Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Little Rock’s public schools score below 75% of Arkansas districts on tests and graduation
29% of students in Little Rock’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Arkansas average (38%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Little Rock, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arkansas, not nationally.
From Arkansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Little Rock’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 234 Arkansas towns with household incomes within a quarter of Little Rock’s, its schools beat 15%, lower than their 25% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 40% and 38% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Little Rock spends $17,548 per student and Pulaski County Special $14,871, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lisa Academy West Middle School, Lisa Academy West High School, Lisa Academy West Elementary School, Lisa Academy Arkansas Hybrid School, Estem Junior High Public Charter School, Estem Elementary School, Estem High School, Estem East Village Elementary Public Charter School, Graduate Arkansas Charter High, Premier High School of Little Rock, Founders Classical Academies of Arkansas West Little Rock, Founders Classical Academies of Ark West Little Rock Elem, Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock, The Excel Center, Ivy Hill Preparatory Academy, Friendship Academy Little Rock Elementary, Friendship Aspire Academy Little Rock Middle School, Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy, Academies of Math and Science School, Little Rock Christian Academy (private), The Episcopal Collegiate School (private), Episcopal Collegiate School (private), Catholic High School for Boys (private), Christ the King School (private), The Baptist Preparatory School (private), Our Lady of the Holy Souls (private), Mt. St. Mary Academy (private), The Anthony School (private), Southwest Christian Academy (private), St. Theresa Catholic School (private), The Huda Academy (private), Little Rock Montessori School (private), Baseline Bilingual School (private), The Academy at Riverdale (private), Easterseals Academy at Riverdale (private), Chenal Valley Montessori School (private), The Childrens House Montessori School (private), Pinnacle Classical Academy (private), Agape Academy (private) and Shiloh Excel Christian School (private) are in town. Arkansas Virtual Academy Middle School, Arkansas Virtual Academy Elementary, Arkansas Virtual Academy High School and Premier High School Online, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Little Rock’s grade
C: better than 25% of Arkansas school districts, #107 of 123 Arkansas towns. Both inputs trail the Arkansas average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Little Rock, with each school’s own grade.
Little Rock runs its own schools through grade 12 (Little Rock School District). From grade PK, students attend the Pulaski County Special School District, shared with Maumelle, North Little Rock, Sherwood and Wrightsville. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Little Rock
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Little Rock vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Little Rock’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | C | Little Rock PK–12 · Pulaski County Special PK–12 |
| Alexander | A | Bryant |
| North Little Rock | C | Pulaski County Special PK–12 · North Little Rock PK–12 |
Every school in Little Rock
88 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arkansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Metropolitan Career & Technical Center).
Questions about Little Rock’s schools
Are Little Rock’s schools good?
On Arkansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Little Rock children attend score below 75% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #107 of 123 Arkansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Little Rock in?
Two districts: Little Rock School District runs grades PK–12, and Pulaski County Special School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Maumelle, North Little Rock, Sherwood and Wrightsville.
Where do Little Rock kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Central High School, Little Rock Southwest High School, Parkview Magnet High School, Joe T. Robinson High School and Hall High School - West Soi.
What is Little Rock’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Little Rock School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas.
How much does Little Rock spend per student?
$17,548 in Little Rock School District and $14,871 in Pulaski County Special School District (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Little Rock?
Yes: Little Rock Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 1,694 students), The Episcopal Collegiate School (religious, grades PK–12, 862 students), Episcopal Collegiate School (religious, grades PK–12, 815 students), Catholic High School for Boys (catholic · all-boys, grades 9–12, 705 students), Christ the King School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 594 students), The Baptist Preparatory School (religious, grades PK–12, 586 students), Our Lady of the Holy Souls (Catholic, grades PK–8, 511 students), Mt. St. Mary Academy (catholic · all-girls, grades 9–12, 477 students), The Anthony School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 325 students), Southwest Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 261 students), St. Theresa Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 212 students), The Huda Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 202 students), Little Rock Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 122 students), Baseline Bilingual School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 111 students), The Academy at Riverdale (special education, grades K–12, 74 students), Easterseals Academy at Riverdale (special education, grades K–12, 73 students), Chenal Valley Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK, 70 students), The Childrens House Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 69 students), Pinnacle Classical Academy (religious, grades PK–10, 65 students), Agape Academy (religious, grades PK–2, 37 students) and Shiloh Excel Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 10 students). Little Rock also has 19 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Little Rock families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Little Rock → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arkansas. Stars are from neighbors.