Best High Schools in Zip Code 72114

Zip code 72114 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: North Little Rock High School and North Little Rock Center Of Excellence, both part of the North Little Rock School District.

The North Little Rock Center Of Excellence is the standout school in this area, dramatically outperforming its larger counterpart. With only 472 students compared to 1,652 at North Little Rock High School, the Center of Excellence achieves a 92.2% graduation rate (above the state average) versus 83.5%, and a dropout rate of just 1.2% compared to 5.7%. Academically, the Center of Excellence posts a 46.8% proficiency rate in English Language Arts versus 24.1% at the comprehensive high school, and a 52% reading proficiency rate versus 28.2%. The Center of Excellence ranks in the 55th percentile statewide (3-star rating), while North Little Rock High School ranks in the 16th percentile (1-star rating). Notably, the Center of Excellence achieves these results while spending $10,273 per student—nearly 60% less than the $16,410 spent at the comprehensive high school—proving that program structure matters more than raw spending.

Both schools serve an almost entirely economically disadvantaged student population (over 99% free/reduced lunch), making the Center of Excellence's success particularly noteworthy. However, math remains a universal challenge: Algebra proficiency is just 11.1% at the comprehensive high school and 16% at the Center of Excellence, both far below the state average of 36.9%. The Center of Excellence shows strong year-over-year improvement, jumping from the 33rd to the 55th percentile in state rankings, with double-digit gains in ELA, reading, and biology proficiency. For parents, the data clearly shows that the smaller, specialized North Little Rock Center Of Excellence offers a far more effective educational environment than the traditional large-school model at North Little Rock High School.