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Bentonville schools report growth in college credit, biliteracy and internships
Summary
Superintendent's annual 'Success Ready Graduates' report highlights 1,300 students taking 2,200 college classes, expansion in biliteracy (15 languages, 217 students), steady career-technical enrollment and 14 students completing an associate degree before high school graduation.
Dr. Morrow presented the Bentonville School District's annual "Success Ready Graduates" report, saying the measure has been folded into the state's new nine-cell accountability system and the district is already meeting most of the merit/distinction criteria. "We did 11 of the 13 [measures] and next year we expect to add apprenticeships," he said.
Morrow told the board that in the fall 1,300 students were enrolled in 2,200 college-level classes — roughly 22% of high school students — and the district aims to increase associate-degree completion where 14 students this year finished an associate before graduating high school. He said that represents about $540,000 in college-cost savings districtwide (the presentation noted about $40,000 saved per student for those 14 students). The district reported steady NWTI technical-program enrollment (about 60 students) and Ignite program enrollment of roughly 582 students (about 20% of juniors and seniors).
The presentation also highlighted biliteracy growth: 217 students earned biliteracy recognition across 15 languages in 2025, up from single-digit language counts in earlier years. Morrow credited both increased student participation and retention in language courses for the rise. He pointed to growth in Advanced Placement participation and said the district nearly doubled AP scholars from the class of 2022 to 2023; final AP counts for the class of 2025 were pending state scores in July.
Board members praised the report as evidence of broad opportunities for students. President Carlson thanked staff and said the data showed significant district progress toward college and career preparedness.
The board received the report; no formal vote was required. The next update on related budgetary impacts is expected when preliminary savings or costs are presented with the fall budget cycle.
