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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Union County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 6,717 students in Union County, AR (there are 3 private schools, serving 317 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Union County, AR are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 95%).
The top-ranked public schools in Union County, AR are Hugh Goodwin Elementary School, Parkers Chapel Elementary School and Northwest Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Union County, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Union County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arkansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public school average of 43% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Union County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hugh Goodwin Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
201 East 5th
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-5071
Gr: PK-4 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Parkers Chapel Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
209 Parkers Chapel Road
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 862-4641
Gr: PK-6 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Northwest Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1600 N College
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-5078
Gr: K-4 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #44.
Parkers Chapel High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
209 Parkers Chapel Road
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 862-4641
Gr: 7-12 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
Washington Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
601 Mlk Jr. Blvd
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-5032
Gr: 5-6 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #66.
Smackover Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
701 Magnolia St.
Smackover, AR 71762
(870) 725-3601
Gr: PK-4 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Barton Jr. High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 W Faulkner
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-5051
Gr: 5-8 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #88.
Norphlet Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
600 School St
Norphlet, AR 71759
(870) 546-1002
Gr: 5-8 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #99.
Junction City Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
200 West Holly Street
Junction City, AR 71749
(870) 899-4043
Gr: K-6 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
Yocum Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
308 South College
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-5096
Gr: K-4 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1111.
El Dorado High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2000 Wildcat Drive
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-5100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,235 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1212.
Junction City High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 North Elm Street
Junction City, AR 71749
(870) 899-4048
Gr: 7-12 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1313.
Smackover High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Buckaroo Lane
Smackover, AR 71762
(870) 725-3101
Gr: 9-12 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1414.
Strong-huttig Schools
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
635 S. Concord
Strong, AR 71765
(870) 797-3040
Gr: K-12 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
South Arkansas Community College Technical Center
Vocational School
3696 E Main Rd
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-7110
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Union County, AR?
The top-ranked public schools in Union County, AR include Hugh Goodwin Elementary School, Parkers Chapel Elementary School and Northwest Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Union County?
15 public schools are located in Union County.
What percentage of students in Union County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Union County are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 95%).
What is the racial composition of students in Union County?
Union County public schools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Union County are often viewed compared to one another?

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