Mountain Home Public Schools retained its B letter grade for the 2025-26 academic year, with its accountability score rising by nearly 25 points over the prior year. According to the district’s annual Report to the Public, Mountain Home earned 501.08 points under Arkansas’s A-F accountability system, an improvement from its 2024 score of 476.62.
The A-F grading system evaluates achievement, growth, and graduation readiness, which encompasses indicators such as advanced coursework, industry-recognized credentials, and graduation rates. Statewide, 45% of Arkansas districts earned a B grade, while 10% received an A. The remaining districts were graded C (34%), D (7%), or F (4%).
The district's performance on state tests also showed improvement. Out of 29 tested areas spanning kindergarten through 12th grade, Mountain Home scored above the state average in all but three, compared to six areas lagging behind the state average last year.
Advanced Placement (AP) performance reached a five-year high, with 54% of Mountain Home students achieving a score of 3 or higher—considered passing by most colleges—on their AP exams. This marks a consistent increase in success rates, up from 24% in 2022. The district offers 11 AP courses, including calculus, chemistry, psychology, and English literature.
Career readiness remains a focus under the district’s "enrolled, enlisted, employed" goal for graduating seniors. In the Class of 2026, 57% of students completed a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, and 92% of students taking the ACT WorkKeys exam earned a certification at the bronze level or higher. These achievements contributed to Baxter County earning its ACT Work Ready Community designation in June. The district’s graduation rate stands at 93.7%.
Students in Mountain Home secured approximately $4.1 million in scholarships and grants, with $480,786 coming from local donors. Enrollment as of August 7 stood at 3,647 students across the district’s seven campuses.
Milestones from the past school year include Hackler Intermediate winning the Razorback Ready 2026 Challenge, a fitness initiative that brought Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and University of Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari to congratulate students. Other highlights include an educational session with NASA astronaut Capt. Jack Hathaway, who spoke to students live from the International Space Station, and the district receiving a Purple Star School banner for its work in supporting military families.
On the athletic front, Mountain Home teams qualified for 19 state tournaments, and athletes won several state titles, including team championships for both boys and girls cross country. Individual champions included Jackson Free in cross country and the 3,200-meter run, Callie Kohler in swimming, and Gus Wilber in the 300-meter hurdles.
The district operates with an annual budget of $45.5 million and spends $12,481.90 per student. Its faculty and staff include 509 certified and classified employees, with average salaries of $63,454 and $29,104, respectively. The district spans 350 square miles and runs 44 bus routes traveling 2,000 miles daily.
Priorities outlined for 2024-2029 include academic success, operational effectiveness, school safety, and wellness for students and staff. The district meets all accreditation standards set by the state.