Bismarck School District
Bismarck School District never ceases to impress. They’re one of the top-rated districts in the state for standardized test scores and athletic achievement, and the district’s continual success relies on the relationship between dedicated teachers, the administration, the school board, and the community all working together with the common purpose of keeping the students properly educated and nurtured in a safe, supportive environment.
A 2021 U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Bismarck as the #10 Best Elementary School in the state. Bismarck High School Principal Tony Chambers stated on the school’s website, “Overall, our high school ranks in the top 1 percent of high schools in the state. We are the #5 high school out of 288. As a district, we also ranked #5 out of all school districts.”
A report from the Arkansas Department of Education shows that Bismarck School District consistently beats state and national averages in several categories, including graduation rates, attendance rates, dropout rates, ACT test scores, and school performance.
Along with excellent test scores and academic rankings this year, Bismarck athletics teams impressed with their performances, as well. The Bismarck Lions Jr. High Football team played an undefeated season, and the Sr. High Football team made it to the second round of the District Playoffs for the first time in decades.
Many upgrades, improvements, and additions have been made around campus this year. From multiple new exterior doors and six new buses, to several touch-less sinks and an outdoor classroom, the district is continually looking for ways to enhance the facilities and the learning experience for the students.
As previously reported, Bismarck saw several changes in staff during the 2021-22 school season. Since that reporting, everyone in the district was saddened to learn that beloved band teacher Michael Copeland has decided to retire after this semester.
Copeland is retiring after 37 years in education, 34 of which he spent building the Bismarck band students into a beautiful blend of musical voices.
On a statement released on his Facebook page, Copeland stated, “The administration has always been so supportive of the band program. The faculty is second to none. The middle school band directors that have worked with me here - Stony Evans and Timothy Show - have been two of the best directors that I have had the honor to know and I’m proud to call them my friends, and the kids have worked so hard to make this band be the best that it can be.”
The fact that Copeland announced his decision on April Fools’ Day made for a colorful moment of hopeful confusion, but the sad fact remains that one of Bismarck’s most popular teachers will not be coming back to campus next school year.
The other big news on campus this year is the upcoming transition from the traditional five-day school week to a fourday schedule. The district is set to move to a Tuesday-friday, 7:35 a.m.-3:55 p.m. schedule beginning Aug. 23, 2022.
The school board voted earlier this semester to make the move in the upcoming year after surveying students, faculty, and parents separately and taking all feedback and research into consideration before deciding that Bismarck School District is ready to grow and change in-line with the wishes of the community.
Through all changes, developments, and growing pains, Bismarck School District remains dedicated to teaching students in a nurturing and inclusive environment. The educators are highly-skilled, highly experienced, and highly invested in the futures of their students.