The top reported proficiency rate is 17% in Math. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on North Little Rock Middle School 6th Grade Campus
North Little Rock Middle School 6th Grade Campus is a single-grade school, serving only sixth graders within the North Little Rock School District. Its structure is unusual: the district separates its middle schoolers onto different campuses by grade level, and this school is where every district sixth-grader starts. That means every incoming middle school student in North Little Rock passes through this building, making it a universal entry point for the city’s adolescent cohort.
The student body is diverse, with the largest share of students identifying as Black, followed by smaller but notable populations of Hispanic and white students, and smaller groups of Asian, multiracial, and American Indian students. Every student at the school qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of the economic context of the community the school serves. This is a high-needs student population by that measure, and families should understand that the school is operating in a context where virtually all families are navigating economic constraints.
State assessment results are available for the single grade the school serves, and they show that a modest proportion of students scored at or above the proficient level on the Arkansas ATLAS exams in math, English language arts, and science. Relative to other school districts in Pulaski County, the school’s combined proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. These are low attainment figures, and a parent should discuss with the school what interventions, supports, and instructional strategies are in place to move these numbers. The school does not have high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
The school is part of the North Little Rock School District, which in recent years has made some significant investments. Voters approved a millage increase to fund a new high school building that opened for grades 9 through 12. The district also adopted a new K through 5 reading curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading framework, a shift that will affect the incoming sixth graders’ foundational skills. A new career and technical education program launching at the high school, with pathways in healthcare, welding, and information technology, offers a potential trajectory for students after they leave this middle school campus.
North Little Rock itself is a mid-sized city directly across the river from Little Rock, with distinct neighborhoods like Park Hill, Lakewood, and the Argenta Historic District, which has a walkable entertainment core with restaurants and theaters. Much of the rest of the city is car-dependent. The housing market in the zip code that covers the school is modestly priced relative to national benchmarks, and rents are similarly at a moderate level. Healthcare is a major employment sector, with several hospitals and medical facilities in the city. The city has seen modest population growth, and the district’s recent capital investment in a new high school building signals some institutional confidence.
For a family considering this school, the core facts are these. It is a large, single-grade entry point for all district sixth graders, serving a student body where every child qualifies for meal assistance. Academic proficiency in the sixth grade is below state averages, and the school sits in the bottom quarter of Pulaski County districts on that measure. The district has made recent investments in curriculum and facilities, and the high school pathway now includes career and technical certifications. A parent moving to the area should visit the school, ask about academic support for students who are behind grade level, and understand that this is a school that, by its own profile, serves a population with significant economic need and faces clear academic challenges.
See more original research from School Decision →