Hot Springs Junior Academy

Summary:

Hot Springs Junior Academy is a public magnet charter middle school serving 815 students in grades 7-9 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which is part of the Hot Springs School District.

Despite spending $11,347 per student, which is higher than nearby schools, Hot Springs Junior Academy has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Arkansas middle schools over the past decade, with proficiency rates significantly below state averages. In 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates were just 23.6% in English Language Arts, 18.5% in Mathematics, and 27.1% in Science, compared to state averages of 33.8%, 36.4%, and 35.6%, respectively. This poor performance is likely due to the school's very high poverty rates, with 99.88% to 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch over the past three years.

When compared to nearby middle schools, such as Fountain Lake Middle School Cobra Digital Prep Academy, which is only 7.72 miles away and has significantly higher proficiency rates and a much higher ranking (134th out of 335 schools), it becomes clear that Hot Springs Junior Academy is an outlier in terms of academic performance. This raises concerns about the overall quality of education in the Hot Springs School District, which is ranked 183 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.


Detail:

Public, Magnet, Charter 7-9

 701 Main St
       Hot Springs, AR  71913


(501) 624-5228

District: Hot Springs School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
238th of 335 Arkansas Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,347 Help


Students who attend Hot Springs Junior Academy usually attend:

High:    Hot Springs World Class High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.5 Help
Number of students:  795

Racial breakdown:

African American:
37.2%
White:
28.6%
Hispanic:
22.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Hot Springs Junior Academy ranks worse than 71% of middle schools in Arkansas. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 32.09. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Hot Springs Junior Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (37.2%), White (28.6%), Hispanic (22.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Hot Springs Junior Academy is 13.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare Hot Springs Junior Academy employs 58.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Hot Springs Junior Academy is $11,347.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Hot Springs Junior Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Hot Springs Junior Academy 238th of 335 Arkansas public middle schools. (See Hot Springs Junior Academy in the ranking list.)

Hot Springs School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Hot Springs School District 183rd of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Hot Springs Junior Academy

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 53.50 107th 208 48.6%
2006 42.22 140th 206 32.0%
2007 49.78 131st 225 41.8%
2008 39.06 161st 223 27.8%
2009 27.59 198th 240 17.5%
2010 28.49 209th 254 17.7%
2011 34.20 202nd 264 23.5%
2012 27.11 222nd 265 16.2%
2013 17.85 243rd 278 12.6%
2014 16.98 252nd 280 10.0%
2015 23.72 223rd 275 18.9%
2016 34.40 229th 312 26.6%
2017 29.01 246th 315 21.9%
2019 27.24 249th 319 21.9%
2021 32.38 242nd 330 26.7%
2022 28.71 247th 318 22.3%
2023 27.51 261st 330 20.9%
2024 32.09 238th 335 29.0%
See the entire list of Arkansas Middle School Rankings!

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

Hot Springs Junior Academy 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 Hot Springs Junior Academy

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 412 189 0 1 2 n/a n/a 0 604
1989 352 185 2 3 n/a n/a n/a 0 542
1990 328 189 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 524
1991 182 87 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 273
1992 157 98 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 260
1993 473 351 3 7 0 n/a n/a 0 834
1994 481 347 2 6 1 n/a n/a 0 837
1995 471 303 2 13 2 n/a n/a 0 791
1996 471 303 2 13 2 n/a n/a 0 791
1997 448 306 6 25 2 n/a n/a 0 787
1998 402 329 3 25 1 n/a n/a 0 760
1999 442 332 4 31 3 n/a n/a 0 812
2000 443 331 3 31 4 n/a n/a 0 812
2001 493 379 4 33 4 n/a n/a 0 913
2002 449 396 5 63 4 n/a n/a 0 917
2003 449 396 5 63 4 n/a n/a 0 917
2004 461 385 10 57 3 n/a n/a 0 916
2005 321 358 7 54 0 n/a n/a 0 740
2006 314 355 7 56 0 n/a n/a 0 732
2007 282 318 9 69 1 n/a n/a 0 679
2008 299 302 7 63 5 n/a n/a 0 676
2009 281 329 8 63 7 n/a n/a 0 688
2010 178 210 4 38 3 0 1 0 434
2011 221 217 1 46 6 1 2 0 494
2012 231 212 4 47 3 2 2 0 501
2013 199 204 7 60 2 1 10 0 483
2014 188 220 7 82 2 3 14 0 516
2015 196 223 8 92 5 2 20 0 546
2016 173 218 6 85 5 0 20 0 507
2017 219 199 1 88 2 0 29 0 538
2018 200 176 3 88 3 1 30 0 501
2019 175 164 3 102 2 1 35 0 482
2020 156 162 6 112 3 0 39 0 478
2021 252 268 9 161 4 0 77 0 771
2022 246 301 7 178 4 0 84 0 820
2023 247 302 6 168 2 0 90 0 815
2024 227 296 8 178 2 0 84 0 795

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 Hot Springs Junior Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 604 37.9 15.9 n/a
1989 542 40.0 13.5 n/a
1990 524 39.0 13.4 38
1991 273 18.8 14.5 43.2
1992 260 17.7 14.6 45.8
1993 834 48.7 17.1 47.5
1994 837 49.8 16.8 52.1
1995 791 47.8 16.5 58.4
1996 791 47.8 16.5 58.4
1997 787 48.2 16.3 54.3
1998 760 48.2 15.8 59.7
1999 812 24.3 33.4 56.4
2000 812 77.0 10.5 63.4
2001 913 98.0 9.3 66.6
2002 917 75.0 12.2 68.5
2003 917 75.0 12.2 68.5
2004 916 67.0 13.7 73.8
2005 740 61.0 12.1 78.8
2006 732 69.0 10.6 80.7
2007 679 65.0 10.4 88.1
2008 676 60.0 11.3 78.6
2009 688 60.0 11.5 76.7
2010 434 49.1 9.8 75.3
2011 494 41.9 11.7 77.7
2012 501 41.6 12.0 81.6
2013 483 41.7 11.5 82
2014 516 49.9 10.3 79.8
2015 546 51.0 10.7 78.8
2016 507 49.0 10.3 72
2017 538 44.8 12.0 37.2
2018 501 43.0 11.6 58.7
2019 482 42.9 11.2 100
2020 478 38.2 12.4 100
2021 771 53.5 14.4 100
2022 820 61.5 13.3 99.9
2023 815 60.8 13.3 100
2024 795 58.5 13.5 100

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 Hot Springs Junior Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 604 37.9 15.9 n/a
1989 542 40.0 13.5 n/a
1990 524 39.0 13.4 38
1991 273 18.8 14.5 43.2
1992 260 17.7 14.6 45.8
1993 834 48.7 17.1 47.5
1994 837 49.8 16.8 52.1
1995 791 47.8 16.5 58.4
1996 791 47.8 16.5 58.4
1997 787 48.2 16.3 54.3
1998 760 48.2 15.8 59.7
1999 812 24.3 33.4 56.4
2000 812 77.0 10.5 63.4
2001 913 98.0 9.3 66.6
2002 917 75.0 12.2 68.5
2003 917 75.0 12.2 68.5
2004 916 67.0 13.7 73.8
2005 740 61.0 12.1 78.8
2006 732 69.0 10.6 80.7
2007 679 65.0 10.4 88.1
2008 676 60.0 11.3 78.6
2009 688 60.0 11.5 76.7
2010 434 49.1 9.8 75.3
2011 494 41.9 11.7 77.7
2012 501 41.6 12.0 81.6
2013 483 41.7 11.5 82
2014 516 49.9 10.3 79.8
2015 546 51.0 10.7 78.8
2016 507 49.0 10.3 72
2017 538 44.8 12.0 37.2
2018 501 43.0 11.6 58.7
2019 482 42.9 11.2 100
2020 478 38.2 12.4 100
2021 771 53.5 14.4 100
2022 820 61.5 13.3 99.9
2023 815 60.8 13.3 100
2024 795 58.5 13.5 100

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 Hot Springs Junior Academy

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,448 (21.6%) $8,899 (78.4%) $11,347

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Hot Springs Junior Academy

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 249th of 319 Middle schoolsRanks 261st of 330 Middle schools
 1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English (Hot Springs Junior Academy)71.565.6
 5.9%
   7th Grade English (Hot Springs School District)71.565.6
 5.9%
   7th Grade English (Arkansas)78.375.1
 3.2%
7th Grade Math (Hot Springs Junior Academy)3628.8
 7.2%
   7th Grade Math (Hot Springs School District)3628.8
 7.2%
   7th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.739.6
 8.1%
7th Grade Science (Hot Springs Junior Academy)26.729.1
 2.4%
   7th Grade Science (Hot Springs School District)26.729.1
 2.4%
   7th Grade Science (Arkansas)4338.5
 4.5%
7th Grade Reading (Hot Springs Junior Academy)29.826.1
 3.7%
   7th Grade Reading (Hot Springs School District)29.826.1
 3.7%
   7th Grade Reading (Arkansas)39.234.2
 5%
8th Grade English (Hot Springs Junior Academy)65.253.3
 11.9%
   8th Grade English (Hot Springs School District)65.253.3
 11.9%
   8th Grade English (Arkansas)74.169.2
 4.9%
8th Grade Math (Hot Springs Junior Academy)31.220.3
 10.9%
   8th Grade Math (Hot Springs School District)31.220.3
 10.9%
   8th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.737.9
 9.8%
8th Grade Science (Hot Springs Junior Academy)31.225
 6.2%
   8th Grade Science (Hot Springs School District)31.225
 6.2%
   8th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.536.1
 6.4%
8th Grade Reading (Hot Springs Junior Academy)44.644.7
 0.1%
   8th Grade Reading (Hot Springs School District)44.644.7
 0.1%
   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 Students482815
 69.1%
African American164302
 84.1%
American Indian22
Asian36
 100%
Hispanic102168
 64.7%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White175247
 41.1%
Two or More Races3590
 157.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Hot Springs Junior Academy

Hot Springs Junior Academy ranks 238th of 335 Arkansas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students at Hot Springs Junior Academy are 37% African American, 29% White, 22% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Students who attend Hot Springs Junior Academy usually go on to attend Hot Springs World Class High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 795 students attended Hot Springs Junior Academy.


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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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