The assumed course of study at Arkadelphia High School exceeds the Smart Core curriculum developed by the Arkansas Department of Education. Students engage in regular and Advanced Placement coursework and exams to obtain at least 26 units and 27 units beyond the 22 units required by the Smart Core curriculum. The Arkadelphia School District offers students regular or advanced diplomas, based on coursework and grade point average. Exceptional students have been recognized as National Merit Finalists and participated in Arkansas Governor's School. The school maintains a concurrent credit partnership with College of the Ouachitas community college, whereas students may receive high school and college credit simultaneously.
Awards and recognition
In 1990-91, Arkadelphia High School was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for the results of its academic programs. In 1991, Arkadelphia High School principal Herman Thomas was awarded the National Milken Educator Award. Arkadelphia High School was nationally recognized in the Challenge Index report presented by the Washington Post, that measures the number of college-level tests given at the school divided by the number of graduates. In 2011, Arkadelphia had an index score of 1.033 and was ranked as the No. 29 school in Arkansas. In 2012, Arkadelphia's index score jumped to 3.412 and ranking as the No. 4 school in Arkansas and No. 284 in the United States. Arkadelphia High School was listed and unranked in the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools 2012 report. In 2012, Arkadelphia School District and its high school were recognized in the AP District of the Year Awards program in the College Board's 3rd Annual Honor Roll that consisted of 539 U.S. public school districts that simultaneously achieved increases in access to AP® courses for a broader number of students and improved the rate at which their AP students earned scores of 3 or higher on an AP Exam.
Extracurricular activities
The Arkadelphia High School mascot is the badger with royal blue, red, and white serving as the school colors.
Athletics
For the 2012-2014 seasons, the Arkadelphia Badgers participate in the 4A 3 Conference. Competition is primarily sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association with the Badgers competing in baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, golf, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The Arkadelphia Badgers have won numerous state championships, including three football, seven volleyball, two baseball, three tennis, two track and field, one golf, and one swimming and diving. The 1987 Badgers football went undefeated at 14-0, won a state football championship and were ranked No. 22 in the nation by USA Today. The Badgers also won state championships in 1979 and 2017, defeating Warren High School in the 2017 title game.
The following are notable people associated with Arkadelphia High School. If the person was an Arkadelphia High School student, the number in parentheses indicates the year of graduation; if the person was a faculty or staff member, that person's title and years of association are listed.
