Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools in the 72223 zip code of Little Rock, Arkansas, serving grades K-5 (with two offering Pre-K) and belonging to the Little Rock School District and the Pulaski County Special School District.
Don Roberts Elementary School is the standout performer, consistently ranking among the top 11 schools in the state with test scores often double the district and state averages. Baker Elementary School also excels, particularly in 4th-grade Mathematics and Science, where it outperforms even Don Roberts. Chenal Elementary School performs well but shows significant year-over-year volatility, dropping from 23rd to 97th in state rank. Joe T. Robinson Elementary School is the lowest-performing school in the area, with scores consistently below state averages. A key finding is that higher spending and smaller class sizes do not guarantee better outcomes—Don Roberts has the highest student-teacher ratio (19.2:1) and second-lowest spending, while Joe T. Robinson has the smallest class size (12.6:1) and higher spending. Socioeconomic factors show a strong correlation with performance, as Joe T. Robinson has the highest free/reduced lunch rate (45.76%) and the lowest scores, while Don Roberts and Baker have the lowest rates and highest scores.
Overall, families in 72223 have access to a wide range of school quality, from top-tier institutions like Don Roberts and Baker to lower-performing options like Joe T. Robinson. The data suggests that school culture and teaching quality may matter more than financial resources or class size. Parents should also note the volatility at Chenal Elementary and the exceptional grade-level spikes at Baker, which may indicate specialized strengths or effective teachers. The two districts represented show similar overall performance, but individual school outcomes vary dramatically within the Pulaski County Special School District.
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