Top Rankings
Cotter School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 698 students in Cotter School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Arkansas.
Public Schools in Cotter School District have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
2 Schools
1,106 Schools
# Students
698 Students
491,000 Students
# Teachers
85 Teachers
39,254 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Cotter School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 256 school districts in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85% has decreased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#60 out of 258 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
36%
Graduation Rate
85%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.10
0.62
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
15%
% Black
1%
19%
% White
95%
57%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,523 in this school district is less than the state median of $12,975. The school district revenue/student has grown by 26% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,880 is less than the state median of $12,887. The school district spending/student has grown by 33% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$9 MM
$6,371 MM
Spending
$8 MM
$6,327 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,523
$12,975
Spending / Student
$11,880
$12,887
Best Cotter School District Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Amanda Gist Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
152 Lucille
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6655
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6655
Gr: PK-6 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Cotter High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
198 Mable
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6323
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6323
Gr: 7-12 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Cotter School District?
Cotter School District manages 2 public schools serving 698 students.
What is the rank of Cotter School District?
Cotter School District is ranked #58 out of 256 school districts in Arkansas (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Arkansas school districts for: Highest math proficiency (Top 20%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Cotter School District?
95% of Cotter School District students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Cotter School District?
Cotter School District has a student/teacher ratio of 8:1, which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 12:1.
What is Cotter School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,880 is less than the state median of $12,887. The school district spending/student has grown by 33% over four school years.
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
