Western Hills Elementary School

Summary:

Western Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school in Little Rock, Arkansas, serving 287 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Little Rock School District, which is ranked 189 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Western Hills Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Arkansas elementary schools over the past decade, with proficiency rates in core subjects like English Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, and Science around 6-8%, compared to state averages of 33-37%. The performance gap is especially pronounced in 4th and 5th grades, where proficiency rates are often below 5%, compared to state averages around 35-40%. The school also lags behind the district and state in ACT Aspire test scores, with proficiency rates typically 20-30 percentage points lower than the state averages. Despite having a relatively low student-teacher ratio and receiving higher per-student funding than the district and state, Western Hills has struggled to improve its academic outcomes.

The nearby schools in the Little Rock School District, such as Baseline Elementary, Brady Elementary, and Stephens Elementary, also perform poorly, with proficiency rates and state rankings similar to or slightly better than Western Hills. However, some charter schools in the area, like Friendship Academy Little Rock Elementary and Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock, show higher proficiency rates in certain subjects, suggesting that alternative educational models may be more effective for this student population.


Detail:

Public K-5

 4901 Western Hills Ave
       Little Rock, AR  72204


(501) 447-6900

District: Little Rock School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
490th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,214 Help


Students who attend Western Hills Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Cloverdale Middle School
High:    Little Rock Southwest High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.9 Help
Number of students:  287

Racial breakdown:

African American:
71.8%
Hispanic:
22.6%
White:
5.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  89.2% Help


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 Compare Western Hills Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Western Hills Elementary School ranks worse than 98.6% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 20th 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 5.15. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (71.8%), Hispanic (22.6%), White (5.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 89.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Western Hills Elementary School is 17.9. 13 elementary schools in the Little Rock School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Western Hills Elementary School employs 16 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Western Hills Elementary School is $13,214, which is the 10th highest among 23 elementary schools in the Little Rock School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Western Hills 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 Western Hills Elementary School?

Rank History for Western Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 22.36 344th 411 16.3%
2006 22.39 329th 402 18.2%
2007 35.29 328th 440 25.5%
2008 42.54 304th 439 30.8%
2009 27.81 356th 445 20.0%
2010 31.10 363rd 457 20.6%
2011 19.97 418th 471 11.3%
2012 8.85 446th 468 4.7%
2013 17.78 426th 476 10.5%
2014 11.01 444th 471 5.7%
2015 38.89 294th 466 36.9%
2016 26.79 402nd 494 18.6%
2017 23.68 400th 485 17.5%
2018 20.64 408th 480 15.0%
2019 11.40 444th 488 9.0%
2021 8.85 462nd 496 6.9%
2022 12.80 431st 487 11.5%
2023 5.38 478th 492 2.8%
2024 5.15 490th 497 1.4%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

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

Western Hills 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 citizen
Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Open Quote I love the way Western Hills welcomes community engagement! Great adults and students! Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, May 25, 2018

Open Quote This is an excellent school. The faculty and staff are so thoughtful and caring. My child learned more here than any of the other schools she went to. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Western Hills 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 121 192 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 314
1989 120 213 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 333
1990 140 196 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 337
1991 131 204 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 339
1992 130 190 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 323
1993 124 209 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 335
1994 114 215 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 332
1995 106 208 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 315
1996 106 208 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 315
1997 92 219 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 312
1998 92 222 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 315
1999 81 236 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 321
2000 61 191 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 255
2001 62 196 1 6 0 n/a n/a 0 265
2002 53 219 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 280
2003 53 219 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 280
2004 51 232 0 12 1 n/a n/a 0 296
2005 43 206 0 12 1 n/a n/a 0 262
2006 48 220 0 16 2 n/a n/a 0 286
2007 42 217 0 15 0 n/a n/a 0 274
2008 31 204 0 17 2 n/a n/a 0 254
2009 37 210 0 27 1 n/a n/a 0 275
2010 35 240 0 25 1 0 0 0 301
2011 29 219 0 37 1 0 5 0 291
2012 32 207 0 40 0 0 6 0 285
2013 30 200 0 43 0 0 6 0 279
2014 23 193 0 37 0 0 6 0 259
2015 22 188 0 37 1 0 7 0 255
2016 30 187 1 44 1 0 7 0 270
2017 24 169 0 38 2 0 3 0 236
2018 17 213 0 92 2 0 7 0 331
2019 21 204 0 78 0 0 3 0 306
2020 12 218 2 74 0 0 4 0 310
2021 11 170 1 75 1 0 2 0 260
2022 9 127 1 66 0 0 0 0 203
2023 15 206 1 65 0 0 0 0 287

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 Western Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 314 17.0 18.4 n/a
1989 333 19.0 17.5 n/a
1990 337 19.0 17.7 38
1991 339 19.0 17.8 38.1
1992 323 17.7 18.2 40.9
1993 335 17.6 19.0 48.1
1994 332 16.8 19.8 46.7
1995 315 17.0 18.5 51.4
1996 315 17.0 18.5 51.4
1997 312 17.6 17.7 57.4
1998 315 17.6 17.9 54.3
1999 321 14.0 22.9 70.1
2000 255 12.0 21.3 74.9
2001 265 13.0 20.4 64.2
2002 280 16.0 17.5 69.6
2003 280 16.0 17.5 69.6
2004 296 15.0 19.7 67.2
2005 262 18.0 14.6 68.3
2006 286 16.0 17.9 74.5
2007 274 18.0 15.2 77
2008 254 21.0 12.1 79.9
2009 275 18.0 15.3 80
2010 301 18.3 17.7 84.1
2011 291 17.2 16.9 87.6
2012 285 17.4 16.3 86.3
2013 279 17.3 16.0 81.4
2014 259 17.4 14.8 84.2
2015 255 21.0 12.1 87.5
2016 270 20.0 13.5 98.9
2017 236 19.8 11.9 43.2
2018 331 19.6 16.8 31.7
2019 306 18.0 17.0 91.2
2020 310 19.8 15.6 100
2021 260 19.5 13.2 99.6
2022 203 14.0 14.4 100
2023 287 16.0 17.9 89.2

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 Western Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 314 17.0 18.4 n/a
1989 333 19.0 17.5 n/a
1990 337 19.0 17.7 38
1991 339 19.0 17.8 38.1
1992 323 17.7 18.2 40.9
1993 335 17.6 19.0 48.1
1994 332 16.8 19.8 46.7
1995 315 17.0 18.5 51.4
1996 315 17.0 18.5 51.4
1997 312 17.6 17.7 57.4
1998 315 17.6 17.9 54.3
1999 321 14.0 22.9 70.1
2000 255 12.0 21.3 74.9
2001 265 13.0 20.4 64.2
2002 280 16.0 17.5 69.6
2003 280 16.0 17.5 69.6
2004 296 15.0 19.7 67.2
2005 262 18.0 14.6 68.3
2006 286 16.0 17.9 74.5
2007 274 18.0 15.2 77
2008 254 21.0 12.1 79.9
2009 275 18.0 15.3 80
2010 301 18.3 17.7 84.1
2011 291 17.2 16.9 87.6
2012 285 17.4 16.3 86.3
2013 279 17.3 16.0 81.4
2014 259 17.4 14.8 84.2
2015 255 21.0 12.1 87.5
2016 270 20.0 13.5 98.9
2017 236 19.8 11.9 43.2
2018 331 19.6 16.8 31.7
2019 306 18.0 17.0 91.2
2020 310 19.8 15.6 100
2021 260 19.5 13.2 99.6
2022 203 14.0 14.4 100
2023 287 16.0 17.9 89.2

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 Western Hills Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,620 (19.8%) $10,593 (80.2%) $13,214

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Western Hills 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 444th of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 478th of 492 Elementary schools
 6.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Western Hills Elementary School)58.231.1
 27.1%
   3rd Grade English (Little Rock School District)61.551.9
 9.6%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Western Hills Elementary School)36.317.8
 18.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Little Rock School District)51.340.7
 10.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Western Hills Elementary School)13.611.1
 2.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Little Rock School District)30.426.9
 3.5%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Western Hills Elementary School)4.66.6
 2%
   3rd Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)30.926.6
 4.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Western Hills Elementary School)51.234.6
 16.6%
   4th Grade English (Little Rock School District)57.151.8
 5.3%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Western Hills Elementary School)37.29.1
 28.1%
   4th Grade Math (Little Rock School District)41.635.6
 6%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Western Hills Elementary School)23.37.3
 16%
   4th Grade Science (Little Rock School District)32.930
 2.9%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Western Hills Elementary School)30.212.7
 17.5%
   4th Grade Reading (Little Rock School District)37.735.5
 2.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Western Hills Elementary School)6047.4
 12.6%
   5th Grade English (Little Rock School District)62.359.8
 2.5%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Western Hills Elementary School)23.98.8
 15.1%
   5th Grade Math (Little Rock School District)3824.2
 13.8%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Western Hills Elementary School)17.414
 3.4%
   5th Grade Science (Little Rock School District)3123.6
 7.4%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Western Hills Elementary School)17.415.8
 1.6%
   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 Students306287
 6.2%
African American204206
 1%
American Indian00
Asian01
Hispanic7865
 16.7%
Pacific Islander00
White2115
 28.6%
Two or More Races30
 100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients91.2%89.2%
 2%


Schools Near Western Hills Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Western Hills Elementary School

Students at Western Hills Elementary School are 72% African American, 23% Hispanic, 5% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 287 students attended Western Hills Elementary School.

Western Hills Elementary School ranks in the bottom 1.4% of Arkansas elementary schools.

Students who attend Western Hills Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Cloverdale Middle School
High : Little Rock Southwest High School


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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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