School Overview
William O. Darby Jr. High School is a public middle school located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is part of the Fort Smith Public School District. Serving students in grades 7 through 9, the school is named in honor of William Orlando Darby, a distinguished Fort Smith native and U.S. Army brigadier general who gained fame during World War II for organizing and leading the elite "Darby’s Rangers." The school aims to uphold a tradition of academic excellence and character development, providing a foundational environment as students transition from elementary education toward their high school years.

Academically, Darby Jr. High offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the diverse needs of its student body, including core subjects, elective courses, and extracurricular activities. The school emphasizes a supportive community atmosphere where students are encouraged to participate in sports, arts, and various student organizations to foster leadership and school spirit. By focusing on both rigorous instruction and personal growth, the school strives to prepare its students for the challenges of senior high school and beyond, all while maintaining a strong connection to the local Fort Smith community.
711
Total Students
56.9
Full-Time Teachers
12.5
Student/Teacher Ratio
82.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Demographic Student Count
White212
Hispanic353
Black63
Asian9
Two or More69
American Indian5
  • Hispanic
    353 (49.6%)
  • White
    212 (29.8%)
  • Two or More
    69 (9.7%)
  • Black
    63 (8.9%)
  • Asian
    9 (1.3%)
  • American Indian
    5 (0.7%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Middle School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status: No
District: FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Phone: (479)783-4159
Website: http://www.fortsmithschools.org
Grade Range: 6th - 8th
Total Students: 711
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 56.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 12.5
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 513
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 76
Grades Taught
Grade 6 229
Grade 7 239
Grade 8 243

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade Student Count
Grade 6229
Grade 7239
Grade 8243
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female33046.4%
Male38153.6%