Beard Elementary School

1600 Cavanaugh Road

School District

Fort Smith
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Fort Smith School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 03, 2023

Very inconsistent their are a couple of excellent teachers but not nearly enough. The nurse will make your sick child where a mask they have vomited in. The nurse also is known for making false DHS reports. They change their special need therapist every year my youngest has been pushed through the grades she's going into third grade and can read or do her basics. My other two children graduated from their and moved on both struggles with the basics
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2015

I think Beard is excellent! Both my kids go there and have really enjoyed it. They have learned so much and without all the pressure and mountains of homework I hear that other parents' kids have at their school. The teachers are caring and the principal is first class! The school is small and everyone feels like a big family. I can usually find something to complain about but not about Beard! They are thought principles for life!
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2014

I have two children that attend Beard Elementary. I have seen a huge change in my oldest child. His personality has flourished and self esteem has grown immensely because the Leader in Me program has encouraged him to share his talents and to be proud of who he is. It does not try to mold him into one of many, Not only does Beard teach my child academics, they also teach the whole child. My youngest child has told the family that we need to be proactive and not reactive in our actions. She also tells us that she is Thinking win win when she does her chores. These are life long skills that are being instilled in my child from the day she entered Beard until she leaves Elementary school. These skills go above and beyond the skills that are taught in elementary schools today. The driving force behind the Leader in Me seems to be the principal who shows she cares about every child. I see her greeting every child in the morning as the children start their day. In every assembly she is talking about the habits and encouraging all students and staff to follow them. I am very proud that my children attend Beard Elementary.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2014

Beard principal is too focused on Covey s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and maintaining Beard s status as a Lighthouse School to be able to devote supervision to those teachers who need it due to their inability to teach children. The kindergarten teachers here are EXCELLENT. However, the first grade teacher is NOT a good teacher. When I attempt to explain why she is a terrible teacher, my explanation sends the character limit overboard. In a nutshell, the responsibility of learning a new concept and completing an assignment about it falls on the students entirely. This teacher is of no use in helping them. She tells the students not to ask questions because she wants to sit at the back of the classroom and play on her iPhone, causing her to be unaware that some are sitting there not doing the work because they do not understand how to do it. Those students are then clipped down on the behavioral chart for not completing their assignments. This is first grade. First graders need constant re-direction and re-focusing, but this woman is either refusing to do it or cannot do it effectively. Principal was useless in addressing this issue. Transferring, mid-year, to Cavanaugh.
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2012

Beard is an excellent school. The school incorporates "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" into their daily curriculum. Kids know these habits and use them daily both at home and in the school. The students know what is expected and know that those expectations will help them have a successful future.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2010

Unqualified & uncaring teachers and not enough parent teacher communication are my 2 biggest complaints. I'm seriously disappointed with lack of the teachers' willingness to explain assignments thoroughly enough..my child reports to me often that he is either yelled at or told to 'figure it out' when he/she asks for help (& she/he is not in an 'older' class by no means). I'm going to have a talk with the superintendant about having my child moved to another school.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2010

I've never seen a school with as many dedicated professionals. They sincerely care about each and every student.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2010

Beard is an excellent elementary school. The teachers and principal really care about the students. The school uses positive rewards for academics, attitude and attendance.