The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in English language arts. The lowest is 42% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Academics Plus Public Charter Schools
Academics Plus Public Charter Schools is a public charter system serving kindergarten through twelfth grade across four schools in Pulaski County, Arkansas. The schools bear the names of the communities they anchor: Maumelle Charter Elementary, Maumelle Charter Middle School, Maumelle Charter High School, and Scott Charter School. The student population is predominantly white, with Black students as the largest minority group, followed by smaller shares of Asian, Hispanic, multiracial, and Native American students. Income data, including the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, was not reported, so families looking for that economic context will need to ask the district directly.
Academics Plus stands out for its academic performance within the county. Its overall proficiency rate across tested grades and subjects lands in the top quartile among Pulaski County’s districts. That is a clear strength. Look closer at the grade-level results, and a more detailed picture emerges. In the early elementary years, third and fourth graders show solid proficiency in reading and math, with science also strong at those grades. Fifth grade marks a step down, particularly in math and reading, where proficiency rates are lower. By sixth grade, the dip becomes more pronounced in math continued through seventh and eighth grade, where proficiency falls lower still. Reading and science follow a similar pattern, though the decline is less steep in some grades. Parents considering this district should examine those grade-by-grade trends and ask what supports the schools have for students entering the upper elementary and middle school years.
The district enrolls a significant cohort each year from kindergarten through sixth grade, with a gradual reduction in class size through the high school years. That tapering is common, though the size of the graduating class is notably smaller than the entering kindergarten group a pattern many families will want to understand by looking at retention and mobility rates, which are not reported here.
Chronic absenteeism at Academics Plus is very low, placing it in the top quartile among Pulaski County’s districts with the lowest rates of chronic absence. That speaks to consistent attendance and suggests students are generally engaged or well-supported in getting to school.
On the financial side, per-pupil current spending is in the lower range relative to other districts in the county. Lower spending does not necessarily indicate lower quality, but it is a data point a family may wish to explore further, particularly around how the district allocates resources to instruction, technology, and student supports.
The graduation rate was not available in the data. Since the district includes a high school, that is a meaningful gap. Any parent evaluating Academics Plus should ask the district directly for its four-year graduation rate and for any additional measures of postsecondary readiness such as college enrollment or career credential attainment.
A search for recent district changes turned up no property tax overhauls, curriculum overhauls, or other parent-relevant developments that could be confirmed. The district appears to have operated steadily, though the absence of publicly reported updates may mean the organization is small or not given to high-profile announcements.
Overall, Academics Plus presents a strong academic profile when measured against other Pulaski County districts, with notably low chronic absenteeism. Its proficiency rates are healthy in the lower grades but slip in middle school, especially in math. The district serves a predominantly white student body and operates four schools across two communities. Families who are considering this option will want to fill in the missing pieces the graduation rate, economic demographics, special education and English learner data, and any grade-level retention patterns to decide whether it fits their child’s needs.
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