Baxter County Schools & Education
Baxter County, Arkansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
33/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
90.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,857
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,160
School Score
33/100
Higher = better
State avg 38/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#49
of 75 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Baxter County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 33/100, Baxter County maintains a strong graduation rate of 90.2%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $5,857 per pupil, Baxter County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Baxter County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 14% below the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Baxter County, Arkansas
A Diverse Range of Educational Options
Baxter County features 11 public schools across 4 districts, supporting a total of 5,112 students. The landscape includes 5 elementary and 5 high schools, offering a broad range of options from early childhood through secondary graduation.
Steady Results on a Lean Budget
The county maintains a 90.2% graduation rate, which is just above the Arkansas state average and ahead of the 87.0% national benchmark. Though per-pupil spending is $5,857, the county achieves a school score of 51.2, closely matching the state average of 51.9.
Mountain Home Dominates the Landscape
The Mountain Home School District is the county's heavy hitter, educating 3,914 students, which is over 75% of the county's total enrollment. The county also hosts 2 charter schools, representing 18.2% of the local educational facilities.
Mix of Major Academies and Rural Schools
Schools range from rural outposts to large town campuses, with an average enrollment of 511 students. The Mountain Home High Career Academics is the largest site with 1,518 students, while Norfork and Cotter districts offer much smaller, intimate school environments.
Quality Education in the Ozarks
Baxter County’s strong graduation rates and the presence of specialized charter academies make it a top choice for families moving to the Ozarks. Homes in the Mountain Home district are particularly popular due to the breadth of career-focused programs available.
School Overview
Total Schools
11
in Baxter County
Total Enrollment
5,112
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
2
18% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Baxter County
MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT
COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORFORK SCHOOL DISTRICT
ASU - MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER CENTER
11 Public Schools in Baxter County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTN HOME HIGH CAREER ACADEMICS | MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT | 8–12 | Charter | 1,518 |
| HACKLER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT | 3–5 | Primary | 830 |
| PINKSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–7 | Middle | 624 |
| NELSON WILKS HERRON ELEMENTARY | MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT | 1–2 | Primary | 552 |
| AMANDA GIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 397 |
| MOUNTAIN HOME KINDERGARTEN | MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–KG | Primary | 337 |
| COTTER HIGH SCHOOL | COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 331 |
| ARRIE GOFORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NORFORK SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 253 |
| NORFORK HIGH SCHOOL | NORFORK SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 217 |
| GUY BERRY COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY | MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–12 | Charter | 53 |
| ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY-MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER CENTER | ASU - MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER CENTER | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
ASU - MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER CENTER
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,857
State avg $6,160
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Baxter County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Baxter County?
How much does Baxter County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Baxter County, Arkansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Baxter County, Arkansas?
Baxter County features 11 public schools across 4 districts, supporting a total of 5,112 students. The landscape includes 5 elementary and 5 high schools, offering a broad range of options from early childhood through secondary graduation.
How do schools in Baxter County perform academically?
The county maintains a 90.2% graduation rate, which is just above the Arkansas state average and ahead of the 87.0% national benchmark. Though per-pupil spending is $5,857, the county achieves a school score of 51.2, closely matching the state average of 51.9.
What are the major school districts in Baxter County, Arkansas?
The Mountain Home School District is the county's heavy hitter, educating 3,914 students, which is over 75% of the county's total enrollment. The county also hosts 2 charter schools, representing 18.2% of the local educational facilities.
What is the school experience like in Baxter County?
Schools range from rural outposts to large town campuses, with an average enrollment of 511 students. The Mountain Home High Career Academics is the largest site with 1,518 students, while Norfork and Cotter districts offer much smaller, intimate school environments.
How can I find homes near good schools in Baxter County, Arkansas?
Baxter County’s strong graduation rates and the presence of specialized charter academies make it a top choice for families moving to the Ozarks. Homes in the Mountain Home district are particularly popular due to the breadth of career-focused programs available.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.