For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,970 students in Baxter County, AR (there are 3 private schools, serving 144 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Baxter County, AR are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 95%).
The top-ranked public schools in Baxter County, AR are Pinkston Middle School, Hackler Intermediate School and Amanda Gist Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Baxter County, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Baxter County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Arkansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Baxter County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinkston Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 South College
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1236
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1236
Gr: 6-7 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Hackler Intermediate School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1310 Post Oak Road
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1288
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1288
Gr: 3-5 | 837 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
Norfork Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
161 Mildred Simpson Drive
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-5228
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-5228
Gr: PK-6 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #55.
Mountain Home Career Academies
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 Bomber Blvd.
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1215
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1215
Gr: 8-12 | 1,523 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
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%
Rank: #77.
Norfork High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
136 Mildred Simpson Drive
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-5228
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-5228
Gr: 7-12 | 196 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: n/an/a
Arkansas State University-mountain Home Career Center
Vocational School
1600 South College St
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 508-6100
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 508-6100
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Guy Berry College And Career Academy
Charter School
500 Bomber Blvd.
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1261
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1261
Gr: 6-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: n/an/a
1310 Post Oak Road
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1256
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1256
Gr: PK-K | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
618 North College
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1251
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1251
Gr: 1-2 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Baxter County, AR?
The top-ranked public schools in Baxter County, AR include Pinkston Middle School, Hackler Intermediate School and Amanda Gist Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Baxter County?
11 public schools are located in Baxter County.
What percentage of students in Baxter County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Baxter County are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 95%).
What is the racial composition of students in Baxter County?
Baxter County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Baxter County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Baxter County include: Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary School vs. Amanda Gist Elementary School, Mountain Home Career Academies vs. Cotter High School, Norfork High School vs. Cotter High School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
