High Schools in North Little Rock School District

The N. Little Rock School District is home to two high schools: North Little Rock High School and North Little Rock Center of Excellence. While both schools serve a predominantly African American student population with high rates of economic disadvantage, the Center of Excellence stands out as the higher-performing school compared to North Little Rock High.

The Center of Excellence has a higher statewide ranking, a better SchoolDigger rating, and stronger academic performance across several metrics. For example, the Center of Excellence had higher proficiency rates than the district and state averages in English and Reading for 9th and 10th graders, while North Little Rock High lagged behind. Additionally, the Center of Excellence has a lower student-teacher ratio, which may contribute to its better academic outcomes.

Despite the performance gap, both schools face significant challenges in providing high-quality education to their students. The high rates of free/reduced lunch recipients at both schools indicate a high level of economic disadvantage in the district, which likely presents challenges in terms of student learning and achievement. The difference in per-student spending between the two schools also raises questions about the efficient allocation of resources and the factors that contribute to the performance gap.