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Western Hills Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

429^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 13% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Western Hills Elementary School is a K-5 school in Little Rock, AR, serving 202 students within the Little Rock School District, where nearly all students (98.51%) qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a high-poverty area.

This school stands out for its dramatic academic turnaround. After ranking in the bottom 1% of Arkansas elementary schools in 2023-2024, it has climbed to the 13th percentile in 2025-2026, a 61-spot jump. Test scores have more than tripled in just two years, from single-digit proficiency rates to 19.4% in ELA and 23.7% in Math. This growth is unique among nearby LRSD schools like Stephens Elementary and Watson Elementary School, which have remained stagnant or declined. The school also maintains a very low student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, the best among its LRSD peers, despite spending less per student than nearby schools like J.A. Fair K8 Preparatory School.

An interesting pattern is a "4th grade slump," where 4th graders score very low (3.4% in ELA), while 5th graders perform much better, even exceeding the district average in Math (40.5% vs. 36.8%) and Science (35.1% vs. 33.6%). This 5th-grade math performance is competitive with charter schools like Friendship Academy Little Rock Elementary (28.5%) and Exalt Academy Of Southwest Little Rock (19.1%). The school's recent growth suggests effective strategies are narrowing the achievement gap with area charter schools, making it a potential turnaround story in a high-poverty context.

202

Students ?

12.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,363

Per pupil spending ?

98.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4901 Western Hills Ave
Little Rock, AR 72204

(501) 447-6900

District: Little Rock School District

Racial breakdown:

African American:

55.4%

Hispanic:

34.2%

White:

7.4%

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 1st percentile in 2024 → 13th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 13th (2026) from a 1st-percentile low (2024)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arkansas average (22% vs 42% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (13th percentile)

!Science scores 21 pts below the Arkansas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school22%

District avg32%

Arkansas avg42%

429^th of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 13%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From bottom 19% (2016) to bottom 13% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

11^th of 22Elementary Schools in the Little Rock School District

178^th of 251Little Rock School District 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	18.2	429 of 491	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	13.3	452 of 495	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	5.1	490 of 497	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.4	478 of 492	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	12.8	431 of 487	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.8	462 of 496	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	11.4	444 of 488	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	20.6	408 of 480	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	23.7	400 of 485	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	26.8	402 of 494	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	38.9	294 of 466	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	11.0	444 of 471	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	17.8	426 of 476	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	8.8	446 of 468	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	20.0	418 of 471	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	31.1	363 of 457	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	27.8	356 of 445	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	42.5	304 of 439	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	35.3	328 of 440	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	22.4	329 of 402	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	22.4	344 of 411	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics24%-20 vs state

Science23%-21 vs state

Reading20%-20 vs state

English Language Arts19%-20 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Tuesday, February 12, 2019

I love the way Western Hills welcomes community engagement! Great adults and students! Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, May 25, 2018

This is an excellent school. The faculty and staff are so thoughtful and caring. My child learned more here than any of the other schools she went to. Close Quote

Schools Near Western Hills Elementary 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 Science (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 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	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 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Western Hills Elementary School	Public	K-5	4901 Western Hills Ave	Little Rock	72204	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-6900	202	16	12.5	98.5%	15 (7.4%)	112 (55.4%)	69 (34.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.0%)	18.2	429^th of 491 public elementary schools	12.6%		13.3	452^nd of 495 public elementary schools	8.7%	23	18.5	3.4	32.4				19.4	22.2	3.4	32.4				20.4	18.5	6.8	40.5				23.7			22.2	6.9	35.1				22.6	$17,363	$1,707	$15,657
Bale Elementary School	Public	K-5	6501 W 32nd Street	Little Rock	72204	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-3600	330	22	15.0	99.1%	16 (4.8%)	234 (70.9%)	55 (16.7%)	3 (0.9%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	18 (5.5%)	10	463^rd of 491 public elementary schools	5.7%		5.4	491^st of 495 public elementary schools	0.8%	28	15.5	23.4	22.5				20.5	22.2	23.4	22.4				22.7	13.3	17.1	16.3				15.6			26.6	19.1	10.2				18.4	$16,780	$2,965	$13,815
Wakefield Elementary School	Public	K-5	75 Westminister	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-6600	493	29	16.9	99.4%	40 (8.1%)	259 (52.5%)	183 (37.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.4%)	16.3	437^th of 491 public elementary schools	11.0%		16.8	433^rd of 495 public elementary schools	12.5%	4	12.5	25.6	26.1				21.5	12.5	29.2	24.6				22.3	12.5	37.8	41.6				30.6			12.5	18.3	15.4				15.5	$16,594	$2,912	$13,682
Academies Of Math And Science School	Public, Charter	K-8	6423 Stagecoach Road	Little Rock	72204	Pulaski County	Academies Of Math And Science	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(501) 295-3424	486	30	16.3	70.2%	52 (10.7%)	348 (71.6%)	69 (14.2%)	3 (0.6%)	13 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27.8	389^th of 491 public elementary schools	20.8%					(n/a)	30.7	35.1	32.2	30.8	38.2	14.3	30.9	32.3	35.1	32.2	34.6	40.0	21.4	33.0	22.5	35.7	17.0	21.6	25.4	9.5	22.4			32.3	32.7	30.5	35.3	38.2	16.7	31.5
Exalt Academy Of Southwest Little Rock	Public, Charter	K-8	6111 W 83rd Street	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Exalt Academy Of Southwest Little Rock	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 568-3279	754	61	12.3	95.6%	11 (1.5%)	112 (14.9%)	625 (82.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.8%)	6.6	481^st of 491 public elementary schools	2.0%		12.5	455^th of 495 public elementary schools	8.1%	26	9.1	19.4	16.7	10.8	25.5	20.3	16.8	10.1	22.4	16.7	10.8	24.4	28.4	18.5	17.4	22.4	19.1	12.0	25.5	15.1	19.0	42.8	42.8	12.7	23.4	10.7	12.0	30.9	20.3	18.4	$12,813	$1,570	$11,244
Friendship Academy Little Rock Elementary	Public, Charter	K-5	Little Rock Ar 72204	Pine Bluff	71603	Pulaski County	Friendship Aspire Academies Arkansas	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(501) 500-0558	200	13	15.1	76.5%	0 (0.0%)	186 (93.0%)	11 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.5%)	29.7	377^th of 491 public elementary schools	23.2%		15.6	439^th of 495 public elementary schools	11.3%	62	32.2	28.2	17.9				26.4	32.2	23.1	13.7				22.9	71.4	53.8	28.5				51.5			39.3	23.0	21.5				27.4
J.A. Fair K8 Preparatory School	Public	K-8	13420 David O Dodd Road	Little Rock	72210	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-1700	779	53	14.7	99.6%	73 (9.4%)	531 (68.2%)	155 (19.9%)	5 (0.6%)	6 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.2%)	9.9	464^th of 491 public elementary schools	5.5%		7	482^nd of 495 public elementary schools	2.6%	18	23.6	9.3	23.7	19.0	13.9	16.9	17.5	22.3	7.3	20.0	21.0	15.7	17.7	17.7	25.0	14.5	20.4	22.0	12.1	21.3	19.1	100.0	100.0	25.0	3.6	25.5	13.0	14.0	18.6	16.5	$18,016	$2,621	$15,394
Brady Elementary School	Public	K-5	7915 W Markham Street	Little Rock	72205	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-3900	309	21	14.7	99.0%	26 (8.4%)	248 (80.3%)	11 (3.6%)	11 (3.6%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.6%)								(n/a)																															$17,641	$2,118	$15,523
Stephens Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3700 W 18th Street	Little Rock	72204	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-6400	474	27	17.5	99.4%	23 (4.9%)	397 (83.8%)	27 (5.7%)	5 (1.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.2%)	5.7	484^th of 491 public elementary schools	1.4%		5.2	492^nd of 495 public elementary schools	0.6%	8	14.5	10.9	16.6				14.0	18.4	9.4	18.2				15.5	14.5	10.8	13.4				13.0			22.3	14.1	13.6				17.0	$17,478	$3,256	$14,222
Watson Elementary School	Public	K-5	7000 Valley Drive	Little Rock	72209	Pulaski County	Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 447-6800	383	22	17.4	99.2%	14 (3.7%)	164 (42.8%)	197 (51.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	7 (1.8%)	5.5	485^th of 491 public elementary schools	1.2%		5.9	489^th of 495 public elementary schools	1.2%	4	10.3	13.8	13.1				12.5	8.6	13.7	14.7				12.4	13.7	17.2	22.9				18.0			15.5	10.3	16.4				14.1	$14,881	$2,247	$12,633

Frequently Asked Questions about Western Hills Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Western Hills Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Western Hills Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Little Rock Southwest High School

Is Western Hills Elementary School a good school?

Western Hills Elementary School ranks in the bottom 12.6% of Arkansas elementary schools.

How many students attend Western Hills Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 202 students attended Western Hills Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Western Hills Elementary School?

Students at Western Hills Elementary School are 55% African American, 34% Hispanic, 7% White, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Western Hills Elementary School in?

Little Rock School District

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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.