Sharp County Schools & Education

Sharp County, Arkansas

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

53/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

94.2%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

94.2%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 90.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,321

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,160

School Score

53/100

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

#13

of 75 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Sharp County

School Verdict

Sharp County performs at an average level with a school score of 53/100 and a solid graduation rate of 94.2%.

Funding Context

At $6,321 per pupil, Sharp County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Sharp County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 38% above the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Sharp County, Arkansas

High-Performing Schools in a Focused Setting

Sharp County operates a streamlined educational system with six public schools serving 2,847 students. Managed by just two districts, the landscape includes two elementary, two middle, and two high schools. This concentrated structure allows for a strong focus on student outcomes across the county.

Exceptional Graduation Rates and School Scores

Sharp County excels in academic metrics with a graduation rate of 94.2%, far exceeding the 87.0% national average. The school score of 54.3 also beats the state average of 51.9, supported by a per-pupil expenditure of $6,321. These figures indicate a highly effective educational environment that outperforms many of its neighbors.

A Strong Tradition of Charter Innovation

The Highland School District is the largest in the county, serving 1,612 students across three schools. Interestingly, two of the county's six schools are charters, representing 33.3% of the total educational landscape. This includes the Cave City High Career & Collegiate Preparatory School, which focuses on specialized student pathways.

A Mix of Town and Rural Schooling

The educational experience is split evenly between town and rural locales, with three schools in each setting. Average school size is 475 students, with Cherokee Elementary being the largest at 594 students. These moderate school sizes facilitate a balanced environment that is neither overcrowded nor isolated.

Relocate Near Arkansas’s Top-Tier Schools

With a graduation rate nearing 95%, Sharp County is a premier destination for families prioritizing academic excellence. Whether you prefer the rural outskirts of Highland or the town atmosphere of Cave City, the school quality provides a stable foundation for home values. Local districts offer a mix of traditional and charter options that appeal to modern parents.

School Overview

Total Schools

6

in Sharp County

Total Enrollment

2,847

students

School Districts

2

districts

Charter Schools

2

33% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary2
Middle2
High2
Other0

2 School Districts in Sharp County

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools
1,612 students

CAVE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools
1,235 students

6 Public Schools in Sharp County

CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–4Primary594 students
CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CAVE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–5Primary576 students
HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High526 students
HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

5–8Middle492 students
CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

CAVE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12Charter371 students
CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY

CAVE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

6–8Charter288 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,321

State avg $6,160

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Sharp County rate?
Sharp County has a school score of 53/100, 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 Sharp County?
The high school graduation rate in Sharp County is 94.2%, 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 Sharp County spend per student?
Sharp County spends $6,321 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 Sharp County, Arkansas — FAQ

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

Sharp County operates a streamlined educational system with six public schools serving 2,847 students. Managed by just two districts, the landscape includes two elementary, two middle, and two high schools. This concentrated structure allows for a strong focus on student outcomes across the county.

How do schools in Sharp County perform academically?

Sharp County excels in academic metrics with a graduation rate of 94.2%, far exceeding the 87.0% national average. The school score of 54.3 also beats the state average of 51.9, supported by a per-pupil expenditure of $6,321. These figures indicate a highly effective educational environment that outperforms many of its neighbors.

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

The Highland School District is the largest in the county, serving 1,612 students across three schools. Interestingly, two of the county's six schools are charters, representing 33.3% of the total educational landscape. This includes the Cave City High Career & Collegiate Preparatory School, which focuses on specialized student pathways.

What is the school experience like in Sharp County?

The educational experience is split evenly between town and rural locales, with three schools in each setting. Average school size is 475 students, with Cherokee Elementary being the largest at 594 students. These moderate school sizes facilitate a balanced environment that is neither overcrowded nor isolated.

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

With a graduation rate nearing 95%, Sharp County is a premier destination for families prioritizing academic excellence. Whether you prefer the rural outskirts of Highland or the town atmosphere of Cave City, the school quality provides a stable foundation for home values. Local districts offer a mix of traditional and charter options that appeal to modern parents.

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.