Cavanaugh Elementary School

Summary:

Cavanaugh Elementary School is a public elementary school in the Fort Smith School District in Arkansas, serving grades PK-5 with an enrollment of 310 students.

Cavanaugh Elementary consistently outperforms the Fort Smith School District and the state of Arkansas in academic proficiency, with 42.2% of its students proficient or better in English Language Arts compared to 32.1% for the district and 33.8% for the state. Despite having a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 64.16% to 66.45%, the school's spending per student is lower than many nearby schools at $9,412 per student. Cavanaugh also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 15.1 to 15.9 over the past 3 years, which may contribute to its academic success.

Compared to nearby schools, Cavanaugh Elementary stands out as a relatively high-performing school within the Fort Smith School District, which is generally rated as a lower-performing district. The school's strong academic performance, despite its higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students, suggests it is effectively supporting its students and helping them achieve at high levels, even with relatively limited resources.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1025 School St
       Fort Smith, AR  72908


(479) 646-1131

District: Fort Smith School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
151st of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,412 Help


Students who attend Cavanaugh Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Ramsey Middle School
High:    Southside High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  310

Racial breakdown:

White:
54.2%
Hispanic:
16.8%
Two or more races:
13.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  66.5% Help


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 Compare Cavanaugh Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Cavanaugh Elementary School ranks better than 69.6% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 4th 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 67.83. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Cavanaugh Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (54.2%), Hispanic (16.8%), two or more races (13.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 66.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cavanaugh Elementary School is 15.9, which is the 3rd best among 19 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Cavanaugh Elementary School employs 19.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cavanaugh Elementary School is $9,412. 13 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Cavanaugh 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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Your rating for Cavanaugh Elementary School?

Rank History for Cavanaugh Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 50.22 238th 411 42.1%
2006 49.68 242nd 402 39.8%
2007 58.63 201st 440 54.3%
2008 69.61 142nd 439 67.7%
2009 69.98 132nd 445 70.3%
2010 79.37 65th 457 85.8%
2011 71.96 118th 471 74.9%
2012 80.16 46th 468 90.2%
2013 78.35 64th 476 86.6%
2014 71.18 117th 471 75.2%
2015 79.28 72nd 466 84.5%
2016 62.76 161st 494 67.4%
2017 81.90 60th 485 87.6%
2018 68.51 149th 480 69.0%
2019 72.87 115th 488 76.4%
2021 73.11 115th 496 76.8%
2022 69.27 137th 487 71.9%
2023 62.56 191st 492 61.2%
2024 67.83 151st 497 69.6%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

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

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






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

by a parent
Sunday, July 16, 2017

Open Quote We love our school! Close Quote


by a student
Thursday, October 28, 2010

Open Quote it is an amazing school. the best ever Close Quote



Enrollment information for Cavanaugh 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 214 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 216
1989 183 2 n/a 2 n/a n/a n/a 0 187
1990 206 5 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 212
1991 172 3 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 176
1992 190 1 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 195
1993 159 5 2 0 6 n/a n/a 0 172
1994 191 3 0 0 10 n/a n/a 0 204
1995 196 2 3 3 6 n/a n/a 0 210
1996 196 2 3 3 6 n/a n/a 0 210
1997 190 13 3 4 5 n/a n/a 0 215
1998 171 19 2 3 10 n/a n/a 0 205
1999 164 19 3 3 8 n/a n/a 0 197
2000 148 17 2 1 8 n/a n/a 0 176
2001 147 13 0 4 8 n/a n/a 0 172
2002 134 15 0 2 9 n/a n/a 0 160
2003 134 15 0 2 9 n/a n/a 0 160
2004 124 18 0 2 10 n/a n/a 0 154
2005 105 13 2 5 16 n/a n/a 0 141
2006 108 17 4 9 14 n/a n/a 0 152
2007 115 23 5 11 11 n/a n/a 0 165
2008 136 24 18 8 12 n/a n/a 0 198
2009 131 15 18 16 15 n/a n/a 0 195
2010 121 20 20 14 10 1 25 0 211
2011 129 30 18 16 6 1 23 0 223
2012 138 24 20 27 5 0 29 0 243
2013 137 32 24 29 4 1 27 0 254
2014 143 29 25 37 2 0 25 0 261
2015 150 31 24 39 4 1 25 0 274
2016 167 27 21 47 7 1 26 0 296
2017 181 33 22 52 6 1 30 0 325
2018 168 44 20 48 9 1 28 0 318
2019 202 59 18 60 4 1 28 0 372
2020 224 56 21 52 4 1 23 0 381
2021 209 38 18 34 5 1 27 0 332
2022 178 29 18 30 4 0 27 0 286
2023 168 28 16 52 4 0 42 0 310

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 Cavanaugh Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 216 8.9 24.2 n/a
1989 187 13.0 14.3 n/a
1990 212 13.0 16.3 27.8
1991 176 8.4 20.9 21.6
1992 195 11.0 17.7 30.3
1993 172 9.7 17.7 25.6
1994 204 11.1 18.4 27
1995 210 10.1 20.8 39
1996 210 10.1 20.8 39
1997 215 11.6 18.5 44.7
1998 205 11.6 17.7 52.7
1999 197 9.8 20.1 62.4
2000 176 10.0 17.6 67
2001 172 12.0 14.3 74.4
2002 160 10.0 16.0 68.8
2003 160 10.0 16.0 68.8
2004 154 14.0 11.0 75.3
2005 141 14.0 10.1 73
2006 152 16.0 9.5 67.8
2007 165 18.0 9.2 76.4
2008 198 16.0 12.4 75.8
2009 195 14.0 13.9 71.3
2010 211 17.2 11.1 67.3
2011 223 14.4 15.4 70.9
2012 243 16.0 15.1 73.7
2013 254 18.3 13.8 73.2
2014 261 17.3 15.0 65.1
2015 274 19.0 14.4 61.3
2016 296 20.0 14.8 61.8
2017 325 20.6 15.7 28.9
2018 318 22.6 14.0 35.8
2019 372 22.4 16.5 64.5
2020 381 21.3 17.8 66.7
2021 332 21.8 15.1 64.2
2022 286 18.3 15.6 65.4
2023 310 19.4 15.9 66.5

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 Cavanaugh Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 216 8.9 24.2 n/a
1989 187 13.0 14.3 n/a
1990 212 13.0 16.3 27.8
1991 176 8.4 20.9 21.6
1992 195 11.0 17.7 30.3
1993 172 9.7 17.7 25.6
1994 204 11.1 18.4 27
1995 210 10.1 20.8 39
1996 210 10.1 20.8 39
1997 215 11.6 18.5 44.7
1998 205 11.6 17.7 52.7
1999 197 9.8 20.1 62.4
2000 176 10.0 17.6 67
2001 172 12.0 14.3 74.4
2002 160 10.0 16.0 68.8
2003 160 10.0 16.0 68.8
2004 154 14.0 11.0 75.3
2005 141 14.0 10.1 73
2006 152 16.0 9.5 67.8
2007 165 18.0 9.2 76.4
2008 198 16.0 12.4 75.8
2009 195 14.0 13.9 71.3
2010 211 17.2 11.1 67.3
2011 223 14.4 15.4 70.9
2012 243 16.0 15.1 73.7
2013 254 18.3 13.8 73.2
2014 261 17.3 15.0 65.1
2015 274 19.0 14.4 61.3
2016 296 20.0 14.8 61.8
2017 325 20.6 15.7 28.9
2018 318 22.6 14.0 35.8
2019 372 22.4 16.5 64.5
2020 381 21.3 17.8 66.7
2021 332 21.8 15.1 64.2
2022 286 18.3 15.6 65.4
2023 310 19.4 15.9 66.5

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 Cavanaugh Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,963 (20.9%) $7,449 (79.1%) $9,412

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Cavanaugh 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 115th of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 191st of 492 Elementary schools
 15.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Cavanaugh Elementary School)7068.1
 1.9%
   3rd Grade English (Fort Smith School District)65.457.5
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Cavanaugh Elementary School)6263.8
 1.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)54.148.5
 5.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Cavanaugh Elementary School)4434.1
 9.9%
   3rd Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)30.628.1
 2.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Cavanaugh Elementary School)5425.6
 28.4%
   3rd Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)32.129.4
 2.7%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Cavanaugh Elementary School)77.266
 11.2%
   4th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)6660.7
 5.3%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Cavanaugh Elementary School)59.756
 3.7%
   4th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.541.7
 7.8%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Cavanaugh Elementary School)54.436
 18.4%
   4th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)33.134
 0.9%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Cavanaugh Elementary School)57.936
 21.9%
   4th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)42.238.8
 3.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Cavanaugh Elementary School)89.776.4
 13.3%
   5th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)71.667.7
 3.9%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Cavanaugh Elementary School)51.760.8
 9.1%
   5th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)46.636.5
 10.1%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Cavanaugh Elementary School)58.639.2
 19.4%
   5th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)37.332
 5.3%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Cavanaugh Elementary School)56.943.1
 13.8%
   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 Students372310
 16.7%
African American5928
 52.5%
American Indian44
Asian1816
 11.1%
Hispanic6052
 13.3%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White202168
 16.8%
Two or More Races2842
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients64.5%66.5%
 1.9%


Schools Near Cavanaugh Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Cavanaugh Elementary School

Students at Cavanaugh Elementary School are 54% White, 17% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 9% African American, 5% Asian, 1% American Indian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 310 students attended Cavanaugh Elementary School.

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

Middle : Ramsey Middle School
High : Southside High School

Cavanaugh Elementary School ranks 151st 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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