Jefferson Elementary School

Summary:

Jefferson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Little Rock, Arkansas, serving 413 students in grades K-5. The school stands out as a high-performing outlier within the Little Rock School District, which is ranked 189 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Jefferson Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Arkansas, with a statewide ranking of 1 out of 497 schools and a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's test scores are significantly higher than the district and state averages across all subjects and grade levels, with 82.1% of students proficient or better in ATLAS/Mathematics, compared to 23.4% for the district and 36.4% for the state. Additionally, Jefferson Elementary has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 31.23%, suggesting it serves a more affluent population compared to nearby schools like Fulbright Elementary and Terry Elementary.

The stark contrast in academic performance between Jefferson Elementary and the other schools within the Little Rock School District raises questions about equity and access to quality education. While Jefferson Elementary's success highlights the potential for excellence within the district, it also underscores the need to address the performance gaps between schools and ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education.


Detail:

Public K-5

 2600 N McKinley St
       Little Rock, AR  72207


(501) 447-5000

District: Little Rock School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1st of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,572 Help


Students who attend Jefferson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Pulaski Heights Middle School
High:    Central High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.7 Help
Number of students:  384

Racial breakdown:

White:
69.5%
African American:
20.3%
Hispanic:
4.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36.7% Help


 See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

 Compare Jefferson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Jefferson Elementary School ranks better than 99.8% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks first among 23 ranked elementary schools in the Little Rock School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 99.19. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (69.5%), African American (20.3%), Hispanic (4.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 36.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School is 16.7. 13 elementary schools in the Little Rock School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Jefferson Elementary School employs 22.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Jefferson Elementary School is $12,572, which is the 12th highest among 23 elementary schools in the Little Rock School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Jefferson Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Little Rock School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Little Rock School District 189th of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Jefferson Elementary School?

Rank History for Jefferson Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 68.42 119th 411 71.0%
2006 65.80 145th 402 63.9%
2007 71.06 116th 440 73.6%
2008 71.57 122nd 439 72.2%
2009 82.76 45th 445 89.9%
2010 83.22 39th 457 91.5%
2011 80.99 51st 471 89.2%
2012 74.47 88th 468 81.2%
2013 86.48 17th 476 96.4%
2014 77.94 72nd 471 84.7%
2015 88.61 31st 466 93.3%
2016 62.79 160th 494 67.6%
2017 86.26 34th 485 93.0%
2018 91.91 22nd 480 95.4%
2019 95.45 5th 488 99.0%
2021 96.33 7th 496 98.6%
2022 95.13 10th 487 97.9%
2023 96.76 3rd 492 99.4%
2024 99.19 1st 497 99.8%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Jefferson Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, September 1, 2019

Open Quote Best Elementary School in LR. It’s been that way for a while but the secret is getting out now. Close Quote


by a citizen
Sunday, September 1, 2019

Open Quote This is the best elementary school in Little Rock. It’s what every school dreams of being like in the district. Mixed classes with every type of person and financial class represented. Didn’t get it’s success off shoe ins has done it with the students that are assigned (legitimately) to the school. Great PTA and volunteers with top notch staff and principle. Cammack Police Dept. sitting next door is a huge plus as well. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, March 4, 2016

Open Quote This is an excellent school. The teachers and staff are wonderful. It truly feels like home! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Jefferson Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 200 260 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 462
1989 215 272 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 488
1990 237 239 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 479
1991 225 237 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 469
1992 270 209 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 484
1993 273 204 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 483
1994 287 213 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 504
1995 285 210 3 2 1 n/a n/a 0 501
1996 285 210 3 2 1 n/a n/a 0 501
1997 282 207 5 1 2 n/a n/a 0 497
1998 279 227 4 2 1 n/a n/a 0 513
1999 268 228 3 2 1 n/a n/a 0 502
2000 218 146 5 1 0 n/a n/a 0 370
2001 229 167 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 405
2002 231 178 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 415
2003 231 178 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 415
2004 230 168 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 403
2005 268 155 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 429
2006 294 142 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 442
2007 303 117 5 4 0 n/a n/a 0 429
2008 308 111 3 5 0 n/a n/a 0 427
2009 331 91 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 429
2010 341 80 6 4 1 0 0 0 432
2011 339 77 7 4 1 0 0 0 428
2012 324 80 7 4 1 0 2 0 418
2013 289 83 8 4 1 2 4 0 391
2014 319 108 11 6 1 1 6 0 452
2015 297 101 7 4 1 1 11 0 422
2016 283 80 7 6 0 1 4 0 381
2017 287 83 10 13 1 1 6 0 401
2018 272 76 11 19 1 0 5 0 384
2019 285 73 9 17 3 0 4 0 391
2020 291 87 7 17 2 0 5 0 409
2021 284 61 6 20 0 1 5 0 377
2022 310 80 6 17 0 1 4 0 418
2023 286 88 11 16 0 2 10 0 413
2024 267 78 8 16 0 2 13 0 384

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Jefferson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 462 27.0 17.1 n/a
1989 488 27.0 18.0 n/a
1990 479 27.0 17.7 40.9
1991 469 30.0 15.6 40.5
1992 484 27.0 17.9 37.8
1993 483 26.0 18.6 37.3
1994 504 27.0 18.7 35.1
1995 501 27.5 18.2 37.3
1996 501 27.5 18.2 37.3
1997 497 27.1 18.3 38.6
1998 513 27.1 18.9 36.8
1999 502 20.0 25.1 42.8
2000 370 20.0 18.5 32.7
2001 405 21.0 19.3 31.9
2002 415 22.0 18.9 31.8
2003 415 22.0 18.9 31.8
2004 403 20.0 20.2 31.3
2005 429 28.0 15.3 26.1
2006 442 28.0 15.8 25.3
2007 429 26.0 16.5 24.9
2008 427 27.0 15.8 23.9
2009 429 24.0 17.9 21
2010 432 25.8 18.0 23.8
2011 428 26.1 16.3 24.1
2012 418 24.5 17.0 27
2013 391 25.5 15.3 27.6
2014 452 25.8 17.4 26.5
2015 422 28.0 15.0 33.2
2016 381 27.0 14.1 28.9
2017 401 24.6 16.2 15.7
2018 384 23.1 16.5 13.5
2019 391 23.0 16.9 27.1
2020 409 23.7 17.2 28.4
2021 377 26.3 14.3 28.1
2022 418 24.0 17.4 27.3
2023 413 24.0 17.2 31.2
2024 384 22.9 16.7 36.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Jefferson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 462 27.0 17.1 n/a
1989 488 27.0 18.0 n/a
1990 479 27.0 17.7 40.9
1991 469 30.0 15.6 40.5
1992 484 27.0 17.9 37.8
1993 483 26.0 18.6 37.3
1994 504 27.0 18.7 35.1
1995 501 27.5 18.2 37.3
1996 501 27.5 18.2 37.3
1997 497 27.1 18.3 38.6
1998 513 27.1 18.9 36.8
1999 502 20.0 25.1 42.8
2000 370 20.0 18.5 32.7
2001 405 21.0 19.3 31.9
2002 415 22.0 18.9 31.8
2003 415 22.0 18.9 31.8
2004 403 20.0 20.2 31.3
2005 429 28.0 15.3 26.1
2006 442 28.0 15.8 25.3
2007 429 26.0 16.5 24.9
2008 427 27.0 15.8 23.9
2009 429 24.0 17.9 21
2010 432 25.8 18.0 23.8
2011 428 26.1 16.3 24.1
2012 418 24.5 17.0 27
2013 391 25.5 15.3 27.6
2014 452 25.8 17.4 26.5
2015 422 28.0 15.0 33.2
2016 381 27.0 14.1 28.9
2017 401 24.6 16.2 15.7
2018 384 23.1 16.5 13.5
2019 391 23.0 16.9 27.1
2020 409 23.7 17.2 28.4
2021 377 26.3 14.3 28.1
2022 418 24.0 17.4 27.3
2023 413 24.0 17.2 31.2
2024 384 22.9 16.7 36.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Jefferson Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,650 (21.1%) $9,922 (78.9%) $12,572

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Jefferson Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 5th of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 3rd of 492 Elementary schools
 0.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Jefferson Elementary School)94.181.3
 12.8%
   3rd Grade English (Little Rock School District)61.551.9
 9.6%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Jefferson Elementary School)92.184.4
 7.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Little Rock School District)51.340.7
 10.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Jefferson Elementary School)72.565.7
 6.8%
   3rd Grade Science (Little Rock School District)30.426.9
 3.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Jefferson Elementary School)78.459.3
 19.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)30.926.6
 4.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Jefferson Elementary School)83.789.2
 5.5%
   4th Grade English (Little Rock School District)57.151.8
 5.3%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Jefferson Elementary School)76.883.8
 7%
   4th Grade Math (Little Rock School District)41.635.6
 6%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Jefferson Elementary School)60.570.2
 9.7%
   4th Grade Science (Little Rock School District)32.930
 2.9%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Jefferson Elementary School)67.571.6
 4.1%
   4th Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)37.735.5
 2.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Jefferson Elementary School)92.290.5
 1.7%
   5th Grade English (Little Rock School District)62.359.8
 2.5%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Jefferson Elementary School)84.473.6
 10.8%
   5th Grade Math (Little Rock School District)3824.2
 13.8%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Jefferson Elementary School)76.662.2
 14.4%
   5th Grade Science (Little Rock School District)3123.6
 7.4%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Jefferson Elementary School)7569.8
 5.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)32.728.4
 4.3%
   5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)4136.8
 4.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students391413
 5.6%
African American7388
 20.5%
American Indian30
 100%
Asian911
 22.2%
Hispanic1716
 5.9%
Pacific Islander02
White285286
 0.4%
Two or More Races410
 150%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients27.1%31.2%
 4.1%


Schools Near Jefferson Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Jefferson Elementary School

Students who attend Jefferson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Pulaski Heights Middle School
High : Central High School

Students at Jefferson Elementary School are 70% White, 20% African American, 4% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 384 students attended Jefferson Elementary School.

Yes! Jefferson Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 1st of 497 Arkansas elementary schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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