The top reported proficiency rate is 10% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on School for the Deaf
The School for the Deaf is a state-operated public school in Little Rock serving kindergarten through twelfth grade. It is a specialized setting designed for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, and it operates under the Arkansas School for the Deaf, which is its own district. The school provides an academic pathway that is built around language and communication access, a focus that shapes everything from instruction to peer interaction.
Enrollment is small, which is typical for a specialized state school. The student body is diverse in its racial and ethnic composition, with white students making up the largest share, followed by Black and Hispanic students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families come from lower-income backgrounds. The school serves a wide grade span, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, so students can attend from elementary through high school without needing to transition to a different school for their deaf education.
State testing data for the School for the Deaf is limited. Results are available for only one tested grade and subject, fourth-grade science, where proficiency was low. For all other grades and subjects, results were either suppressed due to small group sizes or not reported. This is common for a specialized school with a small enrollment, as state disclosure rules protect student privacy when very few students take a test. Overall, the school's proficiency index, which averages what scores are available, places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Pulaski County. A graduation rate was not available in the data. Parents considering the school will want to discuss academic expectations and how student progress is measured with school staff directly, as the available state metrics do not paint a full picture.
The peer environment at the School for the Deaf is unlike that of a typical neighborhood school. All students share the experience of being deaf or hard of hearing, and instruction is delivered in a setting designed for their communication needs. This creates a peer group where language and learning differences are the norm, not the exception, which can be a significant social and academic advantage for students who may feel isolated in a mainstream school.
The school is located in Little Rock, Arkansas's capital and largest city. The city blends government, healthcare, and commercial sectors, with major employers including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Dillard's, and several banks and insurers. The River Market district provides a walkable downtown core, while much of the city is car-dependent. Housing values in the school's zip code align closely with the state average, and rents are also near that benchmark. The broader housing market has seen modest appreciation, consistent with national trends.
The most significant recent change for the School for the Deaf is an administrative one. In 2025, the governor signed a bill consolidating the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind into a single entity called the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. This consolidation merges two legacy institutions under shared governance and resources, though the school continues to operate at its Little Rock location. Separately, the governor announced plans in 2023 for a new facility at the same location, citing the poor condition of existing buildings. That project represents a major capital investment that will reshape the physical learning environment for enrolled students. Parents and residents should expect continued administrative and facility changes as the consolidation and new construction move forward.
The School for the Deaf serves a specific population and is not a general-purpose neighborhood school. It is the right fit for a family seeking an educational setting designed specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, with a peer group and instructional approach built around that need. The available academic data is sparse and shows low proficiency in what is reported, which is a soft spot that warrants direct inquiry with the school. The administrative and facility changes underway make this a school in transition, which families should factor into their planning.
See more original research from School Decision →