The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in Math. The lowest is 51% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Creekside Middle School
Creekside Middle School serves fifth and sixth graders in the Bentonville School District, one of the fastest-growing districts in Arkansas. The school sits in a city that has transformed dramatically over the past two decades, from a quiet county seat into a corporate and cultural hub anchored by Walmart’s global headquarters and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. That growth is visible everywhere: new housing, new retail, a sprawling Walmart campus opening in phases, and a downtown square that blends historic buildings with an expanding arts scene. The city is drawing families and professionals from across the country, and the school system is expanding along with it.
Creekside itself is a mid-sized middle school for its grade band, serving roughly the same number of students in fifth grade and sixth grade. The student body reflects a community that is majority white, with a substantial share of Hispanic students and a notable Asian population. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is lower than many districts nationally, consistent with a relatively affluent area. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the profile, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how those populations are served and what support structures are in place.
On state testing, Creekside performed above the median for districts in Benton County when results are combined across subjects and grades. The school placed in the top quarter of the county’s districts on an overall proficiency index. Looking at the individual subjects and grade levels, the pattern is consistent but not uniform. In math, a majority of fifth graders met the state’s proficiency standard, and sixth graders did slightly better, with a clear majority reaching that bar. In English language arts, the picture was similar: a little under half of fifth graders were proficient, while a stronger majority of sixth graders hit that mark. Science results followed the same upward trend by grade, with about half of fifth graders proficient and a clear majority of sixth graders reaching that level. The jump between fifth and sixth grade appears across all three subjects, which could reflect the curriculum, the testing experience, or the particular cohort of students. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports students making that transition and whether the fifth-grade results point to areas where early intervention is targeted.
Because Creekside only serves fifth and sixth grades, it does not have a graduation rate, and no data was reported on chronic absenteeism or discipline. Those measures simply do not apply to a school of this grade span, so their absence is not a concern.
The school is part of a district that is managing rapid enrollment growth. Publicly reported information indicates the district has been adding capacity, opening new schools to keep pace with the city’s expansion. Bentonville’s housing market has grown more expensive over the past year, with home values and rents both rising at a pace above the national average. That puts pressure on affordability even as the area’s economic base remains strong. Families moving to Bentonville should expect a competitive housing market, though the school system is one of the reasons many are drawn here.
For a parent considering Creekside, the academic picture is one of a school that is performing well relative to its county neighbors, with stronger results in sixth grade than fifth. The school sits in a district that is growing, resourced, and investing in new facilities. The community is arts-rich, business-driven, and steadily adding newcomers. A family that values a suburban environment with a strong arts and cultural scene, a major corporate employer as an anchor, and a school system that is solidly above average in its region would find Creekside a natural fit. A family concerned about the fifth-grade proficiency numbers or wanting more detailed information on how the school serves specific student groups would want to follow up directly with the school’s administration.
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