- MINERAL SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–6 · 204 students
- MINERAL SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 7–12 · 197 students
| Metric | Mineral Springs School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 375 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Springs School District (this district) | 1/10 | 5th | 375 |
| Bearden School District | 2/10 | 13th | 476 |
| Gurdon School District | 1/10 | 10th | 645 |
| Prescott School District | 2/10 | 11th | 938 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 219 rated districts in AR → 5th percentile → 1/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Mineral Springs School District
Mineral Springs School District serves zip code 71859, covering Saratoga, Arkansas with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Mineral Springs School District reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $9,500 per year, placing it near the Arkansas state average of approximately $9,500 and significantly below the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts with constrained budgets face challenges with class sizes, program breadth, and facility upkeep. Ask specifically about available services when enrolling. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 2 schools, Mineral Springs School District operates as a small, community-focused district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 375 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
Mineral Springs School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 1/10, placing it in the low-rated tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arkansas is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Mineral Springs School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Arkansas on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 71859
Children in zip code 71859 are assigned to Mineral Springs School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 71859, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Mineral Springs School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arkansas districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Saratoga
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Mineral Springs School District serves zip code 71859, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 71859. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arkansas, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Mineral Springs School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 71859.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Mineral Springs School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 71859 data.