Norfork Public Schools has seen a major rise in its academic performance, earning an A grade in the 2025-26 Arkansas Teaching and Learning Assessment System (ATLAS). The district’s previous grade was a C, making the leap a point of pride for students, staff, and administrators.
Norfork was among 49 schools in north-central Arkansas—out of 63 in total—to achieve either an A or B grade in this year’s assessment, representing 78% of schools in the region. It now stands among just five districts in the area, out of 22, to receive the top grade.
Superintendent Richard Blevins expressed his pride in the accomplishment, attributing the success to the dedication of teachers and students. "This was something we believed was possible,” Blevins said. “We’re so proud to see it happen.”
The superintendent noted that celebrations are planned in recognition of the achievement and credited the increase to systematic efforts for academic improvement across the district. "We’re taking a moment to enjoy this while staying focused on continuing our progress in the year ahead,” Blevins added.
Norfork joins a broader trend of improvement across the region. According to recent reporting, 19 area schools improved their letter grades this year. ATLAS grades are based on end-of-year test results, a key metric for assessing school and district performance in Arkansas.