Top Rankings
Buffalo Is. Central School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public elementary school serving 389 students in Buffalo Is. Central School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public elementary schools in Arkansas.
Public Elementary School in Buffalo Is. Central School District have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Arkansas public elementary school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 39% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public elementary school average of 43% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
2 Schools
710 Schools
# Students
714 Students
299,886 Students
# Teachers
63 Teachers
19,958 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Buffalo Is. Central School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 257 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 increased from 80-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#50 out of 258 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
36%
Graduation Rate
85%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.34
0.61
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
18%
15%
% Black
1%
19%
% White
79%
57%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,734 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,136. The school district revenue/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,819 is less than the state median of $13,047. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$9 MM
$6,371 MM
Spending
$8 MM
$6,327 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,734
$13,136
Spending / Student
$11,819
$13,047
Best Buffalo Is. Central School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buffalo Island Central Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1100 Nelson St
Lake City, AR 72437
(870) 539-6448
Lake City, AR 72437
(870) 539-6448
Gr: PK-6 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Recent Articles
51±¬ÁÏ Transportation & Commute Planning Guide
Learn how public school transportation and commute planning can help families prepare for the coming school year safely and efficiently.
New 51±¬ÁÏ Safety Protocols 2025–26 Guide
Learn how new public school safety protocols for 2025–26 affect students, parents, and schools nationwide.
How Technology Transforms Education in 2025
Explore how technology shapes learning today, with updated data, policy context, trends, and real-world implications for students, educators, and families.
