Now that the kids are back in school we can make plans and set goals on how much our children will improve this year. How are Arkansas schools overall, though? You may feel like your child is getting a quality education at his or her school, but how many other learning institutions out there have a better environment? According to a recent ranking based on data sourced from various government and public data sets on "Best Public School Districts", a lot of towns have something to be proud of!

15. Mountain Home

Mountain Home School District has 4,025 students attending 6 schools that range from pre-kindergarten to K-12. The district has an annual budget of $40,566,000, spending an average of $9,989 per student. According to state standards, 84% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading.

14. Prairie Grove

Prairie Grove School District has 1,845 students attending 4 schools in grades K-12. According to state standards, 84% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $19,815,000, spending an average of $11,303 per student.

13. Benton

Benton School District has 4,859 students attending 7 schools starting with pre-kindergarten and going from kindergarten to 12th grade. The district has an annual budget of $49,578,000, spending an average of $10,522 per student. According to state standards, 88% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading.

12. Batesville

Batesville School District has 3,153 students attending 6 schools from pre-K to K-12. According to state standards, 84% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $36,776,000, spending an average of $11,579 per student.

11. Pea Ridge

Pea Ridge School District has 1,685 students attending 4 schools in grades K-12. The district has an annual budget of $20,915,000, spending an average of $12,339 per student. According to state standards, 86% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading.

10. Beebe

Beebe School District has 3,283 students attending 7 schools ranging from pre-K to K-12. According to state standards, 78% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $34,546,000, spending an average of $10,507 per student.

9. Springdale

Springdale School District has 20,741 students attending 28 schools in grades starting with pre-kindergarten going all the way to 12th grade. According to state standards, 77% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $233,661,000, spending an average of $11,697 per student.

8. Conway

Conway School District has 9,829 students attending 20 schools in grades from pre-kindergarten to high school. The district has an annual budget of $161,252,000, spending an average of $16,717 per student. According to state standards, 85% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading.

7. Siloam Springs

Siloam Springs School District has 4,119 students attending 5 schools in grades PK and K-12. According to state standards, 81% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $52,790,000, spending an average of $12,932 per student.

6. Jonesboro

Valley View School District has 2,621 students attending 2 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to K-12. According to state standards, 93% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $33,023,000, spending an average of $12,879 per student.

5. Fayetteville

Fayetteville School District has 9,142 students attending 14 schools in grades K-12. The district has an annual budget of $136,041,000, spending an average of $15,087 per student. According to state standards, 86% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading.

4. Greenwood

Greenwood School District has 3,652 students attending 5 schools in grades pre-K and kindergarten to 12th grade. According to state standards, 86% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $33,244,000, spending an average of $9,229 per student.

3. Rogers School District

Rogers School District has 14,793 students attending 20 schools from pre-K to 12th grade. The district has an annual budget of $140,438,000, spending an average of $9,695 per student. According to state standards, 84% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading.

2. Hot Springs

Lakeside School District has 3,291 students attending 4 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to high school. According to state standards, 88% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $48,892,000, spending an average of $15,389 per student.

1. Bentonville

Bentonville School District has 14,880 students attending 17 schools from kindergarten to 12th grade. The district has an annual budget of $188,169,000, spending an average of $13,324 per student. According to state standards, 90% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and/or reading.

In this author's opinion, it's time for the Little Rock School District (along with Pulaski County Special School District and North Little Rock School District) to take example from the methods these districts are practicing. The largest districts in Arkansas can also be the brightest - this is not an impossible goal. With proper collaborative efforts between parents, educators, students, and administrators, real success can be achieved.