Mills University Studies High School

Summary:

Mills University Studies High School is a public high school located in Little Rock, Arkansas, serving grades 8-12 with a total enrollment of 640 students. The school is part of the Pulaski County Special School District, which is ranked 173 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite having a relatively low student-teacher ratio compared to nearby schools like North Little Rock High School and Central High School, Mills University Studies High School consistently performs below the state and district averages in standardized test scores across all subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 12% of students were proficient or better in ATLAS/English Language Arts, compared to 33.8% at the state level and 28.7% in the Pulaski County Special School District. The school also has an extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 94.19% to 99.84% over the past three school years, significantly higher than the state and district averages.

Despite the higher per-student spending at Mills University Studies High School compared to nearby schools, the school's academic performance remains significantly lower. This suggests that simply increasing funding is not a sufficient solution, and that other factors, such as instructional practices, school leadership, and student support services, may play a more critical role in improving student outcomes. The school's consistent low performance, ranking in the bottom quarter of Arkansas high schools over the past 10 school years, indicates the need for a comprehensive approach to address the unique challenges faced by the school and its student population.


Detail:

Public 8-12

 1205 E Dixon Rd
       Little Rock, AR  72206


(501) 490-5700

District: Pulaski County Special School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
275th of 305 Arkansas High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,330 Help


Feeder schools for Mills University Studies High School:

Elementary:    College Station Elementary School
    Daisy Bates Elementary School
    Harris Elementary School
    Landmark Elementary School
Middle:    Mills Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.6 Help
Number of students:  640

Racial breakdown:

African American:
60.2%
Hispanic:
20.8%
White:
15.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.2% Help


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 Compare Mills University Studies High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Mills University Studies High School ranks worse than 90.2% of high schools in Arkansas. It also ranks last among 4 ranked high schools in the Pulaski County Special School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 16.23. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Mills University Studies High School has the smallest high school student body size in the Pulaski County Special School District. Student population at Mills University Studies High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (60.2%), Hispanic (20.8%), White (15.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 99.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Pulaski County Special School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mills University Studies High School is 10.6, which is the lowest among 4 high schools in the Pulaski County Special School District! (See more...)
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Compare Mills University Studies High School employs 60 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mills University Studies High School is $14,330, which is the highest among 4 high schools in the Pulaski County Special School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Mills University Studies High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Mills University Studies High School 275th of 305 Arkansas public high schools. (See Mills University Studies High School in the ranking list.)

Pulaski County Special School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Pulaski County Special School District 173rd of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Mills University Studies High School?

Rank History for Mills University Studies High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 25.77 183rd 232 21.1%
2007 13.12 231st 258 10.5%
2008 11.35 231st 256 9.8%
2009 12.23 238th 261 8.8%
2010 16.75 232nd 262 11.5%
2011 14.68 240th 266 9.8%
2012 14.53 240th 266 9.8%
2013 9.97 253rd 271 6.6%
2014 14.42 244th 268 9.0%
2015 23.81 226th 267 15.4%
2016 15.36 247th 269 8.2%
2017 12.00 241st 264 8.7%
2018 8.64 245th 263 6.8%
2019 11.39 263rd 282 6.7%
2021 11.12 265th 290 8.6%
2022 11.71 262nd 282 7.1%
2023 20.48 253rd 295 14.2%
2024 16.23 275th 305 9.8%
See the entire list of Arkansas High School Rankings!

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

Mills University Studies High 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
Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Open Quote my brother goes there and they really help him in his class. my sister graduated from there and she said that i got out of high school.. she went to college and worked as a RNA Close Quote



Enrollment information for Mills University Studies High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 508 469 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 983
1989 459 322 2 2 n/a n/a n/a 0 785
1990 397 309 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 710
1991 383 300 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 685
1992 344 291 3 0 1 n/a n/a 0 639
1993 344 280 5 0 1 n/a n/a 0 630
1994 289 276 6 0 0 n/a n/a 0 571
1995 383 359 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 752
1996 383 359 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 752
1997 425 400 8 3 0 n/a n/a 0 836
1998 391 366 5 3 1 n/a n/a 0 766
1999 395 321 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 716
2000 383 255 5 6 0 n/a n/a 0 649
2001 305 216 12 22 36 n/a n/a 0 591
2002 447 467 8 4 2 n/a n/a 0 928
2003 447 467 8 4 2 n/a n/a 0 928
2004 424 518 10 2 3 n/a n/a 0 957
2005 401 528 12 9 1 n/a n/a 0 951
2006 395 554 12 10 1 n/a n/a 0 972
2007 373 624 18 24 0 n/a n/a 0 1039
2008 333 595 21 19 0 n/a n/a 0 968
2009 285 584 21 26 0 n/a n/a 0 916
2010 275 483 14 34 0 0 0 0 806
2011 279 450 15 36 0 0 0 0 780
2012 253 446 15 44 0 0 1 0 759
2013 232 453 14 46 1 0 1 0 747
2014 209 445 9 47 2 0 1 0 713
2015 180 421 4 62 1 0 8 0 676
2016 168 393 5 65 4 0 8 0 643
2017 153 384 6 60 1 0 9 0 613
2018 139 373 4 70 6 0 7 0 599
2019 129 370 3 85 6 0 5 0 598
2020 114 387 4 103 6 0 9 0 623
2021 110 374 3 104 5 0 13 0 609
2022 102 340 3 108 3 0 12 0 568
2023 99 385 1 133 1 0 21 0 640

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 Mills University Studies High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 983 53.8 18.2 n/a
1989 785 49.0 16.0 n/a
1990 710 47.0 15.1 0
1991 685 45.2 15.1 0
1992 639 44.4 14.3 n/a
1993 630 43.7 14.4 0
1994 571 40.9 14.0 20
1995 752 54.9 13.7 29.5
1996 752 54.9 13.7 29.5
1997 836 58.5 14.3 22.4
1998 766 58.5 13.1 33.9
1999 716 42.9 16.7 51
2000 649 59.0 11.0 48.7
2001 591 50.0 11.8 29.8
2002 928 65.0 14.3 39.2
2003 928 65.0 14.3 39.2
2004 957 65.0 14.7 37.7
2005 951 69.0 13.8 43.6
2006 972 66.0 14.7 45.9
2007 1039 75.0 13.9 45.6
2008 968 79.0 12.3 48.8
2009 916 80.0 11.5 48.6
2010 806 80.7 10.2 53.6
2011 780 67.4 11.5 52.3
2012 759 60.3 12.5 55.7
2013 747 59.0 12.6 52.1
2014 713 59.5 11.9 49.1
2015 676 60.0 11.2 57.4
2016 643 64.0 10.0 62.4
2017 613 59.8 10.2 31.2
2018 599 53.1 11.2 28.2
2019 598 49.1 12.1 68.4
2020 623 58.2 10.6 58.3
2021 609 58.8 10.3 99.8
2022 568 58.8 9.6 94.2
2023 640 60.0 10.6 99.2

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 Mills University Studies High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 983 53.8 18.2 n/a
1989 785 49.0 16.0 n/a
1990 710 47.0 15.1 0
1991 685 45.2 15.1 0
1992 639 44.4 14.3 n/a
1993 630 43.7 14.4 0
1994 571 40.9 14.0 20
1995 752 54.9 13.7 29.5
1996 752 54.9 13.7 29.5
1997 836 58.5 14.3 22.4
1998 766 58.5 13.1 33.9
1999 716 42.9 16.7 51
2000 649 59.0 11.0 48.7
2001 591 50.0 11.8 29.8
2002 928 65.0 14.3 39.2
2003 928 65.0 14.3 39.2
2004 957 65.0 14.7 37.7
2005 951 69.0 13.8 43.6
2006 972 66.0 14.7 45.9
2007 1039 75.0 13.9 45.6
2008 968 79.0 12.3 48.8
2009 916 80.0 11.5 48.6
2010 806 80.7 10.2 53.6
2011 780 67.4 11.5 52.3
2012 759 60.3 12.5 55.7
2013 747 59.0 12.6 52.1
2014 713 59.5 11.9 49.1
2015 676 60.0 11.2 57.4
2016 643 64.0 10.0 62.4
2017 613 59.8 10.2 31.2
2018 599 53.1 11.2 28.2
2019 598 49.1 12.1 68.4
2020 623 58.2 10.6 58.3
2021 609 58.8 10.3 99.8
2022 568 58.8 9.6 94.2
2023 640 60.0 10.6 99.2

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 Mills University Studies High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,191 (15.3%) $12,139 (84.7%) $14,330

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Mills University Studies High 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 263rd of 282 High schoolsRanks 253rd of 295 High schools
 7.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English (Mills University Studies High School)31.635.4
 3.8%
   9th Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)49.247
 2.2%
   9th Grade English (Arkansas)58.653.4
 5.2%
9th Grade Math (Mills University Studies High School)13.215.1
 1.9%
   9th Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)23.720.2
 3.5%
   9th Grade Math (Arkansas)35.826.6
 9.2%
9th Grade Science (Mills University Studies High School)13.615
 1.4%
   9th Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)26.220.5
 5.7%
   9th Grade Science (Arkansas)3531.9
 3.1%
9th Grade Reading (Mills University Studies High School)17.226.1
 8.9%
   9th Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)30.836
 5.2%
   9th Grade Reading (Arkansas)37.440.6
 3.2%
10th Grade English (Mills University Studies High School)43.537.8
 5.7%
   10th Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)56.949.9
 7%
   10th Grade English (Arkansas)59.654.4
 5.2%
10th Grade Math (Mills University Studies High School)10.67
 3.6%
   10th Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)23.614.8
 8.8%
   10th Grade Math (Arkansas)29.220.4
 8.8%
10th Grade Science (Mills University Studies High School)11.912
 0.1%
   10th Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)25.919.1
 6.8%
   10th Grade Science (Arkansas)3328.6
 4.4%
10th Grade Reading (Mills University Studies High School)18.426.7
 8.3%
   10th Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)29.233.2
 4%
   10th Grade Reading (Arkansas)32.235.9
 3.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Mills University Studies High School)5.72.8
 2.9%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Pulaski County Special School District)12.317
 4.7%
11th Grade English (Mills University Studies High School)16.421.3
 4.9%
   11th Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)37.141.8
 4.7%
11th Grade Reading (Mills University Studies High School)9.811.1
 1.3%
   11th Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)2327.9
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Mills University Studies High School)7.42.8
 4.6%
   11th Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)15.419.2
 3.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students598640
 7%
African American370385
 4.1%
American Indian61
 83.3%
Asian31
 66.7%
Hispanic85133
 56.5%
Pacific Islander00
White12999
 23.3%
Two or More Races521
 320%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients68.4%99.2%
 30.8%


Schools Near Mills University Studies High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Mills University Studies High School

Mills University Studies High School ranks in the bottom 9.8% of Arkansas high schools.

Mills University Studies High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : College Station Elementary School
Elementary : Daisy Bates Elementary School
Elementary : Harris Elementary School
Elementary : Landmark Elementary School
Middle : Mills Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 640 students attended Mills University Studies High School.

Students at Mills University Studies High School are 60% African American, 21% Hispanic, 15% White, 3% Two or more races.


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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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