The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in Math. The lowest is 51% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Vaughn Elementary
Vaughn Elementary serves kindergarten through fourth grade in the Bentonville School District, a fast-growing public system in northwest Arkansas. The school is located on the southwestern side of Bentonville, a city that has seen extraordinary growth over the past decade, driven by Walmart’s corporate presence and the cultural draw of institutions like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
The student body is large for an elementary school serving only these early grades. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, Black, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is on the lower side for the region and suggests a majority of families are in more comfortable economic circumstances. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available; parents who need information on those supports should contact the school directly.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-2025 school year, Vaughn’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it in the top quartile relative to districts in Benton County. That is a strong result. In mathematics, roughly three of every five third graders and a similar share of fourth graders scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, about half of each grade met that bar. Science results were mixed: third graders posted a rate close to the math results, while fourth graders were just below half.
These are solid proficiency numbers, and they put Vaughn well above the median for the county. Still, there is a noticeable drop from math to reading, and the fourth-grade science results suggest that a parent may want to ask the school how science instruction progresses across the upper primary years. Because Vaughn ends at fourth grade, students move on to a middle school in the district; families may want to understand how the elementary experience feeds into the next building.
Bentonville itself has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and the school district has absorbed that growth. Publicly reported web research indicates the district has been managing referendums, facility additions, and curriculum updates in recent years to keep pace with enrollment and community expectations. Vaughn’s zip code reflects the area’s elevated housing market, with home values well above the national median and rents climbing at a modest pace. The local economy, anchored by Walmart’s headquarters and a growing arts and tourism sector, has kept unemployment low and household incomes high relative to national averages.
For a family weighing this school, the picture is one of a high-performing elementary in a district with strong resources and a community that is expanding quickly. The academic results are consistently above the county average, particularly in math. The student population is less economically diverse than the county as a whole, which is common in rapidly growing suburbs with elevated housing costs. Vaughn does not offer programs such as magnet or charter options on its own, and there was no information available on course access or enrichment offerings at this grade band. Families looking for specialized elementary programs should check with the district.
The school’s location on Barron Road places it in a newer residential part of Bentonville, with access to the city’s extensive trail system and a short drive to downtown cultural amenities. The growth context means that class sizes and building capacity are things a parent may want to keep an eye on as the district continues to expand.
See more original research from School Decision →