Southside High School

Summary:

Southside High School is a public high school located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,956 students. 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. Southside High School has consistently been one of the top-performing high schools in Arkansas, ranking within the top 30 schools in the state for several years.

Southside High School consistently outperforms the Fort Smith School District and the state of Arkansas in various academic assessments, including ATLAS and ACT Aspire. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 40.4% of 10th-grade students at Southside High School were proficient or better in ATLAS/English Language Arts, compared to 30% for the Fort Smith School District and 31.7% for the state. Additionally, Southside High School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 8.5 to 10.5 over the past three school years, which is lower than the nearby Northside High School (12.1) and the state average.

The lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Southside High School (43.89% to 47.44%) compared to Northside High School (73.74%) and the state average suggests that the school may have a more advantaged student population, which could contribute to its strong academic performance. Additionally, Southside High School spends $12,274 per student, which is higher than the state average and the nearby Northside High School ($11,279), indicating that the school may have access to more resources and funding to support student success.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 4100 Gary St
       Fort Smith, AR  72903


(479) 646-7371

District: Fort Smith School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
71st of 305 Arkansas High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,274 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  10.5 Help
Number of students:  1,956

Racial breakdown:

White:
56.9%
Hispanic:
18.5%
Two or more races:
9.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  47.4% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Southside High School ranks better than 76.7% of high schools in Arkansas. It also ranks first among 3 ranked high schools in the Fort Smith School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 68.05. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (56.9%), Hispanic (18.5%), two or more races (9.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 47.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Fort Smith School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southside High School is 10.5. 1 high schools in the Fort Smith School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Southside High School employs 185.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southside High School is $12,274. 1 high schools in the Fort Smith School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Southside High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Southside High School 71st of 305 Arkansas public high schools. (See Southside High 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.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Southside High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 53.94 88th 232 62.1%
2007 51.16 106th 258 58.9%
2008 72.48 28th 256 89.1%
2009 75.09 26th 261 90.0%
2010 71.83 32nd 262 87.8%
2011 72.11 29th 266 89.1%
2012 78.95 14th 266 94.7%
2013 76.35 24th 271 91.1%
2014 71.04 36th 268 86.6%
2015 74.02 24th 267 91.0%
2016 90.85 11th 269 95.9%
2017 89.31 14th 264 94.7%
2018 88.07 14th 263 94.7%
2019 86.18 16th 282 94.3%
2021 86.71 16th 290 94.5%
2022 79.78 28th 282 90.1%
2023 83.45 31st 295 89.5%
2024 68.05 71st 305 76.7%
See the entire list of Arkansas High School Rankings!

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

Southside High 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: 3.5)
50%

0%

0%

50%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, May 8, 2023

Open Quote Excellent school and teachers. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Southside High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1426 6 12 5 15 n/a n/a 0 1464
1989 1353 6 23 5 9 n/a n/a 0 1396
1990 1309 12 22 1 5 n/a n/a 0 1349
1991 1276 13 20 3 3 n/a n/a 0 1315
1992 1318 21 22 10 10 n/a n/a 0 1381
1993 1373 46 36 10 27 n/a n/a 0 1492
1994 1321 40 41 12 56 n/a n/a 0 1470
1995 1272 35 54 17 61 n/a n/a 0 1439
1996 1272 35 54 17 61 n/a n/a 0 1439
1997 1299 48 64 13 47 n/a n/a 0 1471
1998 1313 41 64 22 47 n/a n/a 0 1487
1999 1292 48 66 29 46 n/a n/a 0 1481
2000 1301 44 73 22 43 n/a n/a 0 1483
2001 1294 48 70 27 44 n/a n/a 0 1483
2002 1259 75 65 32 38 n/a n/a 0 1469
2003 1259 75 65 32 38 n/a n/a 0 1469
2004 1268 86 70 34 38 n/a n/a 0 1496
2005 1232 73 87 41 40 n/a n/a 0 1473
2006 1238 81 91 47 44 n/a n/a 0 1501
2007 1234 101 100 53 43 n/a n/a 0 1531
2008 1249 105 91 70 46 n/a n/a 0 1561
2009 1227 103 80 67 41 n/a n/a 0 1518
2010 1137 114 81 109 50 0 50 0 1541
2011 1129 103 80 139 33 0 63 0 1547
2012 1104 94 86 155 33 3 82 0 1557
2013 1074 98 111 175 19 1 119 0 1597
2014 1020 71 123 173 20 1 179 0 1587
2015 969 82 130 196 23 2 159 0 1561
2016 973 81 128 196 24 1 174 0 1577
2017 997 83 120 213 10 1 146 0 1570
2018 985 80 117 199 11 1 144 0 1537
2019 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0
2020 821 82 112 163 14 0 150 0 1342
2021 822 74 118 179 15 0 150 0 1358
2022 1040 99 145 295 24 0 191 0 1794
2023 1113 106 160 362 21 0 194 0 1956

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 Southside High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1464 78.5 18.6 n/a
1989 1396 83.0 16.8 n/a
1990 1349 81.0 16.6 1.2
1991 1315 77.2 17.0 1.3
1992 1381 77.9 17.7 2.3
1993 1492 81.1 18.4 3.7
1994 1470 88.0 16.7 3.6
1995 1439 84.1 17.1 4
1996 1439 84.1 17.1 4
1997 1471 91.3 16.1 3.6
1998 1487 91.3 16.3 3.5
1999 1481 53.7 27.6 4.9
2000 1483 91.0 16.3 4.8
2001 1483 101.0 14.7 5.8
2002 1469 93.0 15.8 8
2003 1469 93.0 15.8 8
2004 1496 90.0 16.6 9.2
2005 1473 93.0 15.8 11.3
2006 1501 99.0 15.2 19.6
2007 1531 101.0 15.2 19.1
2008 1561 101.0 15.5 21
2009 1518 102.0 14.9 23.8
2010 1541 94.9 14.6 29.2
2011 1547 98.3 15.7 34.1
2012 1557 99.2 15.6 35.1
2013 1597 102.4 15.5 36.8
2014 1587 102.1 15.5 37.5
2015 1561 106.0 14.7 40.2
2016 1577 107.0 14.7 39.5
2017 1570 110.6 14.1 22.3
2018 1537 111.5 13.7 24.6
2019 0 n/a n/a n/a
2020 1342 171.9 7.8 42.4
2021 1358 158.1 8.5 43.9
2022 1794 192.7 9.3 47.4
2023 1956 185.8 10.5 47.4

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 Southside High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1464 78.5 18.6 n/a
1989 1396 83.0 16.8 n/a
1990 1349 81.0 16.6 1.2
1991 1315 77.2 17.0 1.3
1992 1381 77.9 17.7 2.3
1993 1492 81.1 18.4 3.7
1994 1470 88.0 16.7 3.6
1995 1439 84.1 17.1 4
1996 1439 84.1 17.1 4
1997 1471 91.3 16.1 3.6
1998 1487 91.3 16.3 3.5
1999 1481 53.7 27.6 4.9
2000 1483 91.0 16.3 4.8
2001 1483 101.0 14.7 5.8
2002 1469 93.0 15.8 8
2003 1469 93.0 15.8 8
2004 1496 90.0 16.6 9.2
2005 1473 93.0 15.8 11.3
2006 1501 99.0 15.2 19.6
2007 1531 101.0 15.2 19.1
2008 1561 101.0 15.5 21
2009 1518 102.0 14.9 23.8
2010 1541 94.9 14.6 29.2
2011 1547 98.3 15.7 34.1
2012 1557 99.2 15.6 35.1
2013 1597 102.4 15.5 36.8
2014 1587 102.1 15.5 37.5
2015 1561 106.0 14.7 40.2
2016 1577 107.0 14.7 39.5
2017 1570 110.6 14.1 22.3
2018 1537 111.5 13.7 24.6
2019 0 n/a n/a n/a
2020 1342 171.9 7.8 42.4
2021 1358 158.1 8.5 43.9
2022 1794 192.7 9.3 47.4
2023 1956 185.8 10.5 47.4

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 Southside High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,591 (13.0%) $10,683 (87.0%) $12,274

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Southside High 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 16th of 282 High schoolsRanks 31st of 295 High schools
 4.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English (Southside High School)69.161.2
 7.9%
   10th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)59.548
 11.5%
   10th Grade English (Arkansas)59.654.4
 5.2%
10th Grade Math (Southside High School)41.829.4
 12.4%
   10th Grade Math (Fort Smith School District)30.721.8
 8.9%
   10th Grade Math (Arkansas)29.220.4
 8.8%
10th Grade Science (Southside High School)4738.3
 8.7%
   10th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)3627.3
 8.7%
   10th Grade Science (Arkansas)3328.6
 4.4%
10th Grade Reading (Southside High School)42.247.6
 5.4%
   10th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)34.535.2
 0.7%
   10th Grade Reading (Arkansas)32.235.9
 3.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Southside High School)28.132.1
 4%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Fort Smith School District)21.122.5
 1.4%
11th Grade English (Southside High School)64.261.4
 2.8%
   11th Grade English (Fort Smith School District)4849.2
 1.2%
11th Grade Reading (Southside High School)44.540.4
 4.1%
   11th Grade Reading (Fort Smith School District)33.433.1
 0.3%
11th Grade Science (Southside High School)34.135.6
 1.5%
   11th Grade Science (Fort Smith School District)24.126.1
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students01956
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Southside High School

Southside High School ranks 71st of 305 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Southside High School are 57% White, 19% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 8% Asian, 5% African American, 1% American Indian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,956 students attended 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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