Amanda Gist Elementary School

Q: Is Amanda Gist Elementary School a good school?

Amanda Gist Elementary School ranks 107 th of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Amanda Gist Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cotter, Arkansas, serving 397 students in grades K-6 and part of the Cotter School District, which is ranked 23 out of 252 school districts in the state.

Amanda Gist Elementary consistently outperforms the state average in proficiency rates across all subjects and grade levels, with particularly impressive results in 4th grade English Language Arts (57.5%) and Reading (57.5%), exceeding the state averages by over 20 percentage points. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.4 to 13.4 students per teacher, lower than nearby Norfork Elementary School (13.7) and Mountain Home School District schools (16.4 to 21). Additionally, Amanda Gist Elementary has a 100% free and reduced lunch rate, significantly higher than the surrounding schools.

Despite the high percentage of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, Amanda Gist Elementary School has maintained a strong academic performance, consistently ranking in the top 25-30% of Arkansas elementary schools over the past decade. This suggests the school has implemented successful strategies to address the unique needs of its student population and overcome socioeconomic challenges, making it a standout among the surrounding schools in the region.

Detail:

Public K-6

152 Lucille St
Cotter, AR 72626

(870) 435-6655

District: Cotter School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
107^th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,560

Students who attend Amanda Gist Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Cotter High School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.6

Number of students: 353

Racial breakdown:

White:

94.6%

Two or more races:

2.0%

Hispanic:

1.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 110.8%

See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

Compare Amanda Gist Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Amanda Gist Elementary School ranks better than 78.5% of elementary schools in Arkansas. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 75.2. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (94.6%), two or more races (2%), Hispanic (1.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 110.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Amanda Gist Elementary School is 11.6. (See more...)

Compare Amanda Gist Elementary School employs 30.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Amanda Gist Elementary School is $8,560.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Amanda Gist Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Cotter School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Cotter School District 23^rd of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Amanda Gist Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AR State Percentile
2005	81.54	49^th	411	88.1%
2006	77.83	71^st	402	82.3%
2007	76.70	83^rd	440	81.1%
2008	74.42	95^th	439	78.4%
2009	80.26	62^nd	445	86.1%
2010	82.37	45^th	457	90.2%
2011	79.12	66^th	471	86.0%
2012	73.52	98^th	468	79.1%
2013	78.95	58^th	476	87.8%
2014	75.97	87^th	471	81.5%
2015	80.83	66^th	466	85.8%
2016	71.29	107^th	494	78.3%
2017	72.83	107^th	485	77.9%
2018	75.02	104^th	480	78.3%
2019	69.11	138^th	488	71.7%
2021	71.31	127^th	496	74.4%
2022	68.16	145^th	487	70.2%
2023	76.64	105^th	492	78.7%
2024	75.20	107^th	497	78.5%

See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Amanda Gist Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	267	0	6	2	1	n/a	n/a	276
1989	283	0	7	2	0	n/a	n/a	292
1990	288	0	9	1	2	n/a	n/a	300
1991	308	1	2	1	3	n/a	n/a	315
1992	295	0	6	4	0	n/a	n/a	305
1993	296	0	5	2	0	n/a	n/a	303
1994	327	3	4	3	0	n/a	n/a	337
1995	324	4	5	4	0	n/a	n/a	337
1996	324	4	5	4	0	n/a	n/a	337
1997	327	4	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	336
1998	318	2	3	1	1	n/a	n/a	325
1999	351	1	3	3	1	n/a	n/a	359
2000	350	2	2	1	1	n/a	n/a	356
2001	338	1	2	5	3	n/a	n/a	349
2002	345	2	2	6	1	n/a	n/a	356
2003	345	2	2	6	1	n/a	n/a	356
2004	338	0	2	7	2	n/a	n/a	349
2005	325	0	2	5	0	n/a	n/a	332
2006	315	0	1	5	0	n/a	n/a	321
2007	352	1	1	8	0	n/a	n/a	362
2008	358	2	1	6	0	n/a	n/a	367
2009	358	2	1	14	0	n/a	n/a	375
2010	375	3	0	13	1	1	0	393
2011	370	4	0	12	1	0	0	387
2012	379	3	1	10	1	2	0	396
2013	358	4	3	7	1	2	0	375
2014	384	2	3	3	0	3	0	395
2015	417	1	3	1	0	3	0	425
2016	405	1	3	4	0	3	0	416
2017	416	1	1	6	0	3	0	427
2018	422	1	1	9	1	3	0	437
2019	421	1	0	13	2	0	0	437
2020	438	0	0	13	2	2	0	455
2021	424	0	0	10	1	1	0	436
2022	402	2	0	9	0	1	0	414
2023	383	4	0	7	2	1	0	397
2024	334	2	0	6	3	1	7	353

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Amanda Gist Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	276	20.4	13.5	n/a
1989	292	23.0	12.6	n/a
1990	300	22.0	13.6	45
1991	315	21.1	14.9	43.8
1992	305	21.3	14.3	49.5
1993	303	20.0	15.2	57.4
1994	337	24.1	14.0	50.1
1995	337	24.2	13.9	53.4
1996	337	24.2	13.9	53.4
1997	336	25.5	13.2	53
1998	325	25.5	12.7	52.6
1999	359	18.4	19.5	56.5
2000	356	26.0	13.7	55.6
2001	349	26.0	13.4	55.6
2002	356	25.0	14.2	61
2003	356	25.0	14.2	61
2004	349	27.0	12.9	63.9
2005	332	27.0	12.3	63.3
2006	321	26.0	12.3	68.8
2007	362	29.0	12.5	77.1
2008	367	30.0	12.2	66.8
2009	375	27.0	13.9	70.9
2010	393	29.8	14.0	69.7
2011	387	32.2	11.9	75.2
2012	396	32.2	12.2	74.5
2013	375	31.8	11.7	73.6
2014	395	28.2	13.9	74.2
2015	425	30.0	14.1	73.6
2016	416	30.0	13.8	100
2017	427	32.0	13.3	59.7
2018	437	32.5	13.4	57.4
2019	437	30.1	14.5	100
2020	455	31.7	14.3	100
2021	436	32.4	13.4	100
2022	414	33.2	12.4	100
2023	397	29.6	13.4	100
2024	353	30.2	11.6	110.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Amanda Gist Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	276	20.4	13.5	n/a
1989	292	23.0	12.6	n/a
1990	300	22.0	13.6	45
1991	315	21.1	14.9	43.8
1992	305	21.3	14.3	49.5
1993	303	20.0	15.2	57.4
1994	337	24.1	14.0	50.1
1995	337	24.2	13.9	53.4
1996	337	24.2	13.9	53.4
1997	336	25.5	13.2	53
1998	325	25.5	12.7	52.6
1999	359	18.4	19.5	56.5
2000	356	26.0	13.7	55.6
2001	349	26.0	13.4	55.6
2002	356	25.0	14.2	61
2003	356	25.0	14.2	61
2004	349	27.0	12.9	63.9
2005	332	27.0	12.3	63.3
2006	321	26.0	12.3	68.8
2007	362	29.0	12.5	77.1
2008	367	30.0	12.2	66.8
2009	375	27.0	13.9	70.9
2010	393	29.8	14.0	69.7
2011	387	32.2	11.9	75.2
2012	396	32.2	12.2	74.5
2013	375	31.8	11.7	73.6
2014	395	28.2	13.9	74.2
2015	425	30.0	14.1	73.6
2016	416	30.0	13.8	100
2017	427	32.0	13.3	59.7
2018	437	32.5	13.4	57.4
2019	437	30.1	14.5	100
2020	455	31.7	14.3	100
2021	436	32.4	13.4	100
2022	414	33.2	12.4	100
2023	397	29.6	13.4	100
2024	353	30.2	11.6	110.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Amanda Gist Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,413 (16.5%)	$7,148 (83.5%)	$8,560

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Amanda Gist Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 138^th of 488 Elementary schools	Ranks 105^th of 492 Elementary schools	6.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	79.3	82.2	2.9%
3rd Grade English (Cotter School District)	79.3	82.2	2.9%
3rd Grade English (Arkansas)	72.4	62.6	9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	67.2	73.4	6.2%
3rd Grade Math (Cotter School District)	67.2	73.4	6.2%
3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)	62.1	54.4	7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	45.6	57.8	12.2%
3rd Grade Science (Cotter School District)	45.6	57.8	12.2%
3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)	39.4	35	4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	48.3	55.5	7.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Cotter School District)	48.3	55.5	7.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)	38.3	32.2	6.1%
4th Grade English (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	79.7	48.9	30.8%
4th Grade English (Cotter School District)	79.7	48.9	30.8%
4th Grade English (Arkansas)	69.6	63.3	6.3%
4th Grade Math (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	39.1	48.8	9.7%
4th Grade Math (Cotter School District)	39.1	48.8	9.7%
4th Grade Math (Arkansas)	53.8	48.6	5.2%
4th Grade Science (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	39.1	39.5	0.4%
4th Grade Science (Cotter School District)	39.1	39.5	0.4%
4th Grade Science (Arkansas)	42.3	38.5	3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	39.1	46.6	7.5%
4th Grade Reading (Cotter School District)	39.1	46.6	7.5%
4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	45.3	42	3.3%
5th Grade English (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	82.8	86.3	3.5%
5th Grade English (Cotter School District)	82.8	86.3	3.5%
5th Grade English (Arkansas)	73.3	70.2	3.1%
5th Grade Math (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	73.8	76.5	2.7%
5th Grade Math (Cotter School District)	73.8	76.5	2.7%
5th Grade Math (Arkansas)	49.2	40.7	8.5%
5th Grade Science (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	54.7	47	7.7%
5th Grade Science (Cotter School District)	54.7	47	7.7%
5th Grade Science (Arkansas)	40.7	34.6	6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	46.9	54.9	8%
5th Grade Reading (Cotter School District)	46.9	54.9	8%
5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	41	36.8	4.2%
6th Grade English (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	86.8	75	11.8%
6th Grade English (Cotter School District)	86.8	75	11.8%
6th Grade English (Arkansas)	72.8	67.6	5.2%
6th Grade Math (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	70.5	59.7	10.8%
6th Grade Math (Cotter School District)	70.5	59.7	10.8%
6th Grade Math (Arkansas)	53.7	47	6.7%
6th Grade Science (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	53	40.4	12.6%
6th Grade Science (Cotter School District)	53	40.4	12.6%
6th Grade Science (Arkansas)	45.8	40.3	5.5%
6th Grade Reading (Amanda Gist Elementary School)	50	46.2	3.8%
6th Grade Reading (Cotter School District)	50	46.2	3.8%
6th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	43.1	39	4.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	437	397	9.2%
African American	1	4	300%
American Indian	2	2
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	13	7	46.2%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	421	383	9%
Two or More Races	0	0
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Amanda Gist Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2024)					ATLAS Reading (2024)					ATLAS Mathematics (2024)					ATLAS Science (2024)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Amanda Gist Elementary School	Public	K-6	152 Lucille St	Cotter	72626	Baxter County	Cotter School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 435-6655	353	30	11.6	110.8%	334 (94.6%)	2 (0.6%)	6 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	7 (2.0%)	75.2	107^th of 497 public elementary schools	78.5%		76.6	105^th of 492 public elementary schools	78.7%	2	38.4	57.5	47.0	38.5	44.7	38.3	57.5	55.1	38.5	46.7	46.7	51.1	42.9	51.9	48.1	40.0	55.3	44.9	38.5	44.3	$8,560	$1,413	$7,148
Flippin Elementary School	Public	K-4	209 Alford St	Flippin	72634	Marion County	Flippin School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 453-8860	299	31	9.5	121.7%	280 (93.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.0%)	52.3	243^rd of 497 public elementary schools	51.1%		54.4	239^th of 492 public elementary schools	51.4%	4	42.0	26.7			33.6	42.0	31.6			36.3	38.0	20.0			28.2	40.0	45.0			42.8	$10,367	$2,748	$7,619
Hackler Intermediate School	Public	3-5	965 West Rd	Mountain Home	72653	Baxter County	Mountain Home School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 425-1288	869	49	17.5	49.8%	785 (90.3%)	5 (0.6%)	35 (4.0%)	10 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	31 (3.6%)	66	163^rd of 497 public elementary schools	67.2%		68.6	151^st of 492 public elementary schools	69.3%	12	33.1	40.9	42.8		38.9	35.2	40.9	42.1		39.4	41.9	48.0	54.7		48.2	37.7	39.9	41.1		39.6	$7,662	$1,320	$6,342
Mountain Home Kindergarten	Public	K	1310 Post Oak Rd	Mountain Home	72653	Baxter County	Mountain Home School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 425-1256	284	18	15.3	63.0%	248 (87.3%)	2 (0.7%)	10 (3.5%)	8 (2.8%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.7%)	13 (4.6%)								(n/a)																					$10,368	$2,524	$7,844
Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary	Public	1-2	618 N College St	Mountain Home	72653	Baxter County	Mountain Home School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 425-1251	531	32	16.7	56.1%	476 (89.6%)	5 (0.9%)	20 (3.8%)	9 (1.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.4%)								(n/a)																					$8,744	$1,568	$7,176
Yellville-Summit Elementary School	Public	K-4	1124 N Panther Ave	Yellville	72687	Marion County	Yellville-Summit School District.	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 449-4244	345	22	15.8	99.1%	328 (95.1%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.9%)	66.6	157^th of 497 public elementary schools	68.4%		43.1	317^th of 492 public elementary schools	35.6%	160	32.9	35.0			33.9	34.2	40.0			36.8	61.6	43.3			53.3	52.0	45.0			48.8	$8,574	$1,678	$6,897
Norfork Elementary School	Public	K-6	161 Mildred Simpson Dr	Norfork	72658	Baxter County	Norfork School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 499-7192	251	19	13.4	69.3%	240 (95.6%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.6%)	84.5	54^th of 497 public elementary schools	89.1%		63.9	178^th of 492 public elementary schools	63.8%	124	50.0	53.0	63.7	56.7	55.4	54.6	52.9	57.6	59.4	56.1	43.1	47.0	45.4	45.9	45.2	47.7	41.2	57.6	51.3	49.4	$10,793	$1,628	$9,165
Bruno-Pyatt Elementary	Public	K-6	4754 Hwy 125 South	Everton	72633	Boone County	Ozark Mountain School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(870) 427-5227	68	7	9.4	95.6%	65 (95.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.5%)								(n/a)					29.0					32.2					29.0					22.6

Frequently Asked Questions about Amanda Gist Elementary School

Is Amanda Gist Elementary School a good school?

Amanda Gist Elementary School ranks 107^th of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Amanda Gist Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Amanda Gist Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Cotter High School

What is the racial makeup of Amanda Gist Elementary School?

Students at Amanda Gist Elementary School are 95% White, 2% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

How many students attend Amanda Gist Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 353 students attended Amanda Gist Elementary School.

What district is Amanda Gist Elementary School in?

Cotter School District

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.