Little Rock School District

The Little Rock School District in Arkansas encompasses 39 schools, including 28 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 5 high schools, serving a diverse student population. The district exhibits a wide range of academic performance, with some standout schools like Don Roberts Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School ranking among the top in the state, while others, such as Cloverdale Middle School and Mabelvale Middle School, struggle to meet proficiency standards.

The district's student population is diverse, with African American students making up the largest racial group at some schools, such as Central High School (50.98%) and Little Rock Southwest High School (63.95%). The data also reveals a strong correlation between poverty, as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates, and academic performance, with the highest-poverty schools generally being the lowest-performing. Interestingly, higher spending per student does not necessarily translate to better outcomes, suggesting that factors like teacher quality, curriculum, and school leadership may play a more crucial role.

The district's specialized programs, such as the Parkview Magnet High School and the Forest Heights STEM Academy, appear to be effective in boosting student achievement. Additionally, the district's early childhood centers may be key to laying a strong foundation for long-term academic success. Overall, the Little Rock School District faces significant challenges in addressing the disparities in educational opportunities and resources across its schools, but the data suggests that targeted interventions and a focus on equity could lead to meaningful improvements.