Garland County Schools & Education
Garland County, Arkansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
30/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,321
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,160
School Score
30/100
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
#54
of 75 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Garland County
School Verdict
Garland County faces educational challenges with a school score of 30/100 and a graduation rate of 87.7%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,321 per pupil, Garland County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Garland County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 22% below the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Garland County, Arkansas
Diverse Educational Hub in Hot Springs
Garland County manages a robust infrastructure of 28 public schools across eight different districts, serving over 14,800 students. The landscape includes 13 elementary schools and 14 secondary or specialized campuses to accommodate a growing population.
Balancing Performance and Investment
The county maintains a graduation rate of 87.7%, slightly trailing the Arkansas average but remaining above the national baseline. Local districts spend approximately $6,321 per pupil, yielding a composite school score of 50.9.
Large Districts and Charter Options
Lake Hamilton is the county's largest district with 4,131 students, closely followed by Hot Springs and Lakeside. Charter schools play a significant role here, making up over 14% of the total school offerings to provide specialized learning paths.
City Schools Meet Rural Classrooms
The county offers a diverse mix of 11 city-based schools and 16 rural campuses, reflecting the area's varied geography. Lakeside High School is the largest campus with 1,112 students, while the average school size across the county sits at 549.
Find Your Place in Garland Schools
Whether you prefer the innovation of a charter school or the resources of a large district like Lakeside, Garland County offers diverse options. Homebuyers often prioritize properties near the high-performing Lake Hamilton area for its consistent student success.
School Overview
Total Schools
28
in Garland County
Total Enrollment
14,813
students
School Districts
8
districts
Charter Schools
4
14% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
8 School Districts in Garland County
LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT
LAKESIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOUNTAIN LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT
JESSIEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
CUTTER-MORNING STAR SCH. DIST.
MOUNTAIN PINE SCHOOL DISTRICT
NATIONAL PARK TECHNOLOGY CENTER
28 Public Schools in Garland County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL | LAKESIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,112 |
| LAKE HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL | LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | 10–12 | High | 936 |
| HOT SPRINGS JUNIOR ACADEMY | HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–9 | Charter | 815 |
| HOT SPRINGS WORLD CLASS HIGH SCHOOL | HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 10–12 | Charter | 739 |
| LAKESIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | LAKESIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 2–4 | Primary | 720 |
| LAKE HAMILTON JR. HIGH SCHOOL | LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | 8–9 | Other | 694 |
| MAIN STREET VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS MAGNET SCHOOL | HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 675 |
| LAKE HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL | LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–1 | Primary | 666 |
| LAKE HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–7 | Middle | 631 |
| LAKE HAMILTON INTERM. SCHOOL | LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | 4–5 | Primary | 626 |
| LAKE HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCH | LAKE HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | 2–3 | Primary | 578 |
| LAKESIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | LAKESIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–8 | Middle | 557 |
| LANGSTON ELEMENTARY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY MAGNET SCHOOL | HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 554 |
| LAKESIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL | LAKESIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–6 | Middle | 553 |
| LAKESIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL | LAKESIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–1 | Primary | 524 |
| FOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY | FOUNTAIN LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 514 |
| OAKLAWN STEM MAGNET SCHOOL | HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 491 |
| FOUNTAIN LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL COBRA DIGITAL PREP ACADEMY | FOUNTAIN LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Charter | 429 |
| PARK MAGNET AN IB PYP WORLD CLASS SCHOOL | HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 416 |
| FOUNTAIN LAKE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | FOUNTAIN LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Charter | 406 |
HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT
HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOUNTAIN LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,321
State avg $6,160
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Garland County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Garland County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Garland County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Garland County?
How much does Garland County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Garland County, Arkansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Garland County, Arkansas?
Garland County manages a robust infrastructure of 28 public schools across eight different districts, serving over 14,800 students. The landscape includes 13 elementary schools and 14 secondary or specialized campuses to accommodate a growing population.
How do schools in Garland County perform academically?
The county maintains a graduation rate of 87.7%, slightly trailing the Arkansas average but remaining above the national baseline. Local districts spend approximately $6,321 per pupil, yielding a composite school score of 50.9.
What are the major school districts in Garland County, Arkansas?
Lake Hamilton is the county's largest district with 4,131 students, closely followed by Hot Springs and Lakeside. Charter schools play a significant role here, making up over 14% of the total school offerings to provide specialized learning paths.
What is the school experience like in Garland County?
The county offers a diverse mix of 11 city-based schools and 16 rural campuses, reflecting the area's varied geography. Lakeside High School is the largest campus with 1,112 students, while the average school size across the county sits at 549.
How can I find homes near good schools in Garland County, Arkansas?
Whether you prefer the innovation of a charter school or the resources of a large district like Lakeside, Garland County offers diverse options. Homebuyers often prioritize properties near the high-performing Lake Hamilton area for its consistent student success.
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.