Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 72118

This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 72118 of North Little Rock, Arkansas: Crystal Hill Elementary, Amboy Elementary School, and Oak Grove Elementary School, all serving Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade and facing significant academic challenges compared to state averages.

Crystal Hill Elementary is the top-performing school in the area, earning a 2-star rating and ranking 345th out of 491 schools in the state. It is the only school to outperform its district, the Pulaski County Special School District, in Mathematics (35.1% proficiency) and 3rd-grade Science (43.1%). In contrast, Oak Grove Elementary School, also in the same district, stands out for having the highest spending per student ($18,904) and the lowest student-to-teacher ratio (12:1), yet it ranks lowest in the zip code (405th) with the worst math scores (21.7% proficiency). Amboy Elementary School, part of the North Little Rock School District, shows the most dramatic year-over-year improvement, with proficiency rates roughly doubling from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, despite serving a student population with the highest level of economic disadvantage.

A key takeaway is that resources do not guarantee results, as Oak Grove Elementary’s high spending and small classes fail to translate into strong performance. Additionally, all three schools share a consistent weakness in 4th grade, where proficiency in English Language Arts, Math, and Science drops significantly compared to 3rd and 5th grades, suggesting a systemic transition issue. While Crystal Hill Elementary is the academic anchor, it still performs below state averages in most subjects, highlighting the overall challenges in this area.