Polk County Schools & Education
Polk County, Arkansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
35/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
91.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,801
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,160
School Score
35/100
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
#44
of 75 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Polk County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 35/100, Polk County maintains a strong graduation rate of 91.2%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $5,801 per pupil, Polk County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Polk County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Polk County, Arkansas
A Small-Scale Education Network in Polk County
Polk County manages a focused education system of 11 public schools across four districts, serving 3,149 students. The infrastructure is evenly balanced with five elementary schools, five high schools, and one middle school.
High Graduation Rates Despite Lean Spending
Polk County achieves an impressive 91.2% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 90.3% and the national mark of 87.0%. While per-pupil spending of $5,801 is below the state average, the county maintains a 51.6 school score, nearly matching the state median.
Mena School District Leads the Region
The Mena School District is the county's largest, overseeing five schools and 1,745 students. The county also features one charter school, which represents roughly 9% of its total educational facilities.
Rural Roots and Intimate Learning Environments
Education here is deeply rural, with nine schools in rural settings and two in town locales. The average school size is just 315 students, ranging from the 498-student Mena High School down to smaller community campuses.
Relocate Near High-Achieving Rural Schools
Polk County offers a tight-knit educational environment with graduation rates that lead the state. Families looking for high school performance in a quiet, rural setting should explore homes within the Mena and Cossatot River districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
11
in Polk County
Total Enrollment
3,149
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
1
9% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Polk County
MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
COSSATOT RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT
OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT
UA RICH MOUNTAIN TECHNICAL CENTER
11 Public Schools in Polk County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MENA HIGH SCHOOL | MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 498 |
| HOLLY HARSHMAN ELEM. SCHOOL | MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 3–5 | Primary | 435 |
| LOUISE DURHAM ELEM. SCHOOL | MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–2 | Primary | 429 |
| MENA MIDDLE SCHOOL | MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 375 |
| COSSATOT RIVER HIGH SCHOOL | COSSATOT RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 374 |
| ACORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 342 |
| ACORN HIGH SCHOOL | OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 293 |
| WICKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COSSATOT RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | 3–6 | Primary | 242 |
| COSSATOT RIVER PRIMARY SCHOOL | COSSATOT RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–2 | Primary | 153 |
| POLK COUNTY VIRTUAL ACADEMY | MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 8–12 | Charter | 8 |
| UA RICH MOUNTAIN TECHNICAL CENTER | UA RICH MOUNTAIN TECHNICAL CENTER | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,801
State avg $6,160
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Polk County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Polk County?
How much does Polk County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Polk County, Arkansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Polk County, Arkansas?
Polk County manages a focused education system of 11 public schools across four districts, serving 3,149 students. The infrastructure is evenly balanced with five elementary schools, five high schools, and one middle school.
How do schools in Polk County perform academically?
Polk County achieves an impressive 91.2% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 90.3% and the national mark of 87.0%. While per-pupil spending of $5,801 is below the state average, the county maintains a 51.6 school score, nearly matching the state median.
What are the major school districts in Polk County, Arkansas?
The Mena School District is the county's largest, overseeing five schools and 1,745 students. The county also features one charter school, which represents roughly 9% of its total educational facilities.
What is the school experience like in Polk County?
Education here is deeply rural, with nine schools in rural settings and two in town locales. The average school size is just 315 students, ranging from the 498-student Mena High School down to smaller community campuses.
How can I find homes near good schools in Polk County, Arkansas?
Polk County offers a tight-knit educational environment with graduation rates that lead the state. Families looking for high school performance in a quiet, rural setting should explore homes within the Mena and Cossatot River districts.
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.