Independence County Schools & Education
Independence County, Arkansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
33/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
91.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,372
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
#50
of 75 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Independence County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 33/100, Independence County maintains a strong graduation rate of 91.5%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $5,372 per pupil, Independence County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Independence County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 14% below the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 13% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Independence County, Arkansas
Traditional and Charter School Mix
Independence County supports 14 public schools across five districts, serving a total of 6,855 students. The county features a diverse infrastructure of six elementary, three middle, and five high schools.
Steady Performance in the White River Valley
The county maintains a strong 91.5% graduation rate, significantly higher than the 87% national average. Local districts spend $5,372 per student, resulting in a 50.8 composite school score that aligns with state medians.
Batesville’s Innovative Charter Options
The Batesville School District is the largest, educating 3,469 students and utilizing four charter schools—making up nearly 29% of the county's total schools. Southside School District also serves a significant population with 2,234 students.
A Diverse Array of School Settings
Thirteen of the county's 14 schools are in rural settings, yet average school sizes remain robust at 527 students. Batesville High School is the largest campus with 973 students, providing a comprehensive secondary experience.
Discover Independence County Education
With its unique blend of traditional districts and charter innovation, Independence County offers flexible options for every student. Look for properties in Batesville or Southside to benefit from the area's most popular and well-resourced schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
14
in Independence County
Total Enrollment
6,855
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
4
29% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Independence County
BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT
CEDAR RIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
MIDLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
UACCB TECHNICAL CENTER
14 Public Schools in Independence County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Charter | 973 |
| EAGLE MOUNTAIN MAGNET SCHOOL | BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 903 |
| SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–3 | Primary | 854 |
| BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER | BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Charter | 772 |
| WEST MAGNET SCHOOL | BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 549 |
| SOUTHSIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–9 | Charter | 481 |
| SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL | SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 4–6 | Middle | 453 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 10–12 | Charter | 446 |
| CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL | CEDAR RIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–12 | High | 368 |
| MIDLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MIDLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 277 |
| NEWARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CEDAR RIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 273 |
| SULPHUR ROCK MAGNET SCHOOL | BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 272 |
| MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL | MIDLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 234 |
| UACCB TECHNICAL CENTER | UACCB TECHNICAL CENTER | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,372
State avg $6,160
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Independence County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Independence County?
How much does Independence County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Independence County, Arkansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Independence County, Arkansas?
Independence County supports 14 public schools across five districts, serving a total of 6,855 students. The county features a diverse infrastructure of six elementary, three middle, and five high schools.
How do schools in Independence County perform academically?
The county maintains a strong 91.5% graduation rate, significantly higher than the 87% national average. Local districts spend $5,372 per student, resulting in a 50.8 composite school score that aligns with state medians.
What are the major school districts in Independence County, Arkansas?
The Batesville School District is the largest, educating 3,469 students and utilizing four charter schools—making up nearly 29% of the county's total schools. Southside School District also serves a significant population with 2,234 students.
What is the school experience like in Independence County?
Thirteen of the county's 14 schools are in rural settings, yet average school sizes remain robust at 527 students. Batesville High School is the largest campus with 973 students, providing a comprehensive secondary experience.
How can I find homes near good schools in Independence County, Arkansas?
With its unique blend of traditional districts and charter innovation, Independence County offers flexible options for every student. Look for properties in Batesville or Southside to benefit from the area's most popular and well-resourced schools.
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.