The top reported proficiency rate is 63% in Science. The lowest is 59% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Founders Classical Academies of Arkansas
Founders Classical Academies of Arkansas is a charter school district offering a classical education model across multiple campuses in Benton County, with additional online schooling options that have been added to its roster. The district serves students from preschool through twelfth grade and operates one of the larger enrollments among Benton County’s thirteen school districts. Its schools are located in Bentonville, Rogers, and West Little Rock, plus two virtual academies, giving families a mix of in-person and remote choices.
Academically, the district stands out within Benton County. On the Arkansas ATLAS assessments, which are administered in grades three through eight, overall proficiency across math, English language arts, and science places Founders Classical Academies in the top quarter of county districts. In the early elementary years, a solid majority of students meet the state’s proficiency bar in both math and reading. For example, third and fourth graders show strong results, with most students scoring at or above the proficient level. Science performance follows a similar pattern, with strong outcomes in the primary grades.
As students move into middle school, the picture becomes more uneven. While sixth graders still post solid proficiency rates in math and science, the district sees a notable decline by seventh and especially eighth grade. The share of eighth graders reaching proficiency in math drops sharply compared to earlier grades, and English language arts results also trend downward through the middle school years, though less dramatically. A parent with a child approaching upper elementary or middle school may want to ask the school how it supports students through this transition and what interventions are in place for the grades where performance dips.
Chronic absenteeism is an area where the district sits on the higher side compared to other Benton County districts. The absenteeism rate exceeds the countywide typical figure, meaning a larger share of students miss a significant number of school days. This is worth a conversation with the school to understand what contributes to the pattern and what steps are being taken.
The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Asian American population and smaller shares of Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students. Information on the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals was not available, so it is not possible to describe the district’s economic makeup from this data. Per-pupil spending is in the lower range among county districts, a fact families may weigh alongside the academic results.
The district brief publicly reported that Founders Classical Academies has expanded to include virtual elementary and high school programs, giving families access to a remote classical curriculum. However, key data for the high school grades is missing from this profile. State testing results are only available through eighth grade, and no graduation rate was provided. There is no information on Advanced Placement courses, dual credit offerings, or career and technical education pathways. A family with a secondary student will need to investigate those offerings directly with the school to get a full picture of what the high school experience looks like and how well it prepares students for college or work.
Overall, Founders Classical Academies of Arkansas presents strong early academics relative to its county peers, combined with a specific educational philosophy and a growing set of delivery options. The middle school performance gap and the elevated absenteeism rate are points to clarify, and the absence of high school outcome data leaves an important question unanswered for families with older children.
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