Bald Knob School District, AR

Original Research by School Decision on Bald Knob School District

Bald Knob School District serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in White County, Arkansas. The district operates three schools: H.L. Lubker Elementary School, Bald Knob Middle School, and Bald Knob High School. The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students, and a very small number of Asian and American Indian students. The district's enrollment is modest for a K-12 system, and it draws from the communities of Bald Knob, Bradford, and Judsonia.

On state assessments administered through Arkansas's ATLAS system, proficiency rates vary considerably by grade and subject. In math, the proportion of students scoring at the proficient level or above ranged from roughly a quarter of eighth graders to just over half of fourth graders, with most grades falling between those points. English language arts results followed a similar pattern: fourth graders had the highest rate, while sixth and seventh graders had lower rates. Science scores showed the widest spread, from about a quarter of third graders to half of seventh graders. Across all tested subjects and grades, the district's overall proficiency index sits below the midpoint when compared with other White County districts. A graduation rate was not available in the data, a gap that often reflects the reporting cycle rather than an actual absence; a parent who wants a concrete figure may wish to ask the district directly.

Chronic absenteeism is an area that warrants attention. The district's rate places it in the bottom quartile among White County's districts, meaning a larger share of students miss a significant number of school days. This is a metric some families weigh when considering a school system. On the other hand, per-pupil spending is in the upper range among local districts, which suggests the district allocates relatively higher resources to its students.

Housing in the communities served by Bald Knob is generally more affordable than state and national medians, with a district-weighted home value well below Arkansas's average. Mortgage rates at the time of this writing are moderate, and the area has seen modest home value growth. For families moving to the area, this represents a lower-cost entry point than many parts of the state.

The district has made several changes in recent years that are relevant to parents. A new Bald Knob Middle School building opened in fall 2022, replacing an older facility and serving grades six through eight. The project was funded through district reserves and state partnership money, so families benefit from the upgraded facility without a property tax increase. At the high school level, Career and Technical Education offerings have expanded to include health sciences, agricultural science, and business technology, with students able to earn industry certifications. The district also partners with ASU-Beebe and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville for concurrent credit courses, providing pathways to college credits and career readiness.

State-level policy changes also affect the district. Arkansas's LEARNS Act, passed in 2023, introduces third-grade reading retention provisions that may hold back students who do not meet reading benchmarks on state assessments, with good-cause exemptions available. The same law phases in Education Freedom Accounts, which allow families to use public funds for private school or homeschooling, and raises minimum teacher salaries. These changes reshape the educational landscape for Bald Knob families and are worth understanding regardless of where a child currently attends.

Overall, Bald Knob School District presents a mix of modest academic performance, elevated chronic absence rates, and above-average per-pupil spending, set in an affordable rural housing market. The new middle school and expanded high school career pathways are tangible recent improvements, while the broader state policy shifts add another layer for families to consider.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

1,071

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 4%

Black 2%

White 88%

Asian 0%

Two+ 5%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

H.L. LUBKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BALD KNOB HIGH SCHOOL

BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

36%

Grade 3

53%

Grade 4

28%

Grade 5

48%

Grade 6

44%

Grade 7

24%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

30%

Grade 3

44%

Grade 4

34%

Grade 5

27%

Grade 6

29%

Grade 7

37%

Grade 8

Science

6 grades reported

24%

Grade 3

40%

Grade 4

26%

Grade 5

27%

Grade 6

50%

Grade 7

46%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$163,727

Year-over-year change+3.8%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$140K to $181K

vs. state typical0.74x

vs. national typical0.44x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
72010	Bald Knob	$166K	+3.9%	91.0%
72020	Bradford	$140K	+1.7%	7.7%
72081	Judsonia	$181K	+5.2%	1.2%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$826/mo

Home price / national median income2.0x

Comparison

State typical home value$222,300 (+3.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.