Best Public Schools in Hot Springs, AR

The city of Hot Springs, Arkansas is home to 16 schools across 5 different school districts, serving students from elementary through high school. The data reveals a mix of high-performing and struggling schools, with stark differences in academic achievement between the districts. Lakeside School District and Fountain Lake School District stand out as the top-performing districts, with schools like Lakeside High School and Fountain Lake Charter High School ranking among the best in the state. In contrast, schools in the Hot Springs School District and Cutter-Morning Star School District tend to have lower test scores and rankings.

The data also highlights the success of magnet and charter schools in the area, such as Park Magnet An Ib Pyp World Class School and Fountain Lake Charter High School, which outperform their traditional public school counterparts. However, there is a clear correlation between poverty levels, as measured by free and reduced lunch rates, and academic performance, with the highest-poverty schools struggling the most.

Overall, the data paints a complex picture of the educational landscape in Hot Springs, with pockets of excellence alongside significant challenges. Addressing the disparities in resources, funding, and educational quality across the city's schools will be crucial to ensuring all students have access to a high-quality education.