Summary:
In zip code 72227, there is one elementary school, McDermott Elementary School, serving grades K-5 in Little Rock, Arkansas, as part of the Little Rock School District.
McDermott Elementary School serves 254 students and faces significant challenges. The school has an exceptionally high rate of economic disadvantage, with 98.82% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. Academically, the school consistently underperforms compared to both the district and state averages. For the 2025-2026 school year, proficiency rates are roughly half of the district average and less than half of the state average in every subject. The most dramatic gap is in Mathematics, where only 13.9% of students are proficient compared to 44.1% statewide. The school's state ranking has also declined sharply, dropping from the 17th percentile to the 5th percentile in just one year.
Despite high per-student spending of $20,488, which is well above national averages, academic outcomes remain among the lowest in the state. This suggests that while funding is available, it may not be translating into effective instruction, possibly due to the overwhelming challenges associated with concentrated poverty. A notable finding is a clear drop in performance for 4th graders, with proficiency rates falling to roughly 10% in ELA and Reading, compared to 28% for 3rd graders. This pattern suggests a systemic issue at the 4th-grade level that may require targeted intervention.
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