Education

Learn. Thrive. Succeed.

If a quality education is what you're after, then the Arkadelphia area is ready to answer the call.

As home to two four-year universities, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, and three public school districts, Arkadelphia, Gurdon, and Centerpoint...the area is known as the “Athens of Arkansas” and offers outstanding educational opportunities!

Henderson State University is Arkansas’ only public liberal arts institution. Henderson offers the state’s only four-year bachelor’s degree in aviation. Known as the “School with a Heart”, Henderson State University is well-defined by its student-centered focus.

Ouachita Baptist University is a nationally-ranked and private liberal arts institution. Ouachita focuses on teaching the academic spiritual, and personal differences to its students. Known for “fostering love of God and a love of education”, Ouachita Baptist University is ranked among the nation’s top colleges.

Arkadelphia has played host to the most unique football rivalry in the country, the Battle of the Ravine for over 100 years. Tapped as “The Biggest Little Football Game in America”, two major college football teams literally walk across the street to the opponent’s stadium for a road game. This unique event does not happen anywhere else in America. Since the rivalry began in 1895, there is only the slightest margin of difference in the series standings. The series is closer than the distance between the two campuses. In addition to the football game, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University “battle” in various sports.

Arkadelphia Public School District

The mission of Arkadelphia Public School District is to create a quality learning organization where student achievement results in excellence within the local and global community.

The Arkadelphia Public School District consists of Arkadelphia High School, Goza Middle School and two elementary schools: Perritt Primary School and Peake Elementary School.

Arkadelphia High School serves over 500 students in grades nine through twelve in the Arkadelphia community. The Badger mascot's colors are royal blue, red, and white, which are also the school colors. Students in the Arkadelphia School District can earn regular or advanced diplomas based on their coursework and grade point average. Outstanding students have been named National Merit Semifinalists and have attended Arkansas Governor's School.

Football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, golf, swimming, and cross country are among the sports offered by AHS. They are the 2022 and 2024 4A-7 Football State Conference champions, Runner-Up for the 2022 swimming competition, and the 2022 State Wrestling champions.

Other school programs available at AHS include band membership, JROTC, and the Arkadelphia Promise. The band is led by... and has won the State Band Championship seven times in a row. The JROTC or the Badger Battalion organization has drill team, color guard, honor guard, raider guard, and cyber patriot programs. The Arkadelphia Promise is a game-changing effort – helping to make a college education not just a dream, but a reality for every child in Arkadelphia.

Centerpoint School District

Centerpoint School District has an elementary, middle, high school, and the Centerpoint Academy of Agriculture & Skilled Trades. The "Home of the Knights" has school colors of purple, black, and white.

Centerpoint's district mission is to "ensure ALL Knights are proficient in Essential Skills, Essential Behaviors, and the Growth Mindset necessary to succeed at the next level." Centerpoint graduates are eligible for the Knights-Reddies Scholarship, that provides a gap scholarship for Centerpoint students going to Henderson State. This offers students access to resources for success in the next stage of their life.

CAAST has built-in Skilled Trades Days as well as built-in Ag Work Days. On Skilled Trades Days, CAAST students work with industry professionals at their job-site for the day. On Ag Work Days, all CAAST students work on campus at the 98-acre school farm, in the agri shop, in the greenhouse, or in the Food Processing building. CAAST is Arkansas’ first and only agricultural charter school. Approved by the Arkansas Department of Education’s Charter Authorizing Panel in October 2019 and funded by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center in December 2019, the charter school opened in August 2020.

Their sports include basketball, track, football, etc. The senior boys basketball team were the Conference Champions in 2017. In 2019, the senior boys golf team won State runner-up. The most recent win is form the girls basketball team who were Conference and District Champions in 2020.

Gurdon Public Schools

Gurdon Public Schools, a rural district made up of Gurdon Primary School, Cabe Middle School, and Gurdon High School, serves southern Clark County in southwest Arkansas. The adoption of best practices, professional development, and ongoing education are all part of the teachers' and administrators' commitment to continuous improvement.

At Gurdon Public Schools, students receive the tools they need to succeed as lifelong learners both within and outside of the community. Students have access to a variety of educational resources, including technology, Close-Up, athletics, fine arts programs, and FFA, thanks to funding from the Horace C. Cabe Foundation, Georgia-Pacific, and local leaders.

Gurdon High School educates students in grades nine through twelve. GHS also provides a number of Advanced Placement (AP), concurrent credit courses, and certifications for use in higher education and the workforce. Purple and gold are the school colors. The mascot is the Go-Devil, a type of logging equipment, and the athletics include a variety of sports, including football, basketball, softball, baseball, and track, as well as others.

Henderson State University

Since Henderson State University’s inception in 1890, the university has been proud to be part of the Arkadelphia community. From music concerts and business seminars to college preparatory programs and summer camps, Henderson has a long history of providing high-quality educational opportunities and services to the public. Henderson State University operates many facilities used by the public on a regular basis for entertainment, enrichment and practical purposes. Henderson, which offers the only university-level aviation program in Arkansas, handles Arkadelphia Municipal Airport’s fixed base operation under a contract with the city.

Henderson State University was founded in 1890 and is known as the “School With A Heart” across the state with a diverse, close-knit campus fueled by the Reddie Spirit. They joined the Arkansas State University System on February 1, 2021. Henderson has more than 20 undergraduate programs in addition to several partnerships with the community and schools to enhance student opportunities. Some of their partnerships include ASU Three Rivers, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clark County Workforce Training Group, etc. The Reddie Spirit flows through the four learning communities:

Applied Professional Sciences and Technology
Arts and Humanities
Business, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Health, Education, and Social Sustainability

Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita Baptist University, founded in Arkadelphia in 1886, has served more than 125 years as a Christ-centered learning community. As a leading liberal arts university, Ouachita’s focus on academic excellence is reflected through majors in seven academic schools in the disciplines of business, Christian studies, education, fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Ouachita also has implemented a new Loan Affordability Pledge to help make college costs more affordable.

More than 40 student groups, social clubs, intramural sports, and a variety of outreach activities are available at Ouachita. Tiger Serve Day, Tiger Tunes, Christian Focus Week, and other events throughout the year help build camaraderie and community.

International study opportunities are available in Australia, France, Japan, and South Africa, as well as in the United Kingdom through Ouachita's newest international partnership with Liverpool Hope University.

Prospective students are invited to experience the academic, spiritual, and personal differences at Ouachita. For more information, call 800-DIAL-OBU, visit www.obu.edu or download Ouachita’s mobile app.

Arkadelphia, Arkansas, offers a wealth of educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. These institutions foster a strong academic community and host cultural and educational events open to the public. The area also features resources like the Clark County Public Library, which supports lifelong learning with various programs and services for all ages.

Member Links