Summary:
Zip code 72117, covering parts of North Little Rock and Sherwood, Arkansas, is home to six schools serving elementary through high school grades, split between the high-performing Lisa Academy charter network and the traditional public schools of the North Little Rock School District and Pulaski County Special School District.
The standout performer is Lisa Academy North High School, ranked in the 89th percentile statewide with strong English and reading scores and a 90.7% graduation rate. Its middle school excels in advanced coursework like Algebra and Geometry, while its elementary school also ranks well. In stark contrast, Harris Elementary School and Glenview Elementary School rank in the bottom 5% of Arkansas elementary schools, with proficiency rates often 20-30 points below state averages. Meadow Park Elementary School also struggles, ranking in the bottom 20%.
A key finding is the spending paradox: the lowest-performing schools spend the most per student. Harris Elementary spends $22,401 per student (4th percentile rank), while Lisa Academy North High spends $10,464 (89th percentile). This suggests deeper systemic issues beyond funding. Additionally, Harris Elementary shows a troubling "5th grade cliff," where proficiency in English Language Arts drops from 27.2% in 3rd grade to just 4.3% by 5th grade. For parents, the Lisa Academy schools offer a clear path to strong academic outcomes, while the district schools face significant challenges that require careful consideration.
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