📊 Data: NCES CCD 2024–2025·🔄 Updated: May 2026·Editorial standards
🏆 Rankings · State Test Data (EDFacts 2017–18)

Best School Districts
in Arkansas

Arkansas has 202 rated public school districts. Rankings reflect state reading & math assessment proficiency, percentile-ranked within each state. Use the zip code search to find and compare districts near your address.

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📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
Top 25 Districts Arkansas Sorted by rating — highest first
#DistrictCityRatingState Percentile
#1Bentonville Public SchoolsBentonville10/10  Excellent99th
#2Bentonville School DistrictBentonville10/10  Excellent99th
#3Bismarck Public SchoolsBismarck10/10  Excellent99th
#4Greenbrier School DistrictGreenbrier10/10  Excellent99th
#5Pottsville Public SchoolsPottsville10/10  Excellent99th
#6Valley View School DistrictJonesboro10/10  Excellent99th
#7Bryant Public SchoolsAlexander10/10  Excellent98th
#8County Line School DistrictBranch10/10  Excellent98th
#9Des Arc Public SchoolsBiscoe10/10  Excellent98th
#10Fayetteville Public SchoolsFayetteville10/10  Excellent98th
#11Greenwood School DistrictFort Smith10/10  Excellent98th
#12Harrison School DistrictHarrison10/10  Excellent98th
#13Heber Springs School DistrictHeber Springs10/10  Excellent98th
#14Melbourne School DistrictGuion10/10  Excellent98th
#15Salem School DistrictCamp10/10  Excellent98th
#16Jackson County School DistrictGrubbs10/10  Excellent96th
#17Lakeside School DistrictLakeside10/10  Excellent96th
#18Bergman School DistrictBergman10/10  Excellent93th
#19Brookland School DistrictJonesboro10/10  Excellent93th
#20Cabot Public SchoolsAustin10/10  Excellent93th
#21Conway Public SchoolsConway10/10  Excellent93th
#22Emerson-Taylor-Bradley School DistrictEmerson-Taylor-Bradley10/10  Excellent93th
#23Farmington School DistrictFayetteville10/10  Excellent93th
#24Gravette School DistrictBella Vista10/10  Excellent93th
#25Viola School DistrictBexar10/10  Excellent93th

Best School Districts in Arkansas (2026)

This ranking covers 202 rated public school districts in Arkansas, scored using NCES EDFacts state assessment data for the 2017–18 school year — the most recent district-level federal collection we have processed. Each district's reading and math proficiency rates are averaged, then ranked against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score.

A district's score reflects how its students perform on state assessments relative to same-state peers — it is not a direct measure of teaching quality, school culture, or individual student outcomes. Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions. Learn how ratings are calculated →

How to Use This List

Click any district name to see its zip code page and confirm your exact assignment with the district office. Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school district in Arkansas?
Based on state reading and math assessment proficiency (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), the top-rated district is Bentonville Public Schools in Bentonville, rated 10/10 (Excellent).
How are these rankings calculated?
Rankings use the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state, then converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.
Are ratings based on test scores?
Yes. Ratings are based directly on state reading and math assessment proficiency rates, not on enrollment, spending, or school count. They are a starting point for research, not a final verdict on school quality.