Education

In July of 2016, the newly formed Jacksonville North Pulaski School District (JNPSD) was formed. Families with children living on Little Rock AFB are zoned to attend Bobby G. Lester Elementary School (newly opened at the start of the 2018/2019 school year), Jacksonville Middle School and Jacksonville High School.  A newly built Jacksonville High School opened its doors at the start of the 2019/2020 school year. Another local school option for families living on base include the  Flightline Upper Academy School, which is a middle school catering to 5th-8th graders and is part of the Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School District. Flightline Upper Academy opened in 2011, and is one of few charter schools located on an Air Force Base.  An application for enrollment consideration can be found on the district's web page. There can be a wait list depending on PCS season, but it is available to all who are selected and qualify for access to the base.

For more information about local schools and attendance zones, you may call the School Liaison Office at 501-987-1941, located in Bldg 940 on Arnold Dr.

Jacksonville/LRAFB University Center: This is a joint venture between the city of Jacksonville and the base, in which the city of Jacksonville provided part of the construction costs and the base provided the rest for a total of $15 million. It is a community building, providing educational opportunities to the local community as well as the military population. It houses six universities, offering AAs - Masters, 29 classrooms, two science labs and the base Education Office. Although on government property, it is not behind the secure gates of the base, allowing easy access for those who do not otherwise have access to the base.

New residents are often confused about district boundary lines in central Arkansas. If you choose to reside off base, which city you live in will determine where your school-aged children are zoned to attend school whether in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, Pulaski County Special School District, Cabot School District or other surrounding districts in nearby cities. For more information about local schools and attendance zones, you are encouraged to call the School Liaison Office at 501-987-1941, located in Bldg 940.

Registration Requirements

State law requires a child to be five years old by 1 August of the school year to enter kindergarten. To enter the first grade, they must be six years old by 1 October of the school year. State law requires that each child be immunized against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, rubella and red measles before entering school. A child transferring to another school must submit a transcript and must have had a physical examination within the year. The school term begins in late August and ends in early June. Children will need a birth certificate or passport, shot record, and social security number. They also will need to show proof of address (current utility bill or sales contract). They need a withdrawal slip and transcript or report card from the school they previously attended. Other school records are optional, as the school will request them after the arrival of the student.

School Calendar

The school year begins approximately the third week in August and ends approximately the last week in May. These dates may vary somewhat depending on what school district your child attends.

Breakfast and Lunch Programs

Nutritious lunches are served daily in all schools. Elementary and secondary schools serve U.S.D.A. Type A lunches and where the economic level qualifies, lunches may be offered free or at a reduced price. All elementary and secondary schools participate in the breakfast program.

Grading System/Report Cards

Report cards are sent home quarterly. Parent/teacher conferences on the elementary level are held twice during the year. The grading system per Arkansas law is as follows:

Graduation Requirements

Beginning with graduating class of 2015, all students must have 16 credits and 6 elective credits for a total of 22 credits. The following 16 credits will be required for all students:

Common Core- 16 Units

• English--4 units
• Oral Communication--1/2 unit
• Social Studies-- 3 units (1 unit of World History, 1 unit of American History, 1/2 unit of Civics and ½ unit of Economics)
• Mathematics--4 units (1 unit of algebra or its equivalent* and 1 unit of Geometry or its equivalent*, 1 unit Algebra 2& 1 math higher than Algebra 2. All math units must build on the base of Algebra and Geometry knowledge and skills.)
• Science--3 units (at least 1 unit of iology or its equivalent and 1 unit of a physical science)
• Physical Education--1/2 unit
• Health and Safety--1/2 unit
• Fine Arts--1/2 unit
• Career Focus - 6 units

*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may be counted as two units of the three-unit requirement

Career Focus

All units in the career focus requirement shall be established through guidance and counseling at the local school district based on the students' contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to local district policy and reflect state frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

Other Electives--As Defined by Local Districts

Local school districts may require additional units for graduation beyond the 15 common core and the career focus units. These may be in academic and/or technical areas. All common core, career focus and elective units must total at least 22.

While Central Arkansas public schools offer a variety of academic and extracurricular programs, there are those who prefer the atmosphere found in private schools. There are a host of private and parochial schools to be found in central Arkansas. The area's private schools offer specialized programs for children of all ages, from pre-school through high school. Some of the area's private school programs include those for gifted children, as well as curriculum for children with learning disabilities.

Many private schools in central Arkansas are monitored by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (ANSAA). ANSAA is an official chapter of the National Federation of Nonpublic School Accrediting Associations and is approved by the U.S. Office of Education. In order to become accredited by ANSAA, schools must meet personnel, equipment and other requirements. For a list of ANSAA schools, or other information about area private schools, call (501) 803-3888.

The focal point for all adult educational opportunities at Little Rock AFB, Bldg 1490, 501-987-3417 or DSN 731-3417.