HOT SPRINGS, Ark.(September 17, 2026) — The Arkansas Department of Education released its 2026 school and district accountability results today, highlighting significant academic progress across the Hot Springs School District.

The district earned an overall accountability score of 455.07 and maintained a C letter grade. This represents a 38.56-point increase from the previous year and places the district just 2.04 points from a B rating.

Hot Springs School District was also assigned Level 1 support status, meaning no additional state-directed actions are required.

Five of the district’s six schools increased their overall accountability scores, and every HSSD school earned a grade of C or higher.

2024–25 TO 2025–26 LETTER GRADES

• Hot Springs Junior Academy: C to C
• Hot Springs School District: C to C
• Hot Springs World Class High School: C to C
• Langston Elementary Leadership Academy: D to C
• Main Street Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School: D to B
• Oaklawn STEM Magnet School: B to C
• Park Magnet, an IB PYP World School: C* to A

*Park’s 2024–25 calculated grade was a C, with the school held harmless at its previous grade.

Three schools improved by at least one full letter grade:

• Park Magnet, an IB PYP World School, increased from a C to an A, gaining 84.56 accountability points.
• Main Street Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School increased from a D to a B, gaining 142.34 accountability points.
• Langston Elementary Leadership Academy increased from a D to a C, gaining 89.30 accountability points.

Hot Springs Junior Academy remained a C while increasing its accountability score by 47.50 points. Hot Springs World Class High School also remained a C and increased its score by 8.12 points. Oaklawn STEM Magnet School maintained a C rating while increasing its academic achievement score by 15.24 points, demonstrating stronger student proficiency across tested subjects.

EVERY SCHOOL INCREASED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Most importantly, every HSSD school increased its academic achievement points from the previous year. Academic achievement points reflect the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency in English language arts, mathematics, and science.

• Main Street increased its achievement score by 44.35 points.
• Langston increased its achievement score by 32.15 points.
• Hot Springs Junior Academy increased its achievement score by 20.65 points.
• Park Magnet increased its achievement score by 19.51 points.
• Hot Springs World Class High School increased its achievement score by 16.20 points.
• Oaklawn STEM increased its achievement score by 15.24 points.

Districtwide, academic achievement points increased from 76.95 to 101.67, an increase of 24.72 points. Overall growth points increased from 156.29 to 174.09, while growth points for students in the lowest-performing 25 percent increased from 159.37 to 174.45.

Together, these results show that HSSD students are not only making meaningful academic growth but are also reaching higher levels of proficiency across tested subjects.

“These results reflect the daily commitment of our students, teachers, school leaders, staff members, and families,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Hernandez said. “We are proud of the progress demonstrated across our district, particularly the academic growth of our students. We also recognize that this work continues. We will remain focused on strong Tier I instruction, meaningful intervention, and ensuring that every student has the support and opportunities needed to succeed.”

TWO SCHOOLS EARN FUNDED ARKANSAS GEM SCHOOL RECOGNITION

The Arkansas Department of Education also recognized two HSSD schools as funded Arkansas Gem Schools for outstanding student growth:

• Main Street Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School ranked in the top 5 percent of elementary schools statewide for Growth of All Students. The school also earned content-area growth recognition in both English language arts and mathematics. Main Street will receive a school recognition award of $54,035.97.
• Hot Springs World Class High School ranked in the top 6–10 percent of high schools statewide for Growth of All Students. The school also earned content-area growth recognition in mathematics. Hot Springs World Class High School will receive a school recognition award of $32,707.68.

Together, the two schools earned $86,743.65 through the Arkansas School Recognition Program.

In addition, Langston Elementary Leadership Academy earned Arkansas Gem recognition for Growth by Content Area in mathematics, placing the school among the top 10 percent of elementary schools statewide for mathematics growth.

Arkansas Gem Schools are identified using data from the state accountability formula. These designations recognize schools leading the state in academic achievement, academic growth, content-area performance, or sustained improvement.

“These recognitions show that our schools are helping students make meaningful academic progress,” Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Taryn Echols said. “The growth of all students, including those who began the year needing the greatest support, reflects the intentional work taking place in classrooms, collaborative teams, and intervention programs throughout our district.”

The district celebrates each school’s progress while remaining committed to continuous improvement. HSSD will continue strengthening standards-aligned instruction, implementing high-quality instructional materials, using student data to guide support, and providing targeted learning opportunities for every student.

The 2026 results reinforce the district’s commitment to Elevating Every Experience: Every Relationship. Every Story. Every Student.

#ArkansasGemSchool

About the Hot Springs School District: Founded in 1881, the Hot Springs School District is a unified Trojan family of campuses spread across multiple historic school sites in the heart of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Our mission is to educate and empower students to graduate from high school college and/or career-ready, respect diversity, and be contributing members of a global society. The Hot Springs School District is Diverse. Dedicated. Unified. A Place for Everyone.

 

 

 

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