In the 2024 rankings by Niche, an online platform that offers comprehensive profiles of schools across the United States, Lakeside School District was positioned as the top school district in Garland County and the fourth in the state of Arkansas.
Among 244 schools statewide, this district claimed the number one spot for the best places to teach in Arkansas and secured the fifth rank for districts with the most exceptional teachers.
At the county level, Lakeside School District excelled in various areas, being recognized as the district with the best teachers and the best districts for athletes. It stood out as the second most diverse school district in the county, following Hot Springs School District.
On a national scale, Lakeside School District was placed in the top 3.6% of school districts across the country.
Bruce Orr, the Superintendent of Lakeside, expressed his gratitude for the collective efforts of the students, staff, and the supportive community, attributing the district’s success to their collaboration and dedication. He emphasized that beyond the rankings, Lakeside’s achievements reflect the passion, talent, and unity that define the institution.
The district’s achievements were acknowledged not only in numbers but also in the shared spirit that drives their educational journey towards excellence. Orr commended the students, educators, and the community for their contributions to this success, highlighting their continuous inspiration, learning, and growth that fosters a culture of excellence.
In the rankings for the best school districts in Garland County, Lakeside was followed by Lake Hamilton School District at the second position and Jessieville School District at the third.
In the broader scope of the best school districts in Arkansas, Lakeside was outranked by Haas Hall Academy at the top spot, followed by Bentonville Public Schools at second place, and Greenwood School District at third.
Niche’s 2024 Best School Districts ranking is meticulously curated, incorporating an in-depth analysis of crucial statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents, leveraging data from the U.S. Department of Education. Key factors such as state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality, and public school district ratings are taken into consideration. This year, Niche has excluded SAT and ACT scores from the rankings to align with the reduced emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process.
With an enrollment of approximately 3,430 students, Lakeside School District received an overall Niche grade of A, with high marks in academics, teachers, clubs and activities, sports, resources and activities, college prep, administration, and food quality.
On a national scale, Lakeside secured notable positions, ranking 393rd out of 10,932 schools for the best school districts, 612th out of 11,466 for districts with the best teachers, 695th out of 11,822 for best places to teach, and 887th out of 10,346 for the best school districts for athletes.