- Enrollment
- 476
- Students per teacher
- 7.4:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Hardy, AR
Cherokee Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Cherokee Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 38/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 050777000490
👥 S:T ratio 45
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 38
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Cherokee Elementary School earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Arkansas median. It is also less racially and ethnically mixed than most Arkansas schools.
- #3 of 3
- public schools in Hardy · Resource Index
- 38
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.8:1
- students per teacher
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Cherokee Elementary School has class sizes near the Arkansas median. Computed live against every Arkansas school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Cherokee Elementary School ranks #3 of 3 public schools in Hardy, AR.
School address
District: Highland School District · Arkansas
NCES ID 050777000490 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-47 students YoY
Cherokee Elementary School shrank from 594 students in 2022-23 to 547 in 2023-24 (-7.9%).
Teacher FTE lost 42.4 → 40.1 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-47 students YoY 050777000490 · Hardy, AR Other · MID · TRAD
581 enr · 13.8:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 38
Nearest enrollment peer: Highland High School (476 students)
Cherokee Elementary School shrank from 594 students in 2022-23 to 547 in 2023-24 (-7.9%). Teacher FTE lost 42.4 → 40.1 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arkansas schools → · Find another →
Cherokee Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- This school
Cherokee Elementary School
581 students
- Highland High
Highland High School
476 students
- Highland Middl
Highland Middle School
442 students
What this shows Cherokee Elementary School reports 581 students on the CCD universe file.
How Cherokee Elementary School compares
Cherokee Elementary School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Arkansas and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Arkansas | Arkansas avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.8:1 | ▲ 1% | 13.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 69% | 59.2% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 581 | top 22% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.8:1
Leaner classes than 59% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
581
Bigger than 71% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
100.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 69% above the Arkansas average of 59.2%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.8:1
students per teacher
- 1% above state mean
Top 49% in Arkansas - lower ratio than 51% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
25.0%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$12,860
per pupil, district-wide
- above Arkansas avg of $12,818
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 581 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
22
in-school suspensions + 11 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 3.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 5.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 94.7%
African American 1.9%
Two or More 1.5%
Hispanic or Latino 1.2%
Asian 0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: White at 94.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 10.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 10.2, Cherokee Elementary School is less mixed than the Arkansas school average of 40.4.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Highland School District reports $12,860 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Cherokee Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Highland Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Cherokee Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 442
- Students per teacher
- 13.8:1
- Resource Index
- 49/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~581 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~13.8:1)
Frequently asked questions about Cherokee Elementary School
How many students attend Cherokee Elementary School?
Cherokee Elementary School has 581 students enrolled. It is a public school in Hardy, AR. CCD year-over-year: 594 (2022-23) → 547 (2023-24), down 47.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School is 13.8:1, which is 1% higher than the Arkansas average of 13.6:1 and 12% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Cherokee Elementary School?
100.0% of students at Cherokee Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arkansas average of 59.2%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Cherokee Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Cherokee Elementary School is White at 94.7% of enrollment, in Hardy, AR.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Cherokee Elementary School?
Cherokee Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 38/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Cherokee Elementary School rank among public schools in Hardy?
By Resource Investment Index, Cherokee Elementary School ranks #3 of 3 public schools in Hardy, AR. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking.
What other schools are in Highland School District?
Besides Cherokee Elementary School, Highland School District also operates Highland High School (476 students) and Highland Middle School (442 students). See the Highland School District district page for the complete list.