The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Math. The lowest is 61% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Cooper Elementary School
Cooper Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in Bella Vista, a fast-growing city in the Ozark foothills that has shifted in recent years from a retirement destination to a bedroom community drawing young families and professionals who commute to nearby Bentonville and Rogers. The school sits within the Bentonville School District, which is the largest district in the area. Cooper is one of several elementary schools in the district and its enrollment is sizable for a primary school, with most students identifying as white and a smaller share identifying as Hispanic. More than a fifth of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which gives a sense of the economic mix in the building.
On state assessments in math, English language arts, and science, Cooper’s students posted proficiency rates that are solidly above average compared with other schools across the state and, when measured against other districts in Benton County, place the school in the top quarter for overall performance. In math, the share of students meeting or exceeding expectations was strong in both tested grades. In English language arts, results were a bit lower but still respectable. Science scores were in a similar range. The assessment used is Arkansas’s ATLAS test, which replaced a prior exam a few years ago, so direct year-over-year comparisons are not available. Because Cooper is a primary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available in the current record.
The school’s setting shapes what daily life looks like for families. Bella Vista is a sprawling, low-density community with roughly 47 square miles of wooded terrain, seven private lakes, and an extensive network of trails. There is no walkable downtown. Most errands and school commutes require a car. The city is split across three school districts—Bentonville, Gravette, and Pea Ridge—meaning that where a family lives within Bella Vista determines which elementary school their child attends. Cooper serves the portion zoned for the Bentonville district, which covers the east side and part of the west side. The city’s dramatic population growth since incorporation in 2007, and the completion of Interstate 49 in 2021, have accelerated new residential development and drawn younger residents. Housing values in the area have risen moderately in the last year, and rents have also increased, reflecting broader Northwest Arkansas market trends.
We looked for information on recent district-level changes such as curriculum updates, new school openings, or bond referendums in the Bentonville School District, but found little that was publicly reported. The district brief returned only search queries without substantive results, so we cannot describe any recent strategic initiatives or facility plans. A parent may want to check the district’s website for current priorities.
Cooper’s academic results are a clear strength, and the school’s size and grade band mean a relatively contained environment where children spend several years with the same peer group before moving on to a middle school. The school does not appear to have any specialized magnet or charter status, and no data on program offerings such as gifted education or arts integration was available. The mix of students is predominantly white, and while the share of students from low-income households is modest, it is not negligible. Families considering Cooper will be choosing a school with above-average test scores in a growing, car-dependent suburb where the outdoor amenities—lakes, golf, trails—are a big part of the lifestyle. For parents who value strong foundational academics and a school that sits within a well-regarded district, Cooper fits that profile. Those looking for specific enrichment offerings or detailed information on student support services will need to follow up directly with the school or district.
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