Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 72206

This analysis examines six elementary schools in zip code 72206, serving grades K-5 across the Little Rock and College Station areas, which are part of three distinct school districts: the Sheridan School District, the Pulaski County Special School District, and the Little Rock School District.

The standout schools in this area are East End Elementary School and East End Intermediate School, both part of the Sheridan School District. These are the only schools in the zip code to earn a 4-star rating and rank in the 85th percentile statewide, with test scores meeting or exceeding state averages. In stark contrast, Washington Elementary School in the Little Rock School District is the most challenged, with a 0-star rating and the lowest state ranking (6th percentile), despite having the highest per-student spending at $25,295. The most dramatic story is College Station Elementary School, which jumped from the 4th percentile to the 27th percentile in just one year, showing significant improvement. The three schools in the Pulaski County Special School District—Daisy Bates Elementary School, Landmark Elementary School, and College Station—cluster in the middle-to-low range (18th to 27th percentile), with Landmark outperforming Daisy Bates in most subjects despite similar poverty levels.

A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee success: the two highest-spending schools (Washington and College Station) are among the lowest-performing, while the top-performing East End schools spend the least per student. District affiliation heavily influences outcomes, with Sheridan School District schools leading, followed by Pulaski County Special School District, and Little Rock School District at the bottom. The College Station turnaround demonstrates that rapid academic progress is possible even in high-poverty schools, highlighting the impact of effective interventions and school leadership.