Education

Primary & Secondary

Beginning to end, pre-kindergarten and beyond 12th grade, the Fort Smith Region schools provide comprehensive services for students of all ages, races and social circumstances.  Developmentally appropriate and challenging programs are the standard in District classrooms-kindergarten through 12th grade. The Gifted and Talented Programs as well as Honors and Advanced Placement courses are available in the District high schools. Art, music and physical education programs are integrated into elementary and secondary classrooms. Library and media services provide access to traditional libraries and more technologically advanced components. Counselors in schools offer all students the advantage of conflict resolution and esteem-building programs. A variety of activities and sports are available to secondary students, while PTAs and community programs, such as Partners in Education, support the efforts of teachers.

The students in the Fort Smith Region consistently score above their state and national counterparts on norm-referenced tests. Student scores on the American College Test and Stanford Achievement Test are examples of sound achievement. Northside and Southside High Schools have both earned recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The Fort Smith Region also provides a complimentary alternative to the public school system. Parochial and Private Institutions have established education from PreK to 12th Grade and provide programs including music, arts, physical education, athletic programs, and Advanced Placement courses.  Fort Smith Regional private schools consistently rank in the top academically.

Post Secondary

Excellent education does not stop at the High School level. The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is the state’s fifth largest institution of higher education and is constantly growing and expanding educational opportunities for the community. Approximately 20,000 people benefit annually from UA Fort Smith’s credit, continuing education, and business and industry programs. Students can earn bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in a variety of areas, including health sciences, education, liberal arts, business and technology.

In addition to UA Fort Smith, two other area educational centers offer Bachelor and Master Degrees in the Region.  John Brown University provides non-traditional students innovative Advanced Degree Completion Programs in Fort Smith. The Advanced Program helps working adults with two or more years of college credit to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management or Business Information Systems in as little as a year and a half.

Webster University, located in Downtown Fort Smith, offers accredited courses in Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management and Business Administration in the Fort Smith Region for those in pursuit of a Master’s degree.  Webster prides itself on creating a unique educational environment by blending the conveniences of a small university with the opportunities of a large one.  Webster is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation in higher education, meeting students’ needs in an ever-changing world and incorporating an international perspective throughout the curriculum.

Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. They are the people, place and progress that bind the Greater Fort Smith Region together and bridge the gap to the future. Education is key in shaping our children and our community, which is why the Chamber has been involved with education efforts in the region since its creation in the 1800s. 

 Click Here for a listing of Educational Institutions