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Best Middle Schools in Arkansas (2026 List)

A strong and data-based Statewide Middle School Education System (MSSE), comprising approximately 216 Public Middle School/Jr. High Schools serving a significant percentage of the over 473,000 K-12 students in Arkansas, grades 6-8, are collectively home to over 108,000 students and represent an established educational pipeline for the state students. Arkansas offers Rich Statewide Gifted & Talented Programs and requires all public schools to implement this program. Arkansas has a Growth-Focused Accountability System using the ATLAS Assessment System to measure student learning. In addition to providing options for students who are gifted and drawn to high achievement, Arkansas has produced Long-Term Improvements in Student Learning and continues to offer quality programs for students in the middle school years, resulting in some of the highest-quality middle Schools in Arkansas.