The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Math. The lowest is 15% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Linda Childers Knapp Elementary School
Linda Childers Knapp Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Springdale, Arkansas, as part of the Springdale School District. The school is located in a city that is a major center for poultry processing and industrial manufacturing, with employers like Tyson Foods, George’s, and Cargill playing a large role in the local economy. Springdale has seen rapid population growth in recent years, and the school sits within a district that is the largest in the state by campus count.
The student body at Knapp Elementary is diverse. The largest group of students is Hispanic, followed by a substantial share of students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. White students and students of two or more races make up smaller portions of the enrollment. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade, and its enrollment is spread fairly evenly across those grades.
State testing results from the most recent year show that proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science are low across all tested grades. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was modest in third grade, slightly higher in fourth grade, and higher still in fifth grade, though still at a level that many families would consider a soft spot. In English language arts, the pattern was similar, with the share of proficient students in third grade being the lowest of the three grades tested, and fourth and fifth graders posting somewhat higher but still low rates. Science results were also low across all three grades. When compared with other elementary schools in Washington County, Knapp Elementary’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. A parent considering this school will want to look into what academic supports and interventions are in place, particularly in the early grades where the numbers are weakest.
The school is part of the Springdale School District, the largest district in Arkansas by campus count. The district brief turned up little in the way of recent publicly reported changes or strategic initiatives, so it is not possible to describe any current district-level shifts that might affect the school.
Springdale itself is a fast-growing city with a strong industrial and manufacturing base. The poultry processing industry is a major employer, and the city has a traditional downtown along Emma Avenue with cultural venues like the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History and the Arts Center of the Ozarks. The city annexed Bethel Heights in 2020 and has continued to grow. Housing values in the area are above the state median but below the national median, and rents are similarly positioned. The local economy has a mix of large employers including Tyson Foods, George’s, and the school district itself.
The school’s student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a significant share of students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. White students and students of two or more races make up smaller portions. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic context of the community. The school does not report data on the share of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent with a child in either of those groups would want to ask the school directly about available services and supports.
Knapp Elementary is a neighborhood school in a growing city with a diverse student body and a high level of economic need. The academic results are low relative to other schools in Washington County, and a family considering this school will want to understand what interventions and supports are in place to address those results. The school’s size is typical for an elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade, and it is part of a very large district that operates many campuses across Springdale.
See more original research from School Decision →