Happy Hollow Elementary School, Fayetteville AR

Original Research by School Decision on Happy Hollow Elementary School

Happy Hollow Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in Fayetteville, part of the Fayetteville School District. It is a neighborhood public school with an enrollment that is moderate for an elementary school of this grade span. The student body is diverse by race and ethnicity; a substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a mix of economic backgrounds. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source material, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for those groups.

On state assessments administered in the most recent year, Happy Hollow’s students performed at a level where roughly half scored proficient or above in math and English language arts across grades three and four. In science, the share reaching proficiency was slightly higher. Compared with other districts in Washington County, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint. These results represent a solid academic footing for an elementary school, though a family accustomed to higher proficiency rates elsewhere may find the numbers in line with the range typical for the region.

Because Happy Hollow serves only the primary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not yet offer the kinds of advanced coursework or career pathways found at the secondary level. The curriculum is standard for an Arkansas elementary school, with no special magnet or charter designation.

Fayetteville is a fast-growing university town, anchored by the University of Arkansas. The presence of tens of thousands of college students shapes the city’s pace and character. Downtown and the campus are close together, hosting civic anchors such as the Walton Arts Center and Wilson Park. Housing in the area carries a value above the state average, and rents have been rising. The city’s population has grown notably in recent years, and the broader Northwest Arkansas region has seen sustained in-migration.

The Fayetteville School District itself faces a notable financial constraint. In 2024, voters narrowly rejected a proposed property tax increase that would have funded teacher salaries, technology, and facility improvements. As a result, the district operates with a millage rate among the lowest in Northwest Arkansas, limiting local revenue per student relative to neighboring districts. This could affect future staffing and infrastructure decisions, though no immediate impact on Happy Hollow’s day-to-day operations has been publicly reported.

With no chronic absenteeism data or discipline data available in the source material, a parent may wish to follow up with the school on attendance patterns and school climate. The school’s setting is primarily residential, located near the University of Arkansas campus, which means some families may find the walkability and community resources appealing.

Happy Hollow fits a family looking for a standard public elementary school in a growing university city, with academic results that are above the midpoint compared to other schools within the same county. The school serves a broad socioeconomic mix, offering an environment shaped by the vibrancy and growth of Fayetteville. A parent who values strong district-wide resources should be aware of the recent tax vote and its implications for future funding.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 345%

School 45% · District 54% · ▼ 9 pts below district

▲ 8 pts above state median · ▲ 5 pts above county median

Grade 450%

School 50% · District 60% · ▼ 10 pts below district

▲ 10 pts above state median · ▲ 5 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 353%

School 53% · District 52% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▲ 20 pts above state median · ▲ 14 pts above county median

Grade 450%

School 50% · District 58% · ▼ 8 pts below district

▲ 14 pts above state median · ▲ 8 pts above county median

Science

Grade 358%

School 58% · District 55% · ▲ 4 pts above district

▲ 22 pts above state median · ▲ 14 pts above county median

Grade 455%

School 55% · District 59% · ▼ 4 pts below district

▲ 19 pts above state median · ▲ 11 pts above county median

This schoolFAYETTEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 3Lower-income40%Higher-income68%28 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income23%Higher-income59%36 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 3Lower-income17%Higher-income68%51 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income26%Higher-income64%38 pp gap