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Estem Junior High Public Charter School

Q: Is Estem Junior High Public Charter School a good school?

Estem Junior High Public Charter School ranks 131 st of 327 Arkansas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades 7-8

131^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 327 Arkansas Middle Schools

Better than 60% of Arkansas middle schools

Summary

Estem Junior High Public Charter School in downtown Little Rock, AR, serves 401 students in grades 7 and 8 and stands out as a high-performing academic option in a challenging urban landscape, with 73.57% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The school's most remarkable strength is its exceptional performance in advanced math: in the 2025-2026 school year, 88.5% of Estem students taking the Algebra ATLAS exam were proficient, compared to the state average of just 36.9%—a staggering 51.6 percentage point advantage. This far exceeds nearby schools like Lisa Academy West Middle School (73.6%) and Pulaski Heights Middle School (77.5%), making Estem the top performer among its direct competitors in advanced mathematics.

However, Estem presents a fascinating paradox: while its Algebra scores are world-class, its general Mathematics proficiency is a weakness, with only 40.9% of students proficient—below the state average of 44.1%. This suggests the school is highly effective at accelerating top math students into Algebra, but the broader 7th and 8th-grade math curriculum may struggle to meet the needs of the general student body. The school also maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, significantly better than Lisa Academy North Middle School (17.1:1) and North Little Rock Middle School (14.1:1), combining small class sizes with strong academic results.

Estem's ranking history shows volatility, with a "golden era" from 2015-2018 in the top 20% of Arkansas middle schools, followed by fluctuations between the 45th and 72nd percentiles, and a recent rebound to the 60th percentile (3 stars). Despite spending less per student ($12,641) than nearby schools like Mann Magnet Middle School ($16,625) and Dunbar Magnet Middle School ($20,142), Estem achieves far better outcomes, suggesting high operational efficiency. In a landscape where schools like Dunbar Magnet (1st percentile) and Mills Middle School (10th percentile) are among the lowest-performing in the state, Estem serves as a vital educational alternative, providing a tangible academic advantage for its students through its charter model, curriculum focus, and smaller class sizes.

401

Students ?

13.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,641

Per pupil spending ?

73.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

112 W 3rd St
Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 748-9335

District: Estem Public Charter School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

71.3%

White:

13.5%

Hispanic:

10.7%

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 45th percentile in 2021 → 60th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 60th (2026) from a 45th-percentile low (2021)

✓Above the Arkansas median (60th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school41%

District avg39%

Arkansas avg41%

131^st of 327

Arkansas public middle schools ?

Top 40%▼ down 28 pts since 2016

From top 12% (2016) to top 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

104^th of 251Estem Public Charter School among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	57.1	131 of 327	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.0	151 of 324	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.1	93 of 335	72.2%	★★★★☆
2023	49.4	181 of 330	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	60.7	128 of 318	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.6	183 of 330	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.5	156 of 319	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	74.2	64 of 318	79.9%	★★★★☆
2017	74.1	54 of 315	82.9%	★★★★☆
2016	77.7	37 of 312	88.1%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Algebra88%+52 vs state

Mathematics41%-3 vs state

English Language Arts40%~ state avg

Reading40%~ state avg

Science39%-5 vs state

★

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Schools Near Estem Junior High Public Charter School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)				ATLAS Reading (2026)				ATLAS Mathematics (2026)				ATLAS Algebra (2026)			ATLAS Geometry (2026)		ATLAS Science (2026)				ATLAS Biology (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 7th Grade	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 8th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	ATLAS Biology 8th Grade	ATLAS Biology All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Estem Junior High Public Charter School	Public, Charter	7-8	112 W 3rd St	Little Rock	72201	Pulaski County	Estem Public Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 748-9335	401	30	13.3	73.6%	54 (13.5%)	286 (71.3%)	43 (10.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.0%)	57.1	131^st of 327 public middle schools	59.9%		52	151^st of 324 public middle schools	53.4%	20		37.9	42.2	40.2		37.3	42.5	40.0		39.1	42.7	40.9		89.5	88.5				36.6	41.8	39.3			$12,641	$1,317	$11,324
Arkansas Virtual Academy Middle School	Public, Virtual, Charter	6-8	717 West 7th Street	Little Rock	72201	Pulaski County	Arkansas Virtual Academy	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	(501) 664-4225	1,315	44	30.1	56.3%	875 (66.5%)	239 (18.2%)	107 (8.1%)	8 (0.6%)	23 (1.7%)	1 (0.1%)	62 (4.7%)	26.4	258^th of 327 public middle schools	21.1%		34	228^th of 324 public middle schools	29.6%	30	23.1	20.3	27.4	24.0	28.3	27.4	33.1	30.0	21.7	31.0	29.2	27.7	80.0	46.9	51.4			24.5	31.6	32.7	30.2
Dunbar Magnet Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1100 Wright Ave	Little Rock	72206	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(501) 447-2600	315	32	9.7	99.0%	10 (3.2%)	269 (85.4%)	32 (10.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	4.8	323^rd of 327 public middle schools	1.2%		7	313^th of 324 public middle schools	3.4%	10	12.3	11.4	7.4	10.6	14.7	13.8	10.5	13.3	15.6	17.0	9.7	14.7		40.0	40.0			11.4	13.8	11.6	12.4			$20,142	$2,364	$17,778
Mann Magnet Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1000 E. Roosevelt	Little Rock	72206	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(501) 447-3100	557	41	13.7	99.5%	29 (5.2%)	413 (74.1%)	97 (17.4%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.2%)	15.7	293^rd of 327 public middle schools	10.4%		15.1	289^th of 324 public middle schools	10.8%	4	21.2	24.7	21.3	22.3	22.4	25.2	24.2	24.0	20.0	19.2	11.6	17.0		48.8	48.8			24.1	29.5	23.8	25.7			$16,625	$1,860	$14,765
Pulaski Heights Middle School	Public	6-8	401 N Pine	Little Rock	72205	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-3200	585	41	14.2	59.0%	212 (36.2%)	335 (57.3%)	21 (3.6%)	7 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.7%)	40.4	207^th of 327 public middle schools	36.7%		43.5	191^st of 324 public middle schools	41.0%	16	36.9	34.2	34.8	35.3	37.5	35.9	36.0	36.5	24.9	28.1	25.0	26.1		77.5	77.5			35.2	34.8	41.7	37.3			$16,686	$2,009	$14,677
Friendship Aspire Academy Little Rock Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	Little Rock Ar 72204	Pine Bluff	71603	Pulaski County	Friendship Aspire Academies Arkansas	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(501) 621-1500	62	8	7.8	77.4%	1 (1.6%)	49 (79.0%)	12 (19.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17	289^th of 327 public middle schools	11.6%		11.8	299^th of 324 public middle schools	7.7%	10	10.0	30.3	23.1	19.8	10.0	33.3	38.5	23.3	20.0	24.2	25.0	22.4						12.5	24.2	25.0	18.8
North Little Rock Middle School 6th Grade Campus	Public	6	2300 Lakeview Road	North Little Rock	72116	Pulaski County	North Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 771-8250	548	44	12.5	100.0%	82 (15.0%)	347 (63.3%)	78 (14.2%)	6 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (6.0%)								(n/a)	29.1			29.1	29.7			29.7	28.2			28.2						27.9			27.9			$14,255	$2,557	$11,698
North Little Rock Middle School	Public	7-8	2400 Lakeview Road	North Little Rock	72116	Pulaski County	North Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 771-8200	1,036	73	14.1	100.0%	176 (17.0%)	643 (62.1%)	157 (15.2%)	6 (0.6%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (4.9%)	14	299^th of 327 public middle schools	8.6%		14.3	294^th of 324 public middle schools	9.3%	5		18.4	24.6	21.2		19.4	26.1	22.5		17.7	15.3	16.7		16.7	25.7	70.0	70.0		21.0	23.1	22.0			$12,826	$2,380	$10,446
Lisa Academy North Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	1 Lisa Academy Way	North Little Rock	72117	Pulaski County	Lisa Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 945-2727	353	22	16.0	68.8%	76 (21.5%)	149 (42.2%)	90 (25.5%)	22 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.5%)	62	113^th of 327 public middle schools	65.4%		66.9	84^th of 324 public middle schools	74.1%	29	46.4	55.3	44.8	48.7	48.2	55.3	44.8	49.4	42.8	35.5	17.0	34.7	96.3	23.1	60.4	73.1	73.1	39.1	67.0	26.6	45.6	84.6	84.6	$15,661	$1,206	$14,455
Mills Middle School	Public	6-8	1205 E. Dixon Rd	Little Rock	72206	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 234-5251	420	42	9.9	65.2%	63 (15.0%)	205 (48.8%)	129 (30.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.0%)	14.8	294^th of 327 public middle schools	10.1%		10.7	305^th of 324 public middle schools	5.9%	11	22.9	21.4	19.7	21.2	26.6	26.7	22.6	25.2	21.1	15.5	15.9	17.5	33.3	20.9	25.6			18.4	26.0	26.3	23.8			$15,755	$1,292	$14,462

Frequently Asked Questions about Estem Junior High Public Charter School

What is the racial makeup of Estem Junior High Public Charter School?

Students at Estem Junior High Public Charter School are 71% African American, 13% White, 11% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

How many students attend Estem Junior High Public Charter School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 401 students attended Estem Junior High Public Charter School.

Is Estem Junior High Public Charter School a good school?

Estem Junior High Public Charter School ranks 131^st of 327 Arkansas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Estem Junior High Public Charter School in?

Estem Public Charter School

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Latest Arkansas data All new data »

2025–26 ATLAS test scoresJul 13, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2019–20 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 dropout ratesJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.