William O. Darby Middle School

Summary:

William O. Darby Middle School is a public middle school in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving around 700 students in grades 6-8. The school 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.

William O. Darby Middle School consistently underperforms compared to the Fort Smith School District and the state of Arkansas across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Reading, and Mathematics were around 20-25%, while the district and state averages were around 32-37%. Over the past 10 years, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Arkansas middle schools, with a ranking between 199 and 275 out of 312-335 schools. It has maintained a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of this period, indicating it is one of the lower-performing middle schools in the state. The school has very high rates of free and reduced-price lunch recipients, ranging from 86.71% to 91.8% over the past 3 years, suggesting it serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population. The student-teacher ratio at William O. Darby Middle School is relatively high, ranging from 12.7 to 14.6 over the past 3 years, compared to the nearby schools which have ratios around 11-19.

When comparing William O. Darby Middle School to other middle schools in the Fort Smith area, it is clear the school is an outlier in terms of academic performance. For example, L.A. Chaffin Middle School, which is also in the Fort Smith School District, consistently ranks in the top 5-10% of Arkansas middle schools and has proficiency rates around 50-75% in core subjects. While William O. Darby Middle School has struggled for many years, the data indicates there is room for improvement. With targeted interventions, additional resources, and a focus on best practices, the school has the potential to raise student achievement and move up in the state rankings.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 616 N 14th St
       Fort Smith, AR  72901


(479) 783-4159

District: Fort Smith School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
242nd of 335 Arkansas Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,760 Help


Students who attend William O. Darby Middle School usually attend:

High:    Northside High School

Feeder schools for William O. Darby Middle School:

Elementary:    Ballman Elementary School
    Howard Elementary School
    Park Elementary School
    Tilles Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  720

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
49.9%
White:
29.4%
African American:
10.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  85.6% Help


 See top rated Arkansas middle schools

 Compare William O. Darby Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details William O. Darby Middle School ranks worse than 72.2% of middle schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 3rd among 4 ranked middle schools in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 31.13. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (49.9%), White (29.4%), African American (10%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 85.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at William O. Darby Middle School is 14.4, which is the 2nd best among 4 middle schools in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare William O. Darby Middle School employs 49.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at William O. Darby Middle School is $12,760, which is the highest among 4 middle schools in the Fort Smith School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

William O. Darby Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks William O. Darby Middle School 242nd of 335 Arkansas public middle schools. (See William O. Darby 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 William O. Darby Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 11.55 193rd 208 7.2%
2006 8.56 195th 206 5.3%
2007 16.37 205th 225 8.9%
2008 11.19 205th 223 8.1%
2009 13.92 219th 240 8.8%
2010 21.61 223rd 254 12.2%
2011 16.18 238th 264 9.8%
2012 18.79 233rd 265 12.1%
2013 30.52 221st 278 20.5%
2014 37.34 203rd 280 27.5%
2015 21.62 231st 275 16.0%
2016 25.36 258th 312 17.3%
2017 41.57 199th 315 36.8%
2018 28.19 246th 318 22.6%
2019 29.09 246th 319 22.9%
2021 25.78 271st 330 17.9%
2022 23.63 261st 318 17.9%
2023 22.96 275th 330 16.7%
2024 31.13 242nd 335 27.8%
See the entire list of Arkansas Middle School Rankings!

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

William O. Darby Middle 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: 4.5)
50%

50%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Monday, May 28, 2018

Open Quote Great school and teachers. They really care about their students Close Quote



Enrollment information for William O. Darby 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 418 130 85 5 14 n/a n/a 0 652
1989 406 154 83 5 9 n/a n/a 0 657
1990 405 136 82 6 7 n/a n/a 0 636
1991 391 109 74 13 8 n/a n/a 0 595
1992 389 109 67 10 4 n/a n/a 0 579
1993 381 137 64 11 10 n/a n/a 0 603
1994 427 153 56 18 18 n/a n/a 0 672
1995 406 183 64 40 26 n/a n/a 0 719
1996 406 183 64 40 26 n/a n/a 0 719
1997 371 220 61 70 18 n/a n/a 0 740
1998 342 208 65 75 8 n/a n/a 0 698
1999 306 178 56 101 21 n/a n/a 0 662
2000 322 196 47 112 22 n/a n/a 0 699
2001 298 201 44 131 27 n/a n/a 0 701
2002 248 189 29 138 18 n/a n/a 0 622
2003 248 189 29 138 18 n/a n/a 0 622
2004 223 178 35 136 20 n/a n/a 0 592
2005 204 169 31 161 16 n/a n/a 0 581
2006 194 159 33 195 13 n/a n/a 0 594
2007 204 149 26 216 22 n/a n/a 0 617
2008 186 152 28 204 16 n/a n/a 0 586
2009 158 149 30 207 17 n/a n/a 0 561
2010 169 120 26 251 13 0 0 0 579
2011 177 99 24 262 20 0 13 0 595
2012 180 113 24 267 17 0 21 0 622
2013 171 78 13 274 18 1 32 0 587
2014 165 73 9 308 19 3 31 0 608
2015 175 89 8 325 15 3 25 0 640
2016 165 81 11 366 12 5 33 0 673
2017 185 67 7 358 10 3 39 0 669
2018 188 65 9 362 8 5 33 0 670
2019 162 82 7 331 6 4 36 0 628
2020 159 86 7 363 5 4 29 0 653
2021 184 97 7 360 6 2 39 0 695
2022 191 110 7 348 3 1 41 0 701
2023 193 89 12 351 4 1 50 0 700
2024 212 72 13 359 6 1 57 0 720

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 William O. Darby Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 652 38.3 17.0 n/a
1989 657 46.0 14.2 n/a
1990 636 45.0 14.1 34.6
1991 595 44.7 13.3 34.3
1992 579 43.3 13.3 39.9
1993 603 43.8 13.8 41.6
1994 672 43.3 15.5 46.4
1995 719 44.8 16.0 48
1996 719 44.8 16.0 48
1997 740 48.8 15.2 49.2
1998 698 48.8 14.3 52
1999 662 25.5 26.0 64
2000 699 54.0 12.9 74
2001 701 58.0 12.1 67.5
2002 622 49.0 12.7 69.5
2003 622 49.0 12.7 69.5
2004 592 50.0 11.8 72.1
2005 581 53.0 11.0 77.1
2006 594 54.0 11.0 86.2
2007 617 56.0 11.0 92.5
2008 586 57.0 10.3 92.8
2009 561 56.0 10.0 90.9
2010 579 47.9 10.9 93.3
2011 595 46.6 12.7 92.8
2012 622 46.7 13.3 92.9
2013 587 48.9 11.9 94
2014 608 48.1 12.6 95.7
2015 640 50.0 12.8 94.1
2016 673 53.0 12.6 94.1
2017 669 53.5 12.5 41.6
2018 670 55.7 12.0 48.4
2019 628 46.8 13.4 92.8
2020 653 53.3 12.2 92.3
2021 695 52.5 13.2 91.8
2022 701 54.9 12.7 89.9
2023 700 47.7 14.6 86.7
2024 720 49.6 14.4 85.6

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 William O. Darby Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 652 38.3 17.0 n/a
1989 657 46.0 14.2 n/a
1990 636 45.0 14.1 34.6
1991 595 44.7 13.3 34.3
1992 579 43.3 13.3 39.9
1993 603 43.8 13.8 41.6
1994 672 43.3 15.5 46.4
1995 719 44.8 16.0 48
1996 719 44.8 16.0 48
1997 740 48.8 15.2 49.2
1998 698 48.8 14.3 52
1999 662 25.5 26.0 64
2000 699 54.0 12.9 74
2001 701 58.0 12.1 67.5
2002 622 49.0 12.7 69.5
2003 622 49.0 12.7 69.5
2004 592 50.0 11.8 72.1
2005 581 53.0 11.0 77.1
2006 594 54.0 11.0 86.2
2007 617 56.0 11.0 92.5
2008 586 57.0 10.3 92.8
2009 561 56.0 10.0 90.9
2010 579 47.9 10.9 93.3
2011 595 46.6 12.7 92.8
2012 622 46.7 13.3 92.9
2013 587 48.9 11.9 94
2014 608 48.1 12.6 95.7
2015 640 50.0 12.8 94.1
2016 673 53.0 12.6 94.1
2017 669 53.5 12.5 41.6
2018 670 55.7 12.0 48.4
2019 628 46.8 13.4 92.8
2020 653 53.3 12.2 92.3
2021 695 52.5 13.2 91.8
2022 701 54.9 12.7 89.9
2023 700 47.7 14.6 86.7
2024 720 49.6 14.4 85.6

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 William O. Darby Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,373 (18.6%) $10,387 (81.4%) $12,760

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

Impact of COVID-19 on William O. Darby 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 246th of 319 Middle schoolsRanks 275th of 330 Middle schools
 6.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English (William O. Darby Middle School)76.762.5
 14.2%
   7th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)80.570.5
 10%
   7th Grade English (Arkansas)78.375.1
 3.2%
7th Grade Math (William O. Darby Middle School)35.723.8
 11.9%
   7th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.739.6
 10.1%
   7th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.739.6
 8.1%
7th Grade Science (William O. Darby Middle School)28.621.1
 7.5%
   7th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)43.134.9
 8.2%
   7th Grade Science (Arkansas)4338.5
 4.5%
7th Grade Reading (William O. Darby Middle School)25.420.3
 5.1%
   7th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)41.831.2
 10.6%
   7th Grade Reading (Arkansas)39.234.2
 5%
8th Grade English (William O. Darby Middle School)68.557.6
 10.9%
   8th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)75.167.6
 7.5%
   8th Grade English (Arkansas)74.169.2
 4.9%
8th Grade Math (William O. Darby Middle School)32.118.9
 13.2%
   8th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.735.1
 14.6%
   8th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.737.9
 9.8%
8th Grade Science (William O. Darby Middle School)30.621
 9.6%
   8th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)40.533.4
 7.1%
   8th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.536.1
 6.4%
8th Grade Reading (William O. Darby Middle School)42.643.5
 0.9%
   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 Students628700
 11.5%
African American8289
 8.5%
American Indian64
 33.3%
Asian712
 71.4%
Hispanic331351
 6%
Pacific Islander41
 75%
White162193
 19.1%
Two or More Races3650
 38.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients92.8%86.7%
 6.1%


Schools Near William O. Darby Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about William O. Darby Middle School

Students who attend William O. Darby Middle School usually go on to attend Northside High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 720 students attended William O. Darby Middle School.

Students at William O. Darby Middle School are 50% Hispanic, 29% White, 10% African American, 8% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

William O. Darby Middle School ranks 242nd of 335 Arkansas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star 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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