Opportunities flourish for students at Smackover-Norphlet schools
The Smackover School District annexed the Norphlet School District in 2014. Since that time, the newly renamed Smackover-Norphlet School District has a student body population of over 1,100 students in kindergarten through 12th grades.
Opportunities which exist now include a dedicated middle school campus; a K-12 STEM program; options for high school students to graduate with a certificate in general studies from South Arkansas Community College while enrolled in high school; a comprehensive K-12 Response to Intervention Program which includes dyslexia therapy; a school-based health center providing dental, medical and mental health care; school resource officers; and increased access to technology including
1:1 or 1:2 device options at kindergarten through eighth grades.
Plans are also in the works to support the social emotional development of K-12 students through a new mentoring program called Buckaroo AIMS (Adults Investing by Mentoring Students), the creation of a Parent Resource Guide and the development of a student leadership program for high school students.
In addition to the opportunities listed above, the district has solidified many community partnerships with local industries and post-secondary education institutions including Lockheed Martin, LANXESS, SouthArk Community College, the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Canfor Southern Pine, El Dorado Chemical, Delek, Cross Oil, the Medical Center of South Arkansas, Murphy USA, SAU Tech and Southern Arkansas University.
These partnerships have helped to grow the district’s Annual Family STEM Night to over 800 participants in addition to introducing students to the exciting job opportunities which are available in local industries in Union and Ouachita counties. These partnerships, combined with our strong academic programs, resulted in Smackover High School seniors receiving a total of $1,107,000 in scholarships for the 2017-18
school year from colleges, universities and vocational schools from across the country/region.
In its fifth year since the annexation, district administrators (using input from teachers, faculty and the community) presented a plan to the school board to reorganize the district again for the 2019-20 school year to create more opportunities for students while also supporting prospects for strengthening existing programs.
For the 2019-20 school year, all kindergarten through fourth grade students will attend Smackover Elementary School; all fifth through eighth grade students will attend Norphlet Middle School; and all ninth through 12th grade students will attend Smackover High School. This move will help to create a more consistent education throughout the district and will also support an increase in student achievement test scores.
Additionally, Smackover Preschool will move to the former Norphlet Elementary School building, which will
create expansion opportunities for its services which are provided to children from 6 weeks old through 4 years old. Plans are already being made for making a smooth transition over the summer.
The school district is excited to welcome new superintendent Jason Black. While Mr. Black will officially begin working in the district on July 1, he has already scheduled tentative dates this spring to work in the district alongside Interim Superintendent John Gross to prepare for a smooth transition.
Mr. Black is currently employed with the Hallsville Independent School District in Texas as the director of special federal programs. Mr. Black has a strong vision to continue the tradition of excellence for the Smackover-Norphlet School District and is excited to become a Buckaroo.
The Smackover-Norphlet School District is committed to creating college and career-ready citizens by developing the whole child through engaging and challenging academic instruction, a safe and orderly school climate, learning connected to the local economy and the world, strong leadership and family engagement. We invite families to come be a part of our exciting district!