📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
Arkansas: 9 Rated Districts
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among Arkansas districts
| Rank in AR | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Greenwood School District | Greenwood | 10/10 Excellent | 97th |
| #2 | Van Buren School District | Van Buren | 8/10 Good | 72nd |
| #3 | Cedarville School District | Cedarville | 7/10 Good | 60th |
| #4 | Fort Smith Public Schools | Fort Smith | 6/10 Average | 55th |
| #5 | Mountainburg Schools | Mountainburg | 6/10 Average | 53rd |
| #6 | Alma School District | Alma | 6/10 Average | 52nd |
| #7 | Lavaca Public Schools | Lavaca | 5/10 Average | 48th |
| #8 | Hackett Public Schools | Hackett | 5/10 Average | 40th |
| #9 | Mulberry School District | Mulberry | 3/10 Below Average | 24th |
Oklahoma: 5 Rated Districts
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among Oklahoma districts
| Rank in OK | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sallisaw Public Schools | Sallisaw | 8/10 Good | 78th |
| #2 | Gore Public Schools | Gore | 7/10 Good | 60th |
| #3 | Roland Public Schools | Roland | 5/10 Average | 42nd |
| #4 | Vian Public Schools | Vian | 2/10 Poor | 19th |
| #5 | Gans Public Schools | Gans | 2/10 Poor | 17th |
Best School Districts in the Fort Smith, AR-OK Metro Area (2026)
This metro area crosses state lines, so it is shown as one table per state. Each state rates its districts on its own test, and a 9/10 in one state is not comparable with a 9/10 in another.
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from EDFacts 2021–22 (Arkansas); EDFacts 2021–22 (Oklahoma) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Arkansas part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area? ▼
Among the 9 rated districts in the Arkansas part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, the highest-rated is Greenwood School District (Greenwood), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 97th percentile of Arkansas districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
What is the best-rated school district in the Oklahoma part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area? ▼
Among the 5 rated districts in the Oklahoma part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, the highest-rated is Sallisaw Public Schools (Sallisaw), rated 8/10 (Good) and in the 78th percentile of Oklahoma districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
Can I compare districts across state lines here? ▼
No. Each state uses its own assessment, so ratings and percentiles are only comparable among districts in the same state. Full methodology here.