Best Schools in North Little Rock, Arkansas
28 schools · 17 Elementary · 3 Middle · 5 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in North Little Rock?
Use this page to compare every school in North Little Rock by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Crestwood Elementary School
Elementary · North Little Rock School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Westwind School for Performing Arts School
Middle · Westwind School for Performing Arts. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Little Rock Catholic Academy
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in North Little Rock for 2026 are Crestwood Elementary School (8.3/10), Westwind School for Performing Arts School (8.1/10), and North Little Rock Catholic Academy (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 24 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
28
22 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$168,850
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Schools
28
22 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$168,850
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Rates 8.3/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among North Little Rock schools.
Top-Rated Schools in North Little Rock
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (24 of 28). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crestwood Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Westwind School for Performing Arts School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | North Little Rock Catholic Academy | 7.6 / 10 |
| 4 | North Little Rock Center of Excellence | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Lakewood Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Cato Elementary School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 7 | North Little Rock Middle School 6th Grade Campus | 6.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Immaculate Conception School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Harris Elementary School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Ridge Road Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $56,821
- Median home value
- $168,850
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
24% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How North Little Rock compares
Arkansas rank
#110 of 123
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below Arkansas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$57k
103% of Arkansas median
Schools in this city
25
About Schools in North Little Rock, Arkansas
North Little Rock's public school landscape spans 21 ranked schools with an average score of 5.0 out of 10 — a middling baseline that masks meaningful variation at the top. Only 2 schools, just 10% of the ranked set, break the 7-point threshold. That concentration matters: strong options exist here, but they require deliberate selection rather than geographic assumption.
The city's standout is North Little Rock Middle School 6th Grade Campus, the highest-rated school in the city at 7.9 out of 10. Its score sits nearly two full points above the city average and earns it top billing among all 21 ranked public schools. For families with middle school-age children, this campus is the clearest high-confidence option in the district.
The high school picture offers real range. North Little Rock Center of Excellence scores 7.4 — second-highest in the city and a legitimate target for families prioritizing strong secondary academics. North Little Rock High School posts a 6.5, a full point lower but still above the city average. Parents navigating the high school decision should compare both schools directly; their programming and enrollment structures may differ even within the same district footprint. At the middle level, Westwind School for Performing Arts adds a specialty option at 5.8, near the city average. Families drawn to its arts focus should weigh the program's specific strengths against the performance gap relative to the 6th Grade Campus. Pike View Early Childhood Center rounds out the top five at 6.4, most relevant to families with younger children.
Practically, North Little Rock rewards research. The gap between the top school at 7.9 and the city average at 5.0 is wide enough that school assignment carries real weight — wider than cities where scores cluster tightly. Parents should confirm attendance boundaries early, check whether magnet or specialty programs require separate applications, and treat the two high-scoring schools as primary targets if academics are the priority. The district's performance ceiling is real; getting into the right building is the most consequential decision a North Little Rock family can make.
Elementary Schools
17 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 491 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 428 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 323 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 |
| 4 | 210 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 |
| 5 | 534 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 |
| 6 | 414 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.2 |
| 7 | 470 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.3 |
| 8 | 401 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.9 |
| 9 | 202 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.9 |
| 10 | 456 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.4 |
Show all 17 elementary schools in North Little Rock
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 89 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 519 students · 6th–6th | 6.4 |
| 3 | 1,052 students · 7th–8th | 3.7 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 465 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 1,872 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 3 | 90 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 |
| 4 | 1,680 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
| 5 | 21 students · 7th–12th | — |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.1 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 678 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.1 | ||
| 2 | Calvary Academy
Private
322 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.1 | ||
Schools in North Little Rock
North Little Rock, Arkansas · 28 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 7 ZIP codes
Median Income
$56,821
Median Home Value
$168,850
Median Rent
$1,009/mo
Population
128,477
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
31.2%
Community Profile
North Little Rock has a median household income of $56,821. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,850, with a median rent of $1,009/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arkansas
- Elementary
- 17
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 5
- Other
- 3
Resources
School Districts (6)
DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES SCHOOL SYSTEM
5 schools · 239 students
ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY
3 schools · 3,936 students
RESPONSIVE ED SOLUTIONS PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL N LITTLE ROCK
1 school · 90 students
WESTWIND SCHOOL FOR PERFORMING ARTS
1 school · 89 students
NORTH LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
14 schools · 7,850 students
PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
26 schools · 12,290 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Arkansas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in North Little Rock, Arkansas
How many schools are in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
North Little Rock has 28 schools, including 22 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in North Little Rock is 5.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
The top-ranked school in North Little Rock on MySchoolScout is Crestwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in North Little Rock on MySchoolScout is Crestwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
The top-ranked middle school in North Little Rock on MySchoolScout is Westwind School for Performing Arts School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
The top-ranked high school in North Little Rock on MySchoolScout is North Little Rock Center of Excellence with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve North Little Rock, Arkansas?
North Little Rock is served by 6 school districts: Division of Youth Services School System, Arkansas Virtual Academy, Responsive Ed Solutions Premier High School N Little Rock, Westwind School for Performing Arts, North Little Rock School District, Pulaski County Special School District.
What is the education level in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in North Little Rock have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
The median household income in North Little Rock is approximately $56,821 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
Yes, North Little Rock has 6 private schools alongside 22 public schools. The top-rated private school is North Little Rock Catholic Academy with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in North Little Rock is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in North Little Rock, Arkansas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arkansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.