve academic outcomes.

When compared to other schools in the Fort Smith School District, Barling Elementary consistently underperforms on test scores across all subjects and grade levels. For example, Elmer H. Cook Elementary and John P. Woods Elementary have significantly higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Math, and Science. Barling Elementary's performance has remained stagnant or declined over the past several years, suggesting the school is struggling to make meaningful improvements to address the unique needs of its high-poverty student population.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1400 D St
       Barling, AR  72923


(479) 452-0211

District: Fort Smith School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
269th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,375 Help


Students who attend Barling Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    L. A. Chaffin Middle School
High:    Southside High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.4 Help
Number of students:  330

Racial breakdown:

White:
60.3%
Hispanic:
19.7%
Two or more races:
13.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  75.5% Help


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 Compare Barling Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Barling Elementary School ranks worse than 54.1% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 9th 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 47.76. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Barling Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (60.3%), Hispanic (19.7%), two or more races (13.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 75.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Barling Elementary School is 17.4. 9 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Barling Elementary School employs 18.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Barling Elementary School is $10,375, which is the 8th highest among 19 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Barling 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 Barling Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 41.79 275th 411 33.1%
2006 45.20 264th 402 34.3%
2007 55.62 218th 440 50.5%
2008 50.66 261st 439 40.5%
2009 43.69 292nd 445 34.4%
2010 50.55 275th 457 39.8%
2011 40.15 335th 471 28.9%
2012 50.39 282nd 468 39.7%
2013 54.95 251st 476 47.3%
2014 49.90 275th 471 41.6%
2015 57.71 171st 466 63.3%
2016 60.40 179th 494 63.8%
2017 66.91 143rd 485 70.5%
2018 47.48 270th 480 43.8%
2019 48.93 281st 488 42.4%
2021 60.32 205th 496 58.7%
2022 53.26 249th 487 48.9%
2023 51.72 259th 492 47.4%
2024 47.76 269th 497 45.9%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

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

Barling 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 Barling 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 352 1 64 9 1 n/a n/a 0 427
1989 406 7 60 7 3 n/a n/a 0 483
1990 372 6 56 4 4 n/a n/a 0 442
1991 349 6 54 9 0 n/a n/a 0 418
1992 329 6 38 12 5 n/a n/a 0 390
1993 312 8 36 9 8 n/a n/a 0 373
1994 308 7 27 8 9 n/a n/a 0 359
1995 265 8 18 14 6 n/a n/a 0 311
1996 265 8 18 14 6 n/a n/a 0 311
1997 275 10 11 19 6 n/a n/a 0 321
1998 294 12 9 24 8 n/a n/a 0 347
1999 301 10 13 26 6 n/a n/a 0 356
2000 306 6 12 28 11 n/a n/a 0 363
2001 313 4 11 20 4 n/a n/a 0 352
2002 331 5 10 16 4 n/a n/a 0 366
2003 331 5 10 16 4 n/a n/a 0 366
2004 291 8 6 20 5 n/a n/a 0 330
2005 297 11 13 23 2 n/a n/a 0 346
2006 296 13 17 25 6 n/a n/a 0 357
2007 277 16 14 30 7 n/a n/a 0 344
2008 254 12 15 33 9 n/a n/a 0 323
2009 250 15 18 32 7 n/a n/a 0 322
2010 232 11 21 28 20 0 3 0 315
2011 279 10 26 36 15 0 11 0 377
2012 271 7 23 52 10 0 10 0 373
2013 268 11 24 78 8 0 13 0 402
2014 290 17 21 90 11 0 14 0 443
2015 295 11 20 85 11 0 11 0 433
2016 274 15 16 80 13 0 15 0 413
2017 277 11 22 77 10 0 25 0 422
2018 250 15 15 80 10 0 26 0 396
2019 243 13 16 71 8 0 39 0 390
2020 250 10 15 68 4 0 42 0 389
2021 263 8 11 57 4 0 40 0 383
2022 219 8 12 59 2 0 45 0 345
2023 199 4 16 65 1 0 45 0 330

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 Barling Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 427 17.6 24.2 n/a
1989 483 23.0 21.0 n/a
1990 442 24.0 18.4 16.1
1991 418 19.0 22.0 21.1
1992 390 17.9 21.7 21
1993 373 19.0 19.6 25.5
1994 359 18.8 19.1 36.5
1995 311 16.8 18.5 35.7
1996 311 16.8 18.5 35.7
1997 321 19.2 16.7 32.1
1998 347 19.2 18.1 40.1
1999 356 17.4 20.5 59.6
2000 363 22.0 16.5 55.9
2001 352 23.0 15.3 52.6
2002 366 23.0 15.9 50.8
2003 366 23.0 15.9 50.8
2004 330 20.0 16.5 53.6
2005 346 26.0 13.3 55.8
2006 357 23.0 15.5 60.2
2007 344 23.0 15.0 67.7
2008 323 22.0 14.7 60.4
2009 322 21.0 15.3 63.4
2010 315 21.7 13.1 66.7
2011 377 22.1 17.0 65.5
2012 373 21.9 16.9 68.6
2013 402 26.4 15.1 65.9
2014 443 27.2 16.2 72.2
2015 433 28.0 15.4 73.4
2016 413 27.0 15.2 78
2017 422 27.2 15.5 34.4
2018 396 24.7 16.0 37.4
2019 390 20.8 18.7 71.8
2020 389 21.0 18.5 77.1
2021 383 20.3 18.7 72.8
2022 345 18.9 18.2 74.5
2023 330 18.9 17.4 75.5

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 Barling Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 427 17.6 24.2 n/a
1989 483 23.0 21.0 n/a
1990 442 24.0 18.4 16.1
1991 418 19.0 22.0 21.1
1992 390 17.9 21.7 21
1993 373 19.0 19.6 25.5
1994 359 18.8 19.1 36.5
1995 311 16.8 18.5 35.7
1996 311 16.8 18.5 35.7
1997 321 19.2 16.7 32.1
1998 347 19.2 18.1 40.1
1999 356 17.4 20.5 59.6
2000 363 22.0 16.5 55.9
2001 352 23.0 15.3 52.6
2002 366 23.0 15.9 50.8
2003 366 23.0 15.9 50.8
2004 330 20.0 16.5 53.6
2005 346 26.0 13.3 55.8
2006 357 23.0 15.5 60.2
2007 344 23.0 15.0 67.7
2008 323 22.0 14.7 60.4
2009 322 21.0 15.3 63.4
2010 315 21.7 13.1 66.7
2011 377 22.1 17.0 65.5
2012 373 21.9 16.9 68.6
2013 402 26.4 15.1 65.9
2014 443 27.2 16.2 72.2
2015 433 28.0 15.4 73.4
2016 413 27.0 15.2 78
2017 422 27.2 15.5 34.4
2018 396 24.7 16.0 37.4
2019 390 20.8 18.7 71.8
2020 389 21.0 18.5 77.1
2021 383 20.3 18.7 72.8
2022 345 18.9 18.2 74.5
2023 330 18.9 17.4 75.5

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 Barling Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,952 (18.8%) $8,422 (81.2%) $10,375

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Barling 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 281st of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 259th of 492 Elementary schools
 4.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Barling Elementary School)69.458
 11.4%
   3rd Grade English (Fort Smith School District)65.457.5
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Barling Elementary School)44.940
 4.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)54.148.5
 5.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Barling Elementary School)38.716
 22.7%
   3rd Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)30.628.1
 2.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Barling Elementary School)42.922
 20.9%
   3rd Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)32.129.4
 2.7%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Barling Elementary School)65.971.2
 5.3%
   4th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)6660.7
 5.3%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Barling Elementary School)65.855.8
 10%
   4th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.541.7
 7.8%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Barling Elementary School)26.840.4
 13.6%
   4th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)33.134
 0.9%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Barling Elementary School)31.850
 18.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)42.238.8
 3.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Barling Elementary School)69.164.5
 4.6%
   5th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)71.667.7
 3.9%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Barling Elementary School)56.461.3
 4.9%
   5th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)46.636.5
 10.1%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Barling Elementary School)41.845.2
 3.4%
   5th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)37.332
 5.3%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Barling Elementary School)34.532.3
 2.2%
   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 Students390330
 15.4%
African American134
 69.2%
American Indian81
 87.5%
Asian1616
Hispanic7165
 8.5%
Pacific Islander00
White243199
 18.1%
Two or More Races3945
 15.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients71.8%75.5%
 3.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Barling Elementary School

Students at Barling Elementary School are 60% White, 20% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 5% Asian, 1% African American.

Barling Elementary School ranks 269th of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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

Middle : L. A. Chaffin Middle School
High : Southside High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 330 students attended Barling Elementary School.


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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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