Over a half-dozen school districts in the Lakes Region will receive financial awards based on their high student performance, student academic growth, and for secondary schools, high graduation rate.  

According to a release from the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Arkansas School Recognition Program was created to provide financial awards to public schools that hit those benchmarks. In total, the state is awarding nearly $7 million in funds for this school year. 

According to guidelines established by state law, school district can received rewards in an amount up to $100 per student who attends a public school or public charter school in the top 5% of all Arkansas public schools in student performance or student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates for secondary schools under criteria set forth by rule of the State Board of Education. For schools in the 6-10% range, the total is up to $50. 

The area school districts receiving awards this year include:

Bergman : Bergman Elementary Top 5% Performance $40,455.75 

Eureka Springs: Eureka Springs Elementary Top 6%-10% Performance $10,041.49
                           Eureka Springs Middle School Top 6%-10% Performance $9,089.69
                           Eureka Springs High School Top 5% Growth/Grad $20,561.04

Green Forest: Green Forest Elementary Top 5% Growth/Grad $41,312.46

Harrison: Forest Heights Elementary School Top 6%-10% Performance $18,226.97
                Harrison Middle School Top 6%-10% Performance $40,499.09

Jasper: Jasper High School Top 6%-10% Growth/Grad $9,565.59 
             Kingston High School Top 6%-10% Growth/Grad $4,711.41

Valley Springs: Valley Springs Middle School Top 5% Performance $23,321.55
                         Valley Springs Elementary Top 6%-10% Performance $14,419.77
                         Valley Springs Middle School Top 6%-10% Growth/Grad $11,659.55

Yellville-Summit: Yellville-Summit High School Top 5% Growth/Grad $31,031.94