Congratulations to Pinnacle View Middle School 7th grader Anne Yang for winning 1st place in the 2025 Wildlife of Arkansas Art Contest! Her award-winning piece, “Woodpecker Duo,” showcases her artistic talent and love for nature. We’re proud to recognize Anne for this outstanding achievement and her creative representation of Arkansas wildlife.
Southwest Wind and Jazz Ensembles have been selected to perform at the Minority Band Directors National Association Concert and Jazz Invitational in Atlanta on April 2, 2026. This is a major national honor, and we applaud the hard work of the talented students and directors José Holloway and Antonio Corley. Congrats!
Congratulations to LRSD Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright on being named to the 2025-2026 Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship. He joins a select group of education leaders from across the country who are working to shape the future of learning through technology and innovation. As part of this national cohort, Dr. Wright will collaborate on projects to improve instruction and student outcomes across the U.S.
Big changes are underway at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School! Construction has begun on a $6.8 million renovation of the school’s historic auditorium, bringing new lighting, sound, rigging, and a bold new design inside and out. The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2025, ushering in a new era for student performers and the LRSD community.
Award-Winning Media Program and Specialist
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The Little Rock School District is excited to welcome four outstanding leaders to our team of principals for the 2025-2026 school year. Michelle Moore will lead Carver-Washington STEAM Magnet, Christy Jenkins-Strong joins Hamilton Learning Academy, Dr. Tony Howard takes the helm at Horace Mann Magnet Middle, and Aimee Young will serve as principal of Terry Elementary. We look forward to the positive impact each of them will make in their new roles!
A group of rising 5th graders at Gibbs Magnet School turned a creative idea into real impact. By making and selling squishies, the students raised enough money to donate 32 blood pressure cuffs to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They presented their check to the Arkansas Children’s Foundation, showing what student leadership and compassion can achieve.
LRSD school leaders spent the week engaged in powerful professional development through the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Institute. The training focused on growth mindset, math identity, collaboration, and strategic leadership. A highlight of the week was a dynamic session led by nationally recognized educator and author Dr. Luvelle Brown, who challenged participants to embrace a “Call to Courage” and build a “Culture of Love” within their schools. His inspiring message helped leaders reflect, reset, and reimagine their impact as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
After more than 40 years in education, including 30 dedicated years with the Little Rock School District, Lisa Mack is retiring. As a beloved math specialist, she has inspired countless students and educators with her passion, patience, and commitment to excellence. We thank Ms. Mack for her outstanding service and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.
Shameka Montgomery, leader of Career Education for LRSD, will be a featured speaker at the Summer K-12 CTE Congress hosted by RTM. She will lead a roundtable discussion on “Harnessing the Power of AI in Career & Technical Education,” focusing on how AI can improve teaching, support educators, and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce.
Every child deserves access to books that spark imagination and inspire a lifelong love of reading. That’s the focus of the Reading in the Rock initiative, combined with improving literacy rates - in partnership with the City of Little Rock. The goal is to provide elementary students with books over spring break and into the summer, helping to build home libraries and prevent the summer slide. The community is encouraged to help us provide more books by making a financial donation. No amount is too small—every contribution helps put books in the hands of our students. Thank you in advance for your support!
Here is the kickoff news conference:
or Mail a check to:
The Arkansas Community Foundation
5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Building 5, 11th Floor
Little Rock, AR 72202
(Memo: "LRSD Promise for the Future Fund")
Dozens of Little Free Library sites across Little Rock are ready for summer readers! Thanks to City Year Little Rock, many libraries have been freshly stocked with new books. Visit the Little Free Library website to find a location near you, pick up a great book, and feel free to leave one for others to enjoy. It’s a simple way to keep reading fun all summer long!
he Little Rock School District is offering free breakfast and lunch this summer to students 18 years old and younger at select school sites across the city. Program dates vary by location. For a full list of sites, dates, and meal times, view the schedule here: https://www.lrsd.org/page/summer-school-meals. Let’s make sure every child has access to healthy meals this summer. Help spread the word!
If your child attended a Head Start or Early Head Start program during the 2024–2025 school year, they may be eligible for Summer EBT benefits to help cover the cost of food during the summer months. This year, families must submit an application to receive benefits. Apply online at www.ar.gov/summerebt or pick up a paper application at your local DHS office.
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The Little Rock community is stepping up in a big way to support the "Lunch On Us" initiative—a campaign dedicated to eliminating school lunch debt and ensuring every LRSD student has access to healthy, nutritious meals. Thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals, organizations, and city leaders, over $25,000 has already been raised! Contributions include major gifts donated to the City of Little Rock designated for this campaign ($18,000), Central supporters ($4,750), and Clinton School volunteers, who collectively donated over $2,000. Other donors, like Unite to Fight and individual community members, also contributed to the growing total. These funds will go directly toward clearing lunch debt for LRSD students and helping remove barriers to learning caused by food insecurity. Want to join the movement? Donate today and help us ensure no child learns hungry: https://ar.accessgov.com/treasury-management-division/Forms/Page/treasury-management-division/lr-cares-donation/0.
LRSD is committed to providing students with more choices to help them thrive. From innovative career and technical programs to strong academics and arts, LRSD is opening doors to a brighter future. Watch our new video to see how LRSD is preparing students for success—no matter their path!
Show your team spirit with our One Team One Dream short-sleeve shirts! Available in red, green, gray, and pink, these shirts are a great way to represent LRSD. Click the highlighted links to order yours today!
The Little Rock School District invites non-profits to join as Community Service-Learning partners. With community service hours now a graduation requirement for Arkansas high school students, LRSD aims to connect students with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Non-profit organizations can apply to become approved partners, allowing students to support their events and initiatives. Apply today at lrsd.org/community-service-learning or contact Stefanie Vestal at Stefanie.Vestal@lrsd.org for more information.
Did you see LRSD's latest Community Report? It features lots of LRSD highlights and the
2023-34 annual report. Read here.
As we finish out the 2024–25 school year, now is the perfect time to schedule your child’s physicals, sports physicals, and immunizations for next year. LRSD’s school-based health clinics reopen the week of July 14, 2025, and appointment slots are already filling up. These services are available to all LRSD students and their siblings. Don’t wait—beat the back-to-school rush and check the flyers for clinic hours and contact info!
Lyon College School of Dental Medicine invites families to the “Give Kids a Smile” event on July 18 from 9 AM to 12 PM at 5 Allied Drive, Little Rock. Children will receive free dental screenings and fluoride applications—no appointment needed! Enjoy storytime with the Tooth Fairy, a DJ dance party, face painting, and more. Don’t miss this fun-filled day promoting healthy smiles!
Interested in becoming a substitute teacher? ESS is hiring and will host an informational session and training on Tuesday, June 2nd, to help guide applicants through the process. Whether you're just starting or need assistance with your application, this is a great opportunity to get support. Start your application at ESS.com and be sure to register here to attend the session.
If you are a family in transition, whether staying with friends, in a shelter, motel, or other temporary locations, your child may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. LRSD provides resources like immediate school enrollment, transportation, and educational support to help ensure your child’s uninterrupted learning. For assistance, contact one of our liaisons or complete the Residency Form.
The Little Rock School District offers a robust Advanced Placement (AP) program, allowing students to take college-level courses in high school. With 38 courses across 20 subjects, students can earn college credit by scoring 3 or higher on the national AP exams. AP classes not only provide academic challenges but also enhance college applications.
LRSD supports gifted and talented students beyond elementary school through advanced class offerings, monthly affective needs meetings, and competitions. For more information, contact your school's Gifted Facilitator or visit the LRSD Advanced Academics webpage.
The Little Rock School District is excited to announce a new partnership with UA Little Rock to streamline the college admissions process for our students. This collaboration offers waived application fees, direct transcript submissions, and automatic financial aid consideration, making it easier than ever for LRSD seniors to pursue higher education and achieve their academic goals. Learn more about this fantastic opportunity here: https://ualr.edu/admissions.
LRSD is excited to partner with UA-Little Rock to provide opportunities for our employees to start or finish an undergraduate degree while continuing their careers. Click on the link below to learn more.
https://ualr.edu/admissions/little-rock-school-district/
Join the community for Little Rock Recycles Day on Saturday, June 7, from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Little Rock Zoo's East Parking Lot (Zoo Drive & Monroe). Bring your clean, dry recyclables—including paper, plastics, electronics, glass, and even old bikes—and help keep our city beautiful. Hosted by the Sustainability Office, Keep Little Rock Beautiful, and the Little Rock Zoo, this free event makes it easy to recycle responsibly.
Join the fun on June 7, 2025, as the Little Rock Zoo marks its 100th anniversary with a special Centennial Celebration! From 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, enjoy a full day of family-friendly activities, wildlife wonders, and community joy. Admission is just $2 with $1 parking, thanks to Southern Bancorp Community Day. Don’t miss this unforgettable event as we honor the past and look forward to the next 100 wild years!
World Cheese Dip Festival This Weekend!
"Me and the Devil"
Tickets are on sale now for the first production of The Rep's 2025 Summer Stage season, Me and the Devil. The world-premiere play with music is written and directed by The Rep's new Artistic Director, Little Rock-native and Broadway Director, Steve H. Broadnax III, who is also an LRSD alum. Parkview Patriot in the house!
Looking for a fun and inclusive way to spend your Saturday? Head to the SoMa district on June 7 for SoMa Pride 2025! From 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, enjoy a lively Pride Parade at noon, followed by an all-day street festival packed with music, food, art, and family-friendly activities.
Pride in the Park returns to MacArthur Park this Sunday, June 8! This family- and pet-friendly event celebrates love, unity, and culture with live entertainment, special guests, food, and fun for all ages. It’s a great opportunity to come together, connect, and enjoy a vibrant, inclusive community celebration.
Join the Little Rock Winds for their annual Flag Day Concert on June 8, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at MacArthur Park. Enjoy a free evening of patriotic music, ice cream from Bluebell Creameries, water from Central Arkansas Water, and American flags from Woodmen Life. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and soak in the sounds of summer with family and friends!
Looking for summer fun the whole family can enjoy? Head over to Plaza Frida for the first-ever Frida Family Carnival, happening June 12–15, 2025! This multicultural celebration will feature exciting rides, tasty food, games, and live entertainment—all in partnership with North American Midway Entertainment. With free parking, affordable admission, and a special offer for dads on Father’s Day, it’s a great way to kick off summer in Little Rock! For more information, click here.
Juneteenth in Da Rock 2025
Join the Little Rock community on June 21, 2025, for Juneteenth in Da Rock, a vibrant celebration of freedom, culture, and unity. Held in the Historic 9th Street District, this family-friendly festival features live music, a 5K run, food, art, and more. Learn more about the event here.
Little Rock is set to turn up the volume this summer as Rock The Country, a two-day music festival, rolls into town June 20–21. This event is part of a 10-city tour featuring a mix of country and rock favorites, with headliners Nickelback and Kid Rock leading the charge. From legends like Hank Williams Jr. and Travis Tritt to crowd-pleasers like Shenandoah, Afroman, and the Ying Yang Twins, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss this community celebration of music and good times! Get tickets here.
The Little Rock Farmers Market has opened its doors for another season, welcoming visitors to the River Market with its farm-fresh produce, locally crafted foods, and handmade arts and crafts. As it has since 1996, the market invites SNAP beneficiaries, offering tokens purchasable on-site and participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program. Free parking, including spaces for seniors and handicapped individuals, ensures convenient access for all patrons.
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