Howard Elementary School

Summary:

Howard Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving 263 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.

Despite receiving slightly higher per-student spending than the district average, Howard Elementary consistently underperforms compared to the Fort Smith School District and the state of Arkansas in all subject areas. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 25.5% of Howard students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 32.1% in the district and 33.8% statewide. The school also has an extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 92.02% to 95.81% over the past three years, significantly higher than the district and state averages.

When comparing Howard Elementary to other nearby schools in the Fort Smith School District, it becomes clear that Howard is one of the lowest-performing schools in the area. For example, Fairview Elementary and Ballman Elementary, both within a 3-mile radius, significantly outperform Howard in test scores and other key metrics. The high concentration of economically disadvantaged students at Howard Elementary may be a significant factor contributing to the school's underperformance, suggesting that significant interventions and support may be needed to improve the educational outcomes for its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1301 N 8th St
       Fort Smith, AR  72901


(479) 783-7382

District: Fort Smith School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
362nd of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,208 Help


Students who attend Howard Elementary School usually attend:

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

Student/teacher ratio:  16.7 Help
Number of students:  263

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
58.6%
African American:
14.4%
White:
13.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  92% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Howard Elementary School ranks worse than 72.8% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 11th 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 32.72. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Howard Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (58.6%), African American (14.4%), White (13.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 92% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Howard Elementary School is 16.7, which is the 8th best among 19 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
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Compare Howard Elementary School employs 15.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Howard Elementary School is $10,208, which is the 9th highest among 19 elementary schools in the Fort Smith School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Howard 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 Howard Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 16.05 365th 411 11.2%
2006 5.35 389th 402 3.2%
2007 2.43 433rd 440 1.6%
2008 3.97 430th 439 2.1%
2009 8.38 425th 445 4.5%
2010 15.85 413th 457 9.6%
2011 15.04 427th 471 9.3%
2012 16.61 422nd 468 9.8%
2013 28.84 380th 476 20.2%
2014 18.55 417th 471 11.5%
2015 14.24 434th 466 6.9%
2016 29.71 390th 494 21.1%
2017 22.22 405th 485 16.5%
2018 14.72 424th 480 11.7%
2019 17.04 423rd 488 13.3%
2021 20.79 403rd 496 18.8%
2022 15.61 416th 487 14.6%
2023 29.95 370th 492 24.8%
2024 32.72 362nd 497 27.2%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

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

Howard 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 Howard 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 72 185 68 2 4 n/a n/a 0 331
1989 76 193 53 3 3 n/a n/a 0 328
1990 45 218 51 1 0 n/a n/a 0 315
1991 63 213 42 3 3 n/a n/a 0 324
1992 72 208 30 4 11 n/a n/a 0 325
1993 51 223 23 11 7 n/a n/a 0 315
1994 44 192 14 12 4 n/a n/a 0 266
1995 53 170 13 44 6 n/a n/a 0 286
1996 53 170 13 44 6 n/a n/a 0 286
1997 45 205 16 42 3 n/a n/a 0 311
1998 45 210 17 54 8 n/a n/a 0 334
1999 45 182 10 63 5 n/a n/a 0 305
2000 38 168 8 73 3 n/a n/a 0 290
2001 40 175 6 83 4 n/a n/a 0 308
2002 58 150 6 113 4 n/a n/a 0 331
2003 58 150 6 113 4 n/a n/a 0 331
2004 68 154 10 118 1 n/a n/a 0 351
2005 65 167 14 125 15 n/a n/a 0 386
2006 42 156 11 147 7 n/a n/a 0 363
2007 64 139 9 169 4 n/a n/a 0 385
2008 56 156 8 170 8 n/a n/a 0 398
2009 51 171 10 202 8 n/a n/a 0 442
2010 54 136 5 211 7 1 0 0 414
2011 41 95 5 231 6 0 17 0 395
2012 51 90 6 225 9 0 12 0 393
2013 56 74 7 206 5 1 10 0 359
2014 67 90 10 213 5 0 8 0 393
2015 54 74 8 221 3 0 4 0 364
2016 49 77 7 222 3 0 9 0 367
2017 49 77 4 237 4 0 13 0 384
2018 44 86 3 234 2 0 7 0 376
2019 57 83 2 231 0 0 10 0 383
2020 69 75 2 222 0 0 22 0 390
2021 57 60 1 195 0 0 21 0 334
2022 46 39 1 155 3 0 17 0 261
2023 35 38 4 154 3 0 29 0 263

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 Howard Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 331 16.0 20.6 n/a
1989 328 19.0 17.2 n/a
1990 315 18.0 17.5 75.2
1991 324 15.6 20.7 69.1
1992 325 16.4 19.8 81.5
1993 315 15.3 20.6 81.3
1994 266 14.7 18.1 87.2
1995 286 16.0 17.9 88.8
1996 286 16.0 17.9 88.8
1997 311 18.2 17.1 85.5
1998 334 18.2 18.4 85
1999 305 14.2 21.5 94.8
2000 290 21.0 13.8 91.7
2001 308 20.0 15.4 93.2
2002 331 20.0 16.6 91.8
2003 331 20.0 16.6 91.8
2004 351 24.0 14.6 92
2005 386 26.0 14.8 83.4
2006 363 23.0 15.8 83.7
2007 385 30.0 12.8 93
2008 398 25.0 15.9 95.7
2009 442 24.0 18.4 95
2010 414 26.2 14.2 96.1
2011 395 24.6 16.0 97.5
2012 393 24.8 15.8 96.4
2013 359 28.2 12.7 96.1
2014 393 27.1 14.4 97.5
2015 364 25.0 14.5 95.9
2016 367 24.0 15.2 92.4
2017 384 23.9 16.0 42.4
2018 376 23.6 15.9 46
2019 383 19.7 19.4 95.6
2020 390 21.4 18.1 95.1
2021 334 21.8 15.3 95.8
2022 261 16.8 15.4 95.8
2023 263 15.7 16.7 92

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 Howard Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 331 16.0 20.6 n/a
1989 328 19.0 17.2 n/a
1990 315 18.0 17.5 75.2
1991 324 15.6 20.7 69.1
1992 325 16.4 19.8 81.5
1993 315 15.3 20.6 81.3
1994 266 14.7 18.1 87.2
1995 286 16.0 17.9 88.8
1996 286 16.0 17.9 88.8
1997 311 18.2 17.1 85.5
1998 334 18.2 18.4 85
1999 305 14.2 21.5 94.8
2000 290 21.0 13.8 91.7
2001 308 20.0 15.4 93.2
2002 331 20.0 16.6 91.8
2003 331 20.0 16.6 91.8
2004 351 24.0 14.6 92
2005 386 26.0 14.8 83.4
2006 363 23.0 15.8 83.7
2007 385 30.0 12.8 93
2008 398 25.0 15.9 95.7
2009 442 24.0 18.4 95
2010 414 26.2 14.2 96.1
2011 395 24.6 16.0 97.5
2012 393 24.8 15.8 96.4
2013 359 28.2 12.7 96.1
2014 393 27.1 14.4 97.5
2015 364 25.0 14.5 95.9
2016 367 24.0 15.2 92.4
2017 384 23.9 16.0 42.4
2018 376 23.6 15.9 46
2019 383 19.7 19.4 95.6
2020 390 21.4 18.1 95.1
2021 334 21.8 15.3 95.8
2022 261 16.8 15.4 95.8
2023 263 15.7 16.7 92

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 Howard Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,207 (21.6%) $8,002 (78.4%) $10,208

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Howard 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 423rd of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 370th of 492 Elementary schools
 11.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Howard Elementary School)54.360.5
 6.2%
   3rd Grade English (Fort Smith School District)65.457.5
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Howard Elementary School)32.633.4
 0.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)54.148.5
 5.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Howard Elementary School)10.825
 14.2%
   3rd Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)30.628.1
 2.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Howard Elementary School)1333.3
 20.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)32.129.4
 2.7%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Howard Elementary School)4953.9
 4.9%
   4th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)6660.7
 5.3%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Howard Elementary School)37.719.2
 18.5%
   4th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)49.541.7
 7.8%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Howard Elementary School)15.130.7
 15.6%
   4th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)33.134
 0.9%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Howard Elementary School)26.434.6
 8.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)42.238.8
 3.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Howard Elementary School)72.451.2
 21.2%
   5th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)71.667.7
 3.9%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Howard Elementary School)46.831.1
 15.7%
   5th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)46.636.5
 10.1%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Howard Elementary School)3215.5
 16.5%
   5th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)37.332
 5.3%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Howard Elementary School)23.428.9
 5.5%
   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 Students383263
 31.3%
African American8338
 54.2%
American Indian03
Asian24
 100%
Hispanic231154
 33.3%
Pacific Islander00
White5735
 38.6%
Two or More Races1029
 190%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients95.6%92%
 3.5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Howard Elementary School

Howard Elementary School ranks 362nd of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 263 students attended Howard Elementary School.

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

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

Students at Howard Elementary School are 59% Hispanic, 14% African American, 13% White, 11% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 1% American Indian.


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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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