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Needs Improvement

#1026 of 1,036 schools in AR

Stephens Elementary

Elementary School · LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

3700 W 18TH ST, Little Rock, AR 72204

Enrollment

474

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#1,026 of 1,036

In Little Rock

#69 of 70

public schools

In district

#36 of 38

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Stephens Elementary

2.8/10

Elementary School in Little Rock · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Friendship Academy Little Rock Elementary

6.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Friendship Aspire Academy Little Rock Middle School

4.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Stephens Elementary

Stephens Elementary is a public elementary school in Little Rock, AR, part of LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT. Stephens Elementary serves approximately 474 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Stephens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,026 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Stephens Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.2
  • AR avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Stephens Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.6% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-30.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.4 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,959
Chronic Absenteeism43.5%

Stephens Elementary — Students at Stephens Elementary score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.1% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 29.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.3% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 37 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
58%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
16%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
23%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
23%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
8.9%
ELA
7.6%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.

How Stephens Elementary Compares

See how Stephens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.8/10
1th percentile in AR
Academic
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3700 W 18TH ST, Little Rock, AR 72204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stephens Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE HUDA ACADEMY (rated 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GIBBS MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IVY HILL PREPARATORY ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Little Rock, see our Little Rock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY LITTLE ROCK ELEMENTARY Little Rock 0.4 mi 6.1
FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY LITTLE ROCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 0.4 mi 4.9
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock 0.9 mi 6.5
PULASKI HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 1.3 mi 7.8
PULASKI HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.3 mi 5.8
THE CHILDRENS HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Little Rock 1.4 mi
ARK. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND ELEM Little Rock 1.4 mi 4.1
ARK. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND H.S. Little Rock 1.4 mi 6.8
IVY HILL PREPARATORY ACADEMY Little Rock 1.3 mi 7.9
THE HUDA ACADEMY Little Rock 1.4 mi 8.7
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Little Rock 1.5 mi 7.5
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF LITTLE ROCK Little Rock 1.4 mi 4.6
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE Little Rock 1.4 mi
M.L. KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 1.6 mi 3.7
FAIR PARK EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR Little Rock 1.8 mi 3.5
DUNBAR MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.6 mi 3.4
GIBBS MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 1.6 mi 8.2
MT ST MARY ACADEMY Little Rock 2.0 mi 5.0
THE EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.8 mi 6.5
ESTEM HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock 1.8 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,088

Median Home Value

$117,600

Median Rent

$1,016/mo

Population

31,219

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

54%

Avg Commute

19 min

Poverty Rate

27.1%

Median Age

36.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CARVER STEAM MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 2.9
GLENVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Little Rock, AR 2.9
OTTER CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 2.9
BLYTHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blytheville, AR 2.6
ANGIE GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benton, AR 3.1
WATSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stephens Elementary

What grades does Stephens Elementary serve?

Stephens Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Stephens Elementary?

Stephens Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stephens Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Stephens Elementary is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stephens Elementary rank in AR?

Stephens Elementary ranks #1,026 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Stephens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Stephens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Stephens Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stephens Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Stephens Elementary a charter school?

No, Stephens Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Stephens Elementary a Title I school?

No, Stephens Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stephens Elementary?

93.9% of students at Stephens Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pulaski County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

District

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
21,105
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,959
District Rank
#36 of 38

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