Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Arkansas · Public School District
26
Schools
14,212
Students
$15,628
Per-Pupil Spend
+9% nat'l
72.2%
Free Lunch Rate
+20pp vs nat'l
93.3%
Graduation Rate
+6.8pp vs nat'l
District Overview

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT is a public school district in Arkansas serving 14,212 students across 26 schools. It includes 19 elementary, 4 middle, 3 high schools. Its graduation rate of 93.3% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $15,628 is near the national average for a US public school district. 72% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 35/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (26)
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
DORA KIMMONS JR. HIGH SCHOOL06–08841
L. A. CHAFFIN JR. HIGH SCHOOL06–08725
RAMSEY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL06–08832
WILLIAM O. DARBY JR. HIGH SCH.06–08700
High Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER06–1265
NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL09–122,433
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL09–121,956
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$15,628Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
44%
35%
State
44.3%
Local (property tax)
35.4%
Federal
20.3%

Funding is shared between state (44%) and local sources (35%), with notable federal support (20%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
26
Schools
14,212
Students
72%
Free Lunch
$16K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate93.3%
Opportunity Score35/100
StateArkansas →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
93.3% graduation rate — 6.8 points above the national average of 86.5%.
Range of school options
With 26 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
72% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Low opportunity scores
Median opportunity score of 35/100, below the national median of 50, which can correlate with weaker long-term economic mobility for students.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
20% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT?
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT has 26 public schools, serving a total of 14,212 students.
What is the graduation rate for FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT?
The graduation rate is 93.3%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT spend per student?
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT spends $15,628 per pupil — 9% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT?
72% of students in FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT?
No, FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT serve?
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT?
The median opportunity score across schools in FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT is 35/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.