Craighead County Schools & Education

Craighead County, Arkansas

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

41/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

92.1%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

92.1%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 90.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$5,845

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,160

School Score

41/100

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

#31

of 75 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Craighead County

School Verdict

Craighead County performs at an average level with a school score of 41/100 and a solid graduation rate of 92.1%.

Funding Context

At $5,845 per pupil, Craighead County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Craighead County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 8% above the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Craighead County, Arkansas

A Large and Dynamic Urban School System

Craighead County manages a robust network of 35 public schools serving nearly 20,000 students. The infrastructure is diverse, featuring 19 elementary schools, six middle schools, and nine high schools across seven districts.

Consistent Performance in a Growing Hub

The county maintains a 92.1% graduation rate, which is higher than both the state and national averages. While the $5,845 per-pupil spending is slightly below the Arkansas average, the composite school score remains competitive at 52.1.

Jonesboro and Nettleton Anchor the Region

The Jonesboro School District is the largest, managing 11 schools and 6,709 students. Nettleton and Brookland also play major roles, serving 3,633 and 3,060 students respectively, within a system that includes no charter schools.

Big City Schools and Rural Alternatives

The county features 18 city-based schools and 14 rural campuses, creating a varied educational feel. The Academies at Jonesboro High is the largest school with 1,386 students, contrasting with smaller rural elementary schools across the county.

Discover Jonesboro's Diverse School Districts

With seven districts to choose from, families can find homes near large city academies or quiet rural elementary schools. The Jonesboro and Brookland areas are particularly popular for their modern facilities and strong enrollment growth.

School Overview

Total Schools

35

in Craighead County

Total Enrollment

19,894

students

School Districts

7

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary19
Middle6
High9
Other1

7 School Districts in Craighead County

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

11 schools
6,709 students

NETTLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT

7 schools
3,633 students

BROOKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 schools
3,060 students

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 schools
2,994 students

WESTSIDE CONS. SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools
1,824 students

RIVERSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools
774 students

BAY SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
562 students

35 Public Schools in Craighead County

THE ACADEMIES AT JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High1,386 students
NETTLETON HIGH SCHOOL

NETTLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High981 students
VALLEY VIEW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

3–6Primary893 students
BROOKLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

BROOKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

3–6Primary878 students
BROOKLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BROOKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–2Primary875 students
ANNIE CAMP JR. HIGH SCHOOL

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–9Middle784 students
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WESTSIDE CONS. SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–4Primary759 students
VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–2Primary758 students
VISUAL & PERFORMING ART MAGNET

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–6Primary736 students
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR JHS

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–9Middle732 students
BROOKLAND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

BROOKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–9Middle718 students
VALLEY VIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–9Middle712 students
WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

WESTSIDE CONS. SCHOOL DISTRICT

8–12High674 students
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES MAGNET

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

1–6Primary642 students
VALLEY VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

10–12High631 students
HEALTH/WELLNESS ENVI MAGNET

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

1–6Primary620 students
BROOKLAND HIGH SCHOOL

BROOKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

10–12High589 students
NETTLETON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

NETTLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–8Middle546 students
MATH & SCIENCE MAGNET SCHOOL

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

1–6Primary540 students
KINDERGARTEN CENTER

JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT

KGPrimary503 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$5,845

State avg $6,160

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Craighead County rate?
Craighead County has a school score of 41/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Craighead County?
The high school graduation rate in Craighead County is 92.1%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Craighead County spend per student?
Craighead County spends $5,845 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Craighead County, Arkansas — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Craighead County, Arkansas?

Craighead County manages a robust network of 35 public schools serving nearly 20,000 students. The infrastructure is diverse, featuring 19 elementary schools, six middle schools, and nine high schools across seven districts.

How do schools in Craighead County perform academically?

The county maintains a 92.1% graduation rate, which is higher than both the state and national averages. While the $5,845 per-pupil spending is slightly below the Arkansas average, the composite school score remains competitive at 52.1.

What are the major school districts in Craighead County, Arkansas?

The Jonesboro School District is the largest, managing 11 schools and 6,709 students. Nettleton and Brookland also play major roles, serving 3,633 and 3,060 students respectively, within a system that includes no charter schools.

What is the school experience like in Craighead County?

The county features 18 city-based schools and 14 rural campuses, creating a varied educational feel. The Academies at Jonesboro High is the largest school with 1,386 students, contrasting with smaller rural elementary schools across the county.

How can I find homes near good schools in Craighead County, Arkansas?

With seven districts to choose from, families can find homes near large city academies or quiet rural elementary schools. The Jonesboro and Brookland areas are particularly popular for their modern facilities and strong enrollment growth.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.