Beard Elementary School (Ranked Top 30% for 2025-26)

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Beard Elementary School

1600 Cavanaugh Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72908

( shown in map)

Top 30%

Serving 287 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Beard Elementary School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Arkansas for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 40-44% (which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 39%). The percentage of students achieving is 55-59% (which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 40%).

The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Arkansas state level of 13:1.

Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 42% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 287 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 54%
: Top 30% in AR
: 40-44% (Top 50%)
: 55-59% (Top 10%)
: 45-49% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Beard Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas for:

School Overview

Beard Elementary School's student population of 287 students has declined by 25% over five school years.

The teacher population of 19 teachers has declined by 17% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Beard Elementary School
Pre-K	20
Kind	39
1	43
2	48
3	44
4	45
5	48

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Total Students

287 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School
2023	309
2022	290
2021	341
2020	387
2019	387
2018	317
2017	317
2016	308
2015	300
2014	304
2013	298
2012	285
2011	303
2010	294
2009	294
2008	318
2007	295
2006	298
2005	294
2004	290
2003	288
2002	286
2001	278
2000	260
1999	281
1998	277
1997	296
1996	274
1995	273
1994	282
1993	291
1992	249
1991	247
1990	231
1989	268
1988	253
1987	227

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

19 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School
2023	20
2022	19
2021	24
2020	23
2019	23
2018	21
2017	21
2016	21
2015	22
2014	21
2013	21
2012	20
2011	20
2010	24
2009	23
2008	26
2007	24
2006	21
2005	24
2004	22
2003	21
2002	19
2001	20
2000	18
1999	13
1998	20
1997	20
1996	18
1995	17
1994	17
1993	16
1992	11
1991	11
1990	13
1989	14
1988	11
1987	10

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School Calendar

Last Day of School

Tue. May 26, 2026

School Rankings

Beard Elementary School ranks within the top 30% of all 989 schools in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Beard Elementary School is 0.72, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (AR)

#206 out of 989 schools
(Top 30%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School
2023	#206
2022	#122
2021	#187
2019	#283
2018	#227
2017	#235
2016	#368
2015	#256
2014	#151
2013	#411
2012	#488

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40-44%

39%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	42%	39%	37%
2022	52%	38%	36%
2021	42%	36%	35%
2019	58%	47%	46%
2018	62%	47%	47%
2017	62%	47%	47%
2016	52%	44%	43%
2015	27%	25%	24%
2014	82%	73%	72%
2013	77%	75%	74%
2012	77%	78%	76%

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55-59%

40%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2022	57%	40%	39%
2021	52%	37%	39%
2019	51%	45%	46%
2018	47%	44%	47%
2017	57%	53%	54%
2016	47%	48%	48%
2015	42%	34%	35%
2014	87%	77%	77%
2013	82%	78%	78%
2012	82%	80%	77%
2011	77%	73%	71%

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45-49%

36%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2022	47%	36%	32%
2021	32%	34%	31%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

13:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	15:1	13:1	14:1
2022	15:1	13:1	14:1
2021	14:1	13:1	14:1
2020	17:1	14:1	15:1
2019	17:1	14:1	15:1
2018	15:1	14:1	15:1
2017	15:1	13:1	15:1
2016	15:1	14:1	15:1
2015	14:1	14:1	15:1
2014	14:1	14:1	15:1
2013	14:1	14:1	15:1
2012	14:1	14:1	15:1
2011	15:1	14:1	16:1
2010	13:1	13:1	15:1
2009	13:1	13:1	15:1
2008	12:1	12:1	14:1
2007	12:1	13:1	14:1
2006	14:1	14:1	15:1
2005	12:1	14:1	14:1
2004	13:1	14:1	15:1
2003	14:1	15:1	16:1
2002	15:1	14:1	15:1
2001	14:1	14:1	15:1
2000	14:1	14:1	15:1
1999	22:1	21:1	24:1
1998	14:1	17:1	16:1
1997	15:1	17:1	16:1
1996	16:1	17:1	18:1
1995	16:1	17:1	17:1
1994	16:1	17:1	17:1
1993	18:1	17:1	18:1
1992	22:1	17:1	18:1
1991	23:1	17:1	18:1
1990	18:1	15:1	17:1
1989	19:1	15:1	17:1
1988	23:1	17:1	20:1
1987	23:1	18:1	19:1

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American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2002-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	2%	1%	1%
2015	1%	1%	1%
2014	2%	1%	2%
2013	3%	1%	3%
2012	6%	1%	2%
2011	3%	1%	3%
2010	3%	1%	3%
2009	4%	1%	3%
2008	4%	1%	3%
2007	2%	1%	3%
2006	2%	1%	3%
2005	3%	1%	3%
2004	5%	1%	3%
2003	3%	1%	4%
2002	6%	1%	3%

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Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	6%	2%	5%
2022	7%	2%	5%
2021	5%	2%	5%
2020	2%	2%	5%
2019	2%	2%	5%
2018	4%	2%	5%
2017	4%	2%	5%
2016	3%	2%	5%
2015	3%	2%	6%
2014	3%	1%	6%
2013	3%	1%	6%
2012	2%	2%	6%
2011	2%	2%	6%
2010	3%	2%	6%
2009	4%	2%	6%
2008	4%	2%	7%
2007	5%	1%	7%
2006	4%	1%	7%
2005	4%	1%	7%
2004	4%	1%	7%
2003	3%	1%	6%
2002	2%	1%	7%
2001	2%	1%	7%
2000	3%	1%	7%
1999	2%	1%	7%
1998	3%	1%	8%
1997	1%	1%	7%
1996	1%	1%	8%
1995	1%	1%	8%
1994	1%	1%	8%
1991	1%	1%	8%

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Hispanic

17%

15%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	16%	14%	35%
2022	13%	14%	35%
2021	13%	14%	34%
2020	12%	13%	35%
2019	12%	13%	35%
2018	12%	13%	34%
2017	12%	13%	34%
2016	12%	12%	34%
2015	9%	12%	33%
2014	9%	11%	32%
2013	8%	11%	30%
2012	8%	10%	29%
2011	10%	10%	27%
2010	9%	9%	26%
2009	8%	9%	25%
2008	7%	8%	24%
2007	7%	8%	23%
2006	8%	7%	21%
2005	3%	6%	19%
2004	2%	5%	17%
2003	3%	5%	15%
2002	2%	4%	13%
2001	2%	4%	11%
2000	1%	3%	9%
1999	2%	3%	8%
1998	1%	2%	6%
1997	2%	2%	5%
1996	3%	1%	4%

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Black

11%

19%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	7%	19%	10%
2022	7%	20%	11%
2021	10%	20%	11%
2020	13%	20%	12%
2019	13%	20%	12%
2018	8%	21%	11%
2017	8%	21%	11%
2016	8%	21%	11%
2015	11%	21%	12%
2014	7%	21%	11%
2013	11%	21%	11%
2012	9%	21%	11%
2011	6%	21%	12%
2010	6%	22%	13%
2009	11%	22%	15%
2008	11%	23%	15%
2007	9%	23%	15%
2006	9%	22%	15%
2005	10%	23%	15%
2004	8%	23%	15%
2003	8%	23%	14%
2002	5%	23%	15%
2001	4%	23%	14%
2000	5%	23%	15%
1999	3%	23%	15%
1998	6%	24%	15%
1997	4%	24%	14%
1996	3%	24%	14%
1995	2%	24%	13%
1994	5%	24%	13%
1993	1%	24%	12%

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White

46%

58%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	51%	59%	38%
2022	50%	59%	39%
2021	50%	60%	40%
2020	53%	61%	38%
2019	53%	61%	38%
2018	59%	60%	42%
2017	59%	60%	42%
2016	64%	61%	43%
2015	64%	61%	43%
2014	67%	63%	43%
2013	66%	64%	44%
2012	65%	64%	46%
2011	71%	65%	47%
2010	70%	65%	47%
2009	73%	66%	51%
2008	74%	66%	51%
2007	77%	67%	52%
2006	77%	69%	54%
2005	80%	69%	56%
2004	81%	70%	58%
2003	83%	70%	61%
2002	85%	71%	62%
2001	82%	72%	64%
2000	79%	73%	65%
1999	84%	73%	66%
1998	81%	73%	67%
1997	87%	73%	70%
1996	89%	74%	70%
1995	89%	74%	72%
1994	88%	74%	74%
1993	96%	74%	76%
1992	100%	74%	77%
1991	96%	74%	77%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

17%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	17%	4%	11%
2022	21%	4%	9%
2021	20%	3%	9%
2020	19%	3%	8%
2019	19%	3%	8%
2018	17%	2%	6%
2017	17%	2%	6%
2016	13%	2%	6%
2015	12%	2%	5%
2014	12%	2%	6%
2013	9%	1%	6%
2012	10%	2%	6%
2011	8%	1%	5%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.72

0.61

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	0.68	0.60	0.71
2022	0.69	0.60	0.71
2021	0.69	0.58	0.71
2020	0.66	0.58	0.71
2019	0.66	0.58	0.71
2018	0.61	0.58	0.69
2017	0.61	0.58	0.69
2016	0.56	0.57	0.69
2015	0.56	0.57	0.69
2014	0.53	0.55	0.70
2013	0.54	0.55	0.70
2012	0.56	0.54	0.70
2011	0.48	0.53	0.69
2010	0.50	0.53	0.69
2009	0.45	0.51	0.66
2008	0.44	0.51	0.66
2007	0.40	0.49	0.65
2006	0.39	0.48	0.64
2005	0.34	0.47	0.63
2004	0.34	0.46	0.61
2003	0.31	0.45	0.58
2002	0.27	0.45	0.57
2001	0.32	0.43	0.56
2000	0.36	0.42	0.54
1999	0.29	0.42	0.52
1998	0.33	0.41	0.51
1997	0.24	0.41	0.49
1996	0.20	0.40	0.48
1995	0.20	0.40	0.45
1994	0.22	0.40	0.42
1993	0.08	0.39	0.41
1992	0.04	0.39	0.39
1991	0.08	0.40	0.39

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

67%

56%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	57%	54%	59%
2022	61%	58%	61%
2021	57%	58%	63%
2020	61%	56%	66%
2019	61%	56%	66%
2018	20%	26%	26%
2017	20%	26%	26%
2016	59%	56%	65%
2015	54%	53%	62%
2014	56%	52%	63%
2013	57%	52%	62%
2012	55%	51%	62%
2011	50%	51%	60%
2010	48%	50%	60%
2009	45%	48%	56%
2008	45%	47%	55%
2007	39%	49%	56%
2006	37%	45%	51%
2005	40%	43%	47%
2004	34%	41%	44%
2003	27%	40%	43%
2002	31%	39%	41%
2001	29%	37%	40%
2000	26%	37%	38%
1999	26%	37%	37%
1998	31%	37%	35%
1997	30%	36%	33%
1996	21%	35%	32%
1995	22%	35%	29%
1994	27%	35%	29%
1993	20%	33%	25%

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Eligible for

15%

10%

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Beard Elementary School	Arkansas	Fort Smith School District
2023	20%	10%	13%
2022	16%	7%	12%
2021	16%	7%	11%
2020	10%	8%	10%
2019	10%	8%	10%
2018	6%	9%	8%
2017	6%	9%	8%
2016	7%	8%	8%
2015	9%	9%	9%
2014	10%	10%	9%
2013	10%	10%	9%
2012	10%	10%	9%
2011	11%	9%	9%
2010	12%	9%	9%
2009	15%	10%	9%
2008	9%	9%	9%
2007	10%	9%	8%
2006	12%	9%	9%
2005	7%	9%	8%
2004	12%	9%	8%
2003	16%	9%	8%
2002	13%	8%	7%
2001	10%	8%	7%
2000	10%	8%	7%
1999	10%	8%	7%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Fort Smith School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beard Elementary School's ranking?

Beard Elementary School is ranked #206 out of 989 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Arkansas.

What schools are Beard Elementary School often compared to?

Beard Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Elmer H. Cook Elementary School, Cavanaugh Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% AR state average), while 55-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AR state average).

How many students attend Beard Elementary School?

287 students attend Beard Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

46% of Beard Elementary School students are White, 17% of students are Hispanic, 17% of students are Two or more races, 11% of students are Black, 7% of students are Asian, and 2% of students are American Indian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Beard Elementary School?

Beard Elementary School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 13:1.

What grades does Beard Elementary School offer ?

Beard Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is Beard Elementary School part of?

Beard Elementary School is part of Fort Smith School District.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 287 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 54%
: Top 30%
: 40-44% (Top 50%)
: 55-59% (Top 10%)
: 45-49% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education