2026 data 23 schools AR

Best Schools in NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR

23 public K-12 schools in NORTH LITTLE ROCK from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

23 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

23
Schools
11,838
Students
Avg Quality
15.1:1
Avg Class Size

How the NORTH LITTLE ROCK Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR enrolls 11,838 students across 23 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, 5 are charter schools, giving families genuine alternatives to the traditional neighbourhood assignment model. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 15.1:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in NORTH LITTLE ROCK is Arkansas Virtual Academy High School, scoring 29/100 (F) with 2,567 enrolled students at the high level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect NORTH LITTLE ROCK housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

Arkansas Virtual Academy High School accounts for 21.7% of all NORTH LITTLE ROCK public-school enrollment

That concentration — well above the 8.4% national median for largest-entity share — means NORTH LITTLE ROCK-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the dominant entity. Grade band: high. A dominant campus often anchors a city's program landscape and absorbs a disproportionate share of district capital and staffing decisions. When one entity dominates a region's footprint, its programmatic and budget decisions effectively set policy for a majority of the affected population.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

NORTH LITTLE ROCK school enrollment varies 83× across entities

NORTH LITTLE ROCK school enrollment ranges from 31 students (lowest) to 2,567 students (highest), a spread of 2,536 students. That ratio is among the widest observed and reflects extreme heterogeneity inside a single city — small specialty programs sit alongside large comprehensive campuses, often serving very different family demographics inside walking distance. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

NORTH LITTLE ROCK has higher-than-average Title I eligibility — 94.3% of the population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch

free or reduced-price lunch eligibility is the federal threshold for Title I funding allocations, established under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015). Areas above 75% eligibility — including this one — receive concentration grants on top of the basic Title I formula. Regions with eligibility this high typically draw a substantially larger federal funding share relative to their local tax base, which can either offset or reinforce existing gaps depending on allocation policy.

Source: ESSA Title I Part A; ED EDFacts file system ESSA Title I Part A; ED EDFacts file system

NORTH LITTLE ROCK operates 7 school districts — among the most fragmented governance structures in the country

Each school district has independent budgeting, hiring, and service delivery authority. The fragmentation reflects historical patterns of inter-municipal boundary lines that pre-date modern city growth — students in different parts of the same city can attend different districts with different per-pupil spending, calendars, and graduation requirements. Per-region variation is largest in fragmented systems because each school district sets its own budget, contracts, and priorities without higher-level coordination above the regulatory floor.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

NORTH LITTLE ROCK student-teacher ratio is 15.1:1 — near the typical range (US average ~16) — aligned with the U.S. average of approximately 16:1

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Variation between sub-units within NORTH LITTLE ROCK is typically wider than the NORTH LITTLE ROCK-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

NORTH LITTLE ROCK has higher-than-average charter school authorisation eligibility — 21.7% of the population qualifies for charter-school enrollment options

charter-school enrollment options eligibility is the federal threshold for charter school authorisation funding allocations, established under the state-specific charter law. Areas above 30% eligibility receive concentration grants on top of the basic charter school authorisation formula. Regions with eligibility this high typically draw a substantially larger federal funding share relative to their local tax base, which can either offset or reinforce existing gaps depending on allocation policy.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

# School Score
1. Arkansas Virtual Academy High School 29 F
2. North Little Rock High School 42 D
3. Lakewood Middle School 39 F
4. North Little Rock Middle School 6th Grade Campus 41 D
5. Ridgeroad Elementary School 31 F
6. Crystal Hill Elementary 41 D
7. North Little Rock Center of Excellence 43 D
8. Meadow Park Elementary School 38 F
9. Crestwood Elementary School 24 F
10. Amboy Elementary School 26 F
11. Boone Park Elementary School 30 F
12. Lakewood Elementary School 27 F
13. Indian Hills Elementary School 28 F
14. Glenview Elementary School 36 F
15. Cato Elementary School 40 D
16. Seventh Street Elem. School 38 F
17. Redwood Pre-School 50 C-
18. Oak Grove Elementary School 25 F
19. Harris Elementary School 54 C-
20. Premier High School of North Little Rock 28 F
21. Capital City Lighthouse Elementary Academy 25 F
22. Westwind School for Performing Arts School 71 B
23. Cstp-Civilian Student Training Program 69 B-

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR?

The top-rated school in NORTH LITTLE ROCK is Arkansas Virtual Academy High School with a quality score of 29/100. There are 23 public schools in NORTH LITTLE ROCK with 11,838 total students.

How many schools are in NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR?

NORTH LITTLE ROCK has 23 public schools with a total enrollment of 11,838 students. 5 are charter schools. Average student-teacher ratio: 15.1:1.

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Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.