The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Amboy Elementary School
Amboy Elementary School is a pre-kindergarten through grade five public school in the North Little Rock School District. The school serves a predominantly Black and Hispanic student body, with students who identify as Black or African American making up the largest share, followed by a significant Latino population. White students and students of two or more races make up much smaller portions of the enrollment. A small number of students identify as American Indian or Alaska Native. A critical detail for any parent considering this school is that, based on the most recent federal data, every single enrolled student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, signaling a student body that comes from low-income households.
On state assessments administered through Arkansas's ATLAS system, the school's proficiency rates for the most recent year were low across the tested grades of three, four, and five, and across all three tested subjects of math, English language arts, and science. In no grade and in no subject did the share of students scoring at the proficient level reach roughly a quarter. When a parent looks at the school's overall performance compared to other schools within its own district and across Pulaski County, it falls into the bottom quartile of all tested schools on an index combining all subjects and grade levels. A parent weighing this school should know that the academic attainment numbers are a clear soft spot, and it would be reasonable to ask the school directly about the specific steps it is taking to improve student outcomes, particularly in foundational reading and math.
The school itself is not a charter or magnet school, and there is no data on its Title I status. It operates as a traditional attendance-zone elementary school within the district.
The surrounding city of North Little Rock is a sizable municipality located directly across the Arkansas River from the state capital, functioning as its own city rather than a bedroom suburb. It has distinct neighborhoods such as Park Hill, Lakewood, and the historic Argenta district, which has developed a lively entertainment scene. The city has invested in beautification and downtown revitalization, which has drawn some young families and professionals. The housing market in Amboy Elementary’s immediate area reflects a relatively modest price point compared to state and national averages, with home values that are a fraction of the national typical home value. Rents are also moderate. For a family looking to buy in, the cost of a home is manageable compared to many parts of the country, though the local market has seen some upward pressure over the past year.
The district itself has been undergoing notable changes that affect this elementary school. A voter-approved millage increase funded the construction of a major new high school facility that opened recently, providing a lasting upgrade for secondary students, though the tax impact on district homeowners remains in place. More immediately relevant to Amboy, the district adopted a new K-5 English language arts curriculum for the current school year, shifting to explicit phonics and comprehension instruction aligned with the state's Right to Read Act. This means the literacy instruction Amboy students receive has changed in a structured way, which could be a point of interest for parents concerned about reading outcomes. The district also launched a new career and technical education program at the high school, though that is not directly relevant for an elementary school.
In terms of the peer environment, a child at Amboy will be in a school where nearly every classmate comes from a household with low income, and where the student body is predominantly Black and Latino. The school is large enough to have a full set of grade-level classrooms from pre-K through fifth grade. Outside of school, the broader community offers a large, well-regarded city park system anchored by Burns Park, a public library with two branches, and a downtown area with some walkable amenities. The city is car-dependent overall, with most daily travel requiring a vehicle. The economy is anchored by healthcare employers, a major bank, and the local school district and city government.
For a parent trying to gauge fit, Amboy Elementary is a high-poverty urban elementary school with low measured academic achievement. Its district is investing in new instructional approaches in reading and has committed to major facilities upgrades at the secondary level. The housing is affordable, and the city has stable civic institutions and amenities. A family considering this school should seek direct information about classroom supports, intervention programs, and how the school is working to address its proficiency challenges.
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