Pulaski County Schools & Education

Pulaski County, Arkansas

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

18/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

79.1%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

79.1%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 90.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,536

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,160

School Score

18/100

Higher = better

State avg 38/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#68

of 75 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Pulaski County

School Verdict

Pulaski County faces educational challenges with a school score of 18/100 and a graduation rate of 79.1%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $6,536 per pupil, Pulaski County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Pulaski County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 53% below the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 11.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Pulaski County, Arkansas

The State's Largest Educational Hub

Pulaski County hosts a massive network of 127 public schools and 19 districts, serving over 61,000 students. The infrastructure is diverse, featuring 65 elementary schools, 27 high schools, and 3 special education facilities.

Academic Challenges and High Spending

Despite the highest per-pupil spending in the region at $6,536, the county struggles with a 79.1% graduation rate, which is below the 87.0% national average. The composite school score of 46.8 also trails the state average of 51.9.

Little Rock District and Charter Diversity

The Little Rock School District is the largest provider, educating 21,456 students across 40 schools. Charter schools play a massive role here, making up 29.1% of all schools with 37 active campuses.

Urban Intensity and Massive Campuses

The school experience is largely urban, with 84 schools in city settings and 24 in suburbs. Large campuses define the area, headlined by Central High School with 2,338 students and Little Rock Southwest with 2,014.

Navigate the Complex Pulaski School Market

With a wide variety of charter, traditional, and special education options, Pulaski County offers unparalleled choice. Homebuyers should carefully research specific districts like Pulaski County Special School District to find the best fit for their needs.

School Overview

Total Schools

127

in Pulaski County

Total Enrollment

61,074

students

School Districts

19

districts

Charter Schools

37

29% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary65
Middle23
High27
Other12

19 School Districts in Pulaski County

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

40 schools
21,456 students

PULASKI CO. SPEC. SCHOOL DIST.

26 schools
12,244 students

N. LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

14 schools
8,200 students

JACKSONVILLE NORTH PULASKI SCHOOL DISTRICT

7 schools
4,517 students

LISA ACADEMY CHARTER

10 schools
3,769 students

ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY

3 schools
3,733 students

ESTEM HIGH CHARTER

5 schools
2,890 students

ACADEMICS PLUS CHARTER SCHOOL

4 schools
1,825 students

ARKANSAS LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMIES

6 schools
962 students

EXALT ACADEMY OF SOUTHWEST LITTLE ROCK

1 school
638 students

127 Public Schools in Pulaski County

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High2,338 students
LITTLE ROCK SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

8–12High2,014 students
NORTH LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL

N. LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High1,949 students
ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY

9–12Charter1,695 students
JACKSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

JACKSONVILLE NORTH PULASKI SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High1,168 students
SYLVAN HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL

PULASKI CO. SPEC. SCHOOL DIST.

6–8Middle1,122 students
LAKEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL

N. LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–8Middle1,115 students
PARKVIEW MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High1,081 students
ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY

ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY

KG–5Charter1,041 students
SYLVAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

PULASKI CO. SPEC. SCHOOL DIST.

9–12High1,017 students
DON ROBERTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–5Primary1,004 students
ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY JR

ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY

6–8Charter997 students
JACKSONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

JACKSONVILLE NORTH PULASKI SCHOOL DISTRICT

6–8Middle966 students
J.A. FAIR K8 PREPARATORY SCHOOL

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–8Primary898 students
ESTEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ESTEM HIGH CHARTER

KG–6Charter892 students
PINNACLE VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

6–8Middle878 students
CHICOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–5Primary867 students
MAUMELLE HIGH SCHOOL

PULASKI CO. SPEC. SCHOOL DIST.

9–12High844 students
JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

JACKSONVILLE NORTH PULASKI SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–5Primary792 students
JOE T. ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL

PULASKI CO. SPEC. SCHOOL DIST.

9–12High783 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,536

State avg $6,160

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Pulaski County rate?
Pulaski County has a school score of 18/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Pulaski County?
The high school graduation rate in Pulaski County is 79.1%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Pulaski County spend per student?
Pulaski County spends $6,536 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Pulaski County, Arkansas — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Pulaski County, Arkansas?

Pulaski County hosts a massive network of 127 public schools and 19 districts, serving over 61,000 students. The infrastructure is diverse, featuring 65 elementary schools, 27 high schools, and 3 special education facilities.

How do schools in Pulaski County perform academically?

Despite the highest per-pupil spending in the region at $6,536, the county struggles with a 79.1% graduation rate, which is below the 87.0% national average. The composite school score of 46.8 also trails the state average of 51.9.

What are the major school districts in Pulaski County, Arkansas?

The Little Rock School District is the largest provider, educating 21,456 students across 40 schools. Charter schools play a massive role here, making up 29.1% of all schools with 37 active campuses.

What is the school experience like in Pulaski County?

The school experience is largely urban, with 84 schools in city settings and 24 in suburbs. Large campuses define the area, headlined by Central High School with 2,338 students and Little Rock Southwest with 2,014.

How can I find homes near good schools in Pulaski County, Arkansas?

With a wide variety of charter, traditional, and special education options, Pulaski County offers unparalleled choice. Homebuyers should carefully research specific districts like Pulaski County Special School District to find the best fit for their needs.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.