Eureka Springs is frequently recognized across the state and region as a top tourist destination.

It continues to rack up the honors with its school system as well.

The Eureka Springs School District was one of two public school districts in the state to have all of its schools awarded money based on results of state testing that took place last April. Eureka Springs schools will receive a total of $39,692.22.

The state-required ATLAS exams were new in 2024 and tested students in grades 3-10 in math and literacy. The Arkansas Department of Education recently announced that 174 schools across the state will be awarded nearly $7 million for high achievement or academic growth.

“This award money is based on student academic growth from the ATLAS assessments in grades 3-10 from spring 2024, and is based on true student growth value and academic gains, not just reward money for high achievement,” Eureka Springs School District Superintendent Bryan Pruitt wrote in an email sent to all district staff. “Eureka Springs was one of two public schools in the state where all schools/campuses received award money and the only district in Our [Educational] Co-op where all the schools received award money.”

More than half of the money awarded to the district will go to the high school, which will get $20,561.04 based on finishing in the top 5 percent in the state in growth and graduation rate, a feat Pruitt said is impressive since the school had already been near the top in performance.

“Our high school has already been in the top tier of student growth, and then to be able to still move that up is very difficult,” Pruitt said. “It’s just an awesome job for them. To be able to maintain and keep that status is very impressive. Hats off to all of the faculty at the high school, who really got in there and got their kids motivated and inspired to do well. I just think there’s a lot of ownership there and the kids trust those teachers. That’s real rewarding for them in the end.”

Eureka Springs Elementary School finished in the top 6 to 10 percent in performance on the ATLAS exams and will receive $10,041.49. Meanwhile, Eureka Springs Middle School finished in the top 6 to 10 percent in performance and will get $9,089.69.

“We worked a lot on reading and then writing, just being able to write,” Pruitt said of the results from the younger students. “Those are a couple of new initiatives that we worked on, and the science of reading, and then incorporating writing across the board. We feel like that’s helped us a lot.”

A committee will be formed at each campus to determine how the money is spent, typically for additional curriculum or learning resources, Pruitt said, adding that the money must be spent by June 30.

“The school board, principals, parents, community and I are so proud of your success in preparing students for academic excellence,” Pruitt wrote in his email to staff. “This assessment helps measure your progress in reportable terms so there is measurable growth that is easy for the public to understand. Your growth speaks volumes.

“Thank you for your dedication, expertise, inspiration and willingness to go above and beyond for the students of Eureka Springs. I appreciate each and every one for all you do. Eileen and I are so excited to be part of this school and community. We have amazing faculty and support staff as well as fantastic students, parents and community members. Great job!”

Having faith in the staff led to Pruitt not being too surprised at the results, he said.

“I wasn’t totally surprised because we have great staff and great kids, and they work hard and they’re dedicated and committed,” he said. “So, really, I’m just proud for them. But, I wasn’t totally surprised because I know that they have worked hard and diligently and we really prepared hard this last year, changing over to the ATLAS exam.

“It’s just a whole new format. We really had to go in there and figure out those new essential standards and unpack them and figure out how to teach them, and then get the kids to pick up on that as well… I’m just proud and tickled for them.”

Pruitt said being recognized at all three schools was a “big, big accolade” for the district, which doesn’t receive per-student funding from the state because, as a tourist destination, the city generates more revenue through taxes than the state’s estimated per-student cost.

“I think we have a good product to offer,” Pruitt said of the district. “The people are pleased with our schools and our district itself. Our students are really sellable when they leave here. They’re prepared, they’re confident, and whatever they go do, they’re going to achieve. “I think that’s a good sales pitch for us to know that when parents move to Eureka Springs or send their kids to Eureka Springs, that they know they will be prepared and they’re going to be ready when they graduate.

“The kids are going to get the bang for the buck right here in Eureka. … Since we are a vacation town, what hurts us a little is our housing, Residential is almost overpriced. That hurts as far as people being able to buy a house just to move to Eureka. The affordability to live here is somewhat complicated, but I think we hold our own.”

Now, it’s full steam ahead as students prepare for the next round of ATLAS exams in April, Pruitt said.

“We can’t let our guard down,” he said. “We’ve got to come back to work every day and work hard and keep forging on.”