Cabot School District, AR

Original Research by School Decision on Cabot School District

The Cabot School District serves a large enrollment spanning pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across several communities in central Arkansas, including the towns of Cabot, Austin, Ward, and parts of Lonoke and Jacksonville. It is one of three districts in Lonoke County, and its size and grade span make it the area’s primary public school provider. The district operates sixteen schools: a high school, a freshman academy, two junior highs, two middle schools, and a cluster of elementary schools, plus an alternative academy.

Academically, the district’s overall proficiency across tested grades and subjects ranks in the top quarter when compared with other Lonoke County districts. This is a clear strength. On the state’s ATLAS assessments, math proficiency rates varied by grade from just over half to slightly above six in ten students reaching the proficient threshold; fourth grade posted the highest math results. Science proficiency followed a similar pattern, with the strongest showing in fourth grade and a gradual decline through eighth grade. English language arts scores were softer, particularly in the upper elementary and middle school grades, where fewer than half of students met the benchmark in most years. The district does not report high school state testing data or a graduation rate in the available information, so a parent looking for a full picture of outcomes through the senior year will need to seek those numbers directly from the district or the state.

The student body is predominantly white, with a growing Hispanic population and smaller shares of Black students and students identifying as two or more races. No data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners was available in the source material. That means a key dimension of student support needs is not visible here. The chronic absenteeism rate, however, is lower than the county median, suggesting that on average students attend school regularly, which supports continuity of learning.

The district’s per-pupil spending is the lowest among the three Lonoke County districts. That is a straightforward fiscal fact, not a judgment; a parent may want to ask how the district allocates its resources and whether class sizes, program availability, or facility conditions reflect that spending level. The community context shows a moderate housing market: home values in the district’s footprint are roughly on par with the statewide median and well below the national median, and monthly rents are similarly moderate. The area appears affordable relative to national benchmarks, which may matter for families weighing relocation.

The district’s leadership recently underwent no major public changes such as bond elections, millage rate adjustments, or curriculum overhauls according to the area brief we located; we searched for recent parent-relevant developments and found none confirmed. That suggests a period of stability, but it also means there is less publicly discussed direction for the district’s near-term priorities.

The Cabot School District offers families a large, academically above-average system relative to its county peers, with solid elementary math and science results and a need for attention to literacy outcomes, especially in the middle grades. The absence of high school attainment data and economic need information are gaps a prospective parent will want to fill with a direct inquiry. The housing market is accessible, the setting is suburban and small-town mix, and the district has the scale to provide a broad range of course offerings, though specifics on programs like advanced placement, career pathways, and dual credit were not included in the available data.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

10,635

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 8%

Black 3%

White 80%

Asian 1%

Two+ 7%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

Schools in this District

16 schools are officially reported under this district.

CABOT HIGH SCHOOL

EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MAGNESS CREEK ELEMENTARY

WARD CENTRAL ELEMENTARY

CABOT MIDDLE SCHOOL SOUTH

CABOT JUNIOR HIGH NORTH

CABOT MIDDLE SCHOOL NORTH

CABOT PANTHER ACADEMY

WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CABOT JUNIOR HIGH SOUTH

SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MOUNTAIN SPRINGS ELEM SCHOOL

CABOT FRESHMAN ACADEMY

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

55%

Grade 3

63%

Grade 4

53%

Grade 5

57%

Grade 6

52%

Grade 7

51%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

46%

Grade 3

50%

Grade 4

45%

Grade 5

41%

Grade 6

39%

Grade 7

42%

Grade 8

Science

6 grades reported

51%

Grade 3

53%

Grade 4

52%

Grade 5

46%

Grade 6

42%

Grade 7

44%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$233,298

Year-over-year change+3.6%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$171K to $251K

vs. state typical1.05x

vs. national typical0.63x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
72023	Cabot	$250K	+3.8%	37.3%
72176	Ward	$210K	+3.1%	26.1%
72007	Austin	$251K	+3.6%	25.3%
72086	Lonoke	$194K	+4.2%	10.3%
72076	Jacksonville	$171K	+5.7%	1.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,297/mo

Year-over-year change+3.5%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$1,036 to $1,423/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
72023	Cabot	$1,423	+3.6%	37.3%
72007	Austin	$1,123	—	25.3%
72076	Jacksonville	$1,036	+1.4%	1.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,177/mo

Home price / national median income2.8x

Annual rent / national median income18.6%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$120/mo

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.