- BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 286 students
- BARLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 316 students
- BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 297 students
- BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER — Grades 6–12 · 39 students
- BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 287 students
- CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 172 students
- CAVANAUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 303 students
- L. A. CHAFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 753 students
- ELMER H. COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 459 students
- WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 711 students
- FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 582 students
- HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 299 students
- DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 753 students
- HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 493 students
- NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2231 students
- RAYMOND F. ORR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 235 students
- PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 387 students
- RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 801 students
- SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2053 students
- SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 307 students
- SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 510 students
- SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 411 students
- TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades · 0 students
- JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 514 students
- TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 343 students
- EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 397 students
- FORT SMITH VIRTUAL ACADEMY — Grades 6–12 · 106 students
| Metric | Fort Smith Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 14,291 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 27 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,493/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith Public Schools (this district) | 6/10 | 55th | 14,291 |
| 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 → 55th percentile → 6/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Fort Smith Public Schools
Fort Smith Public Schools serves zip code 72903, covering Fort Smith, 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
Fort Smith Public Schools spent $11,493 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 21% above Arkansas’s statewide $9,500 estimate.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 27 schools, Fort Smith Public Schools operates as a large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 14,291 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
Fort Smith Public Schools has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 6/10, placing it in the average 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.
Fort Smith Public Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Arkansas. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 72903
Children in zip code 72903 are assigned to Fort Smith Public Schools 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 72903, 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 Fort Smith Public Schools 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 Fort Smith
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Fort Smith Public Schools serves zip code 72903, homes in and around zip code 72903 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Fort Smith Public Schools 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 72903.
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 Fort Smith Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 72903 data.