L. A. Chaffin Middle School

Summary:

Located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, L. A. Chaffin Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 725 students. This school stands out as a high-performing institution, consistently ranking among the top middle schools in the state.

L. A. Chaffin Middle School's academic performance is significantly higher than the Fort Smith School District and Arkansas state averages. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school had 53% of students proficient or better in ATLAS/English Language Arts, compared to 32.1% for the district and 33.8% for the state. Similar trends are observed in other subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Algebra. Additionally, the school has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (around 53-54%) compared to the district average of over 80% for nearby schools, and a lower student-teacher ratio (around 13-14) compared to the nearby schools, which range from 14-19 students per teacher.

The consistent high performance and positive metrics of L. A. Chaffin Middle School suggest the school has access to more resources, better teaching staff, or more effective instructional strategies that contribute to its success. This is further highlighted when compared to other middle schools in the area, such as Cedarville Middle School, East Hills Middle School, and Alma Middle School, which do not match the academic achievements of L. A. Chaffin Middle School.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 3025 Massard Rd
       Fort Smith, AR  72903


(479) 452-2226

District: Fort Smith School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
17th of 335 Arkansas Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,044 Help


Students who attend L. A. Chaffin Middle School usually attend:

High:    Southside High School

Feeder schools for L. A. Chaffin Middle School:

Elementary:    Barling Elementary School
    Bonneville Elementary School
    Euper Lane Elementary School
    John P. Woods Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.8 Help
Number of students:  725

Racial breakdown:

White:
53.4%
Hispanic:
19.0%
Two or more races:
13.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  53.7% Help


 See top rated Arkansas middle schools

 Compare L. A. Chaffin Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details L. A. Chaffin Middle School ranks better than 94.9% of middle schools in Arkansas. It also ranks first among 4 ranked middle schools in the Fort Smith School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.01. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at L. A. Chaffin Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (53.4%), Hispanic (19%), two or more races (13.9%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 53.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at L. A. Chaffin Middle School is 13.8, which is the 2nd best among 4 middle schools in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare L. A. Chaffin Middle School employs 52.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at L. A. Chaffin Middle School is $10,044, which is the lowest among 4 middle schools in the Fort Smith School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

L. A. Chaffin Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks L. A. Chaffin Middle School 17th of 335 Arkansas public middle schools. (See L. A. Chaffin Middle School in the ranking list.)

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 L. A. Chaffin Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 86.16 11th 208 94.7%
2006 86.97 9th 206 95.6%
2007 80.16 20th 225 91.1%
2008 80.61 24th 223 89.2%
2009 84.93 14th 240 94.2%
2010 88.09 6th 254 97.6%
2011 86.44 10th 264 96.2%
2012 82.40 15th 265 94.3%
2013 81.58 20th 278 92.8%
2014 85.54 9th 280 96.8%
2015 89.49 13th 275 95.3%
2016 91.07 7th 312 97.8%
2017 95.04 5th 315 98.4%
2018 93.31 8th 318 97.5%
2019 90.56 17th 319 94.7%
2021 87.20 25th 330 92.4%
2022 87.83 19th 318 94.0%
2023 91.54 11th 330 96.7%
2024 91.01 17th 335 94.9%
See the entire list of Arkansas Middle School Rankings!

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

L. A. Chaffin Middle 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 L. A. Chaffin Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 734 12 34 5 6 n/a n/a 0 791
1989 728 8 31 7 13 n/a n/a 0 787
1990 725 17 36 7 8 n/a n/a 0 793
1991 703 21 39 6 26 n/a n/a 0 795
1992 738 20 39 6 26 n/a n/a 0 829
1993 699 26 39 8 29 n/a n/a 0 801
1994 726 33 42 8 20 n/a n/a 0 829
1995 631 27 49 14 20 n/a n/a 0 741
1996 631 27 49 14 20 n/a n/a 0 741
1997 656 36 49 16 21 n/a n/a 0 778
1998 644 27 42 18 24 n/a n/a 0 755
1999 652 32 35 19 18 n/a n/a 0 756
2000 597 38 34 27 17 n/a n/a 0 713
2001 590 37 32 32 14 n/a n/a 0 705
2002 546 40 38 27 14 n/a n/a 0 665
2003 546 40 38 27 14 n/a n/a 0 665
2004 576 42 36 28 14 n/a n/a 0 696
2005 615 42 36 36 20 n/a n/a 0 749
2006 625 32 33 44 22 n/a n/a 0 756
2007 611 51 33 63 29 n/a n/a 0 787
2008 563 51 40 79 18 n/a n/a 0 751
2009 543 60 50 89 25 n/a n/a 0 767
2010 523 43 48 101 23 0 20 0 758
2011 556 45 54 105 20 2 37 0 819
2012 541 42 53 99 20 2 36 0 793
2013 513 59 64 122 9 1 71 0 839
2014 547 56 71 129 6 1 59 0 869
2015 559 68 73 117 10 1 62 0 890
2016 543 49 62 107 13 1 60 0 835
2017 504 47 54 104 13 1 55 0 778
2018 483 53 66 110 8 0 71 0 791
2019 516 60 63 116 8 0 76 0 839
2020 490 54 68 140 9 0 91 0 852
2021 480 51 72 165 8 0 87 0 863
2022 423 35 72 158 9 1 85 0 783
2023 387 26 59 138 12 2 101 0 725

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 L. A. Chaffin Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 791 42.5 18.6 n/a
1989 787 46.0 17.1 n/a
1990 793 46.0 17.2 6.3
1991 795 44.6 17.8 6.2
1992 829 48.8 16.9 5.1
1993 801 49.3 16.2 5.2
1994 829 50.1 16.5 7.2
1995 741 48.2 15.4 11.5
1996 741 48.2 15.4 11.5
1997 778 55.3 14.1 9.8
1998 755 55.3 13.7 8.9
1999 756 27.7 27.3 13
2000 713 49.0 14.6 15.3
2001 705 55.0 12.8 16.6
2002 665 50.0 13.3 17.3
2003 665 50.0 13.3 17.3
2004 696 50.0 13.9 18.2
2005 749 54.0 13.9 25.1
2006 756 51.0 14.8 32.5
2007 787 52.0 15.1 35.8
2008 751 51.0 14.7 34.9
2009 767 52.0 14.8 39.4
2010 758 48.8 14.0 40.4
2011 819 49.4 16.5 41.3
2012 793 50.8 15.5 40.6
2013 839 51.9 16.1 46.6
2014 869 54.5 15.9 46.7
2015 890 55.0 16.1 45.7
2016 835 54.0 15.4 45.5
2017 778 55.1 14.1 24.9
2018 791 56.8 13.9 26.2
2019 839 55.0 15.2 47.7
2020 852 57.7 14.7 48.4
2021 863 65.6 13.1 52.7
2022 783 63.2 12.3 51.7
2023 725 52.2 13.8 53.7

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 L. A. Chaffin Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 791 42.5 18.6 n/a
1989 787 46.0 17.1 n/a
1990 793 46.0 17.2 6.3
1991 795 44.6 17.8 6.2
1992 829 48.8 16.9 5.1
1993 801 49.3 16.2 5.2
1994 829 50.1 16.5 7.2
1995 741 48.2 15.4 11.5
1996 741 48.2 15.4 11.5
1997 778 55.3 14.1 9.8
1998 755 55.3 13.7 8.9
1999 756 27.7 27.3 13
2000 713 49.0 14.6 15.3
2001 705 55.0 12.8 16.6
2002 665 50.0 13.3 17.3
2003 665 50.0 13.3 17.3
2004 696 50.0 13.9 18.2
2005 749 54.0 13.9 25.1
2006 756 51.0 14.8 32.5
2007 787 52.0 15.1 35.8
2008 751 51.0 14.7 34.9
2009 767 52.0 14.8 39.4
2010 758 48.8 14.0 40.4
2011 819 49.4 16.5 41.3
2012 793 50.8 15.5 40.6
2013 839 51.9 16.1 46.6
2014 869 54.5 15.9 46.7
2015 890 55.0 16.1 45.7
2016 835 54.0 15.4 45.5
2017 778 55.1 14.1 24.9
2018 791 56.8 13.9 26.2
2019 839 55.0 15.2 47.7
2020 852 57.7 14.7 48.4
2021 863 65.6 13.1 52.7
2022 783 63.2 12.3 51.7
2023 725 52.2 13.8 53.7

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 L. A. Chaffin Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,432 (14.3%) $8,612 (85.7%) $10,044

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

Impact of COVID-19 on L. A. Chaffin Middle 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 17th of 319 Middle schoolsRanks 11th of 330 Middle schools
 2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)89.183.6
 5.5%
   7th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)80.570.5
 10%
   7th Grade English (Arkansas)78.375.1
 3.2%
7th Grade Math (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)7264.1
 7.9%
   7th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.739.6
 10.1%
   7th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.739.6
 8.1%
7th Grade Science (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)65.157.8
 7.3%
   7th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)43.134.9
 8.2%
   7th Grade Science (Arkansas)4338.5
 4.5%
7th Grade Reading (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)58.850.6
 8.2%
   7th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)41.831.2
 10.6%
   7th Grade Reading (Arkansas)39.234.2
 5%
8th Grade English (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)84.288.9
 4.7%
   8th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)75.167.6
 7.5%
   8th Grade English (Arkansas)74.169.2
 4.9%
8th Grade Math (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)67.462.2
 5.2%
   8th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.735.1
 14.6%
   8th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.737.9
 9.8%
8th Grade Science (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)58.257.4
 0.8%
   8th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)40.533.4
 7.1%
   8th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.536.1
 6.4%
8th Grade Reading (L. A. Chaffin Middle School)7471.5
 2.5%
   8th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)5749.4
 7.6%
   8th Grade Reading (Arkansas)53.150.8
 2.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students839725
 13.6%
African American6026
 56.7%
American Indian812
 50%
Asian6359
 6.3%
Hispanic116138
 19%
Pacific Islander02
White516387
 25%
Two or More Races76101
 32.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.7%53.7%
 6%


Schools Near L. A. Chaffin Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about L. A. Chaffin Middle School

Yes. L. A. Chaffin Middle School ranks in the top 5.1% of Arkansas middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 725 students attended L. A. Chaffin Middle School.

Students at L. A. Chaffin Middle School are 53% White, 19% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 8% Asian, 4% African American, 2% American Indian.

Students who attend L. A. Chaffin Middle School usually go on to attend Southside High 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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