Wakefield Elementary School

Wakefield Elementary School in Little Rock, AR, is a K-5 school serving 493 students within the Little Rock School District, where over 99% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a community with extremely high economic need. While the school has faced significant academic challenges overall, it stands out for a unique and growing strength in Mathematics, particularly in the upper grades, which sets it apart from many nearby schools.

Wakefield’s math performance is a clear bright spot. In the 2025-2026 school year, 30.6% of students were proficient in Math, matching the district average and outperforming nearby schools like Stephens Elementary (13%) and Bale Elementary School (15.6%). Even more impressive, 5th graders achieved a 41.6% math proficiency rate, exceeding the district average of 36.8%. This suggests a powerful instructional strategy kicks in after 3rd grade, where math proficiency is only 12.5%. However, English Language Arts (ELA) and Science scores lag significantly—21.5% and 15.5% proficient, respectively—compared to the district (31.7% and 32.4%). Nearby charter schools like Ivy Hill Preparatory Academy (33% ELA) and Friendship Academy Little Rock Elementary (51.5% Math) show higher performance in these areas.

The school also faces a "3rd grade slump," with alarmingly low scores across all subjects (12.5% proficient), a critical year for reading to learn. Despite spending $16,594 per student—higher than the state average and schools like Watson Elementary School ($14,881)—academic outcomes remain low, a common challenge for high-poverty schools where funding often goes to wraparound services. The 5th grade class is a relative bright spot, with the highest ELA (26.1%) and Reading (24.6%) scores in the school, suggesting potential for growth. For parents, Wakefield offers a promising math program in grades 4 and 5, but significant work is needed in ELA and Science to balance the academic profile.