Central Arkansas · School Guide
Central Arkansas has an unusually deep bench of school options, from LRSD's Central High School to Catholic High, Christ the King, Mount St. Mary Academy, and Central Arkansas Christian. This guide sorts through public districts, charters, private, parochial, and Montessori, and maps them back to the neighborhoods that feed them.
Arkansas School Choice
Arkansas is a school-choice state, families are not restricted to their zoned school or district. Any child can apply to attend any school with open seats, including charter and magnet programs across LRSD, PCSSD, and neighboring districts. This was expanded under the Arkansas LEARNS Act.
Whether you're drawn to LRSD's Central High School, the Catholic and parochial tradition of Catholic High, Christ the King, and Mount St. Mary Academy, the K-12 footprint of Central Arkansas Christian, or a charter or Montessori fit, the choice is rarely just about the school, it's about the street, the drive, and the neighborhood around it. Use this page to get the lay of the land, then head to the neighborhoods guide to find the fit.
01 · Public Districts
City of Little Rock
Serves most of the city of Little Rock, including The Heights, Hillcrest, and portions of West Little Rock. Central High School is the district's flagship high school, and magnet and specialty programs are open to families across the district by application.
LRSD school finder →Central High School →West LR · Maumelle · Sherwood · unincorporated Pulaski
Covers unincorporated Pulaski County and portions of West Little Rock, Maumelle, and Sherwood. Zoning is address-specific, always verify before making an offer, especially in West Little Rock where LRSD and PCSSD lines interlock.
PCSSD school finder →Saline County, Bryant
One of the state's fastest-growing districts. Strong athletics, new facilities, and highly rated academics draw families across Saline County.
Bryant Schools →Saline County, Benton
Established district serving the city of Benton with strong community roots and a full continuum of academic and career-technical programs.
Benton Schools →02 · Charter Schools
Established
Downtown · K-12 · 3,000+ students
STEM focus · multiple campuses
Maumelle-area K-12
Covenant Keepers
Middle school · college-prep focus
West Little Rock · classical model
Chenal Valley · fully virtual
New & opening soon
Open-enrollment elementary/middle · SW Little Rock · opened 2025-26
Grades 6-9 · planned for Riverdale near the river trail · targeting fall 2026 · outdoor-education focus
New charter, verify grade span and campus
Charter enrollment is by lottery, apply early and have a backup zoned option ready.
03 · Private & Parochial
The private and parochial landscape includes longtime standouts like Pulaski Academy and Episcopal Collegiate, as well as Catholic High School for Boys, Mount St. Mary Academy, Christ the King School, and Central Arkansas Christian, each with its own culture, commute, and neighborhood footprint.
PreK, 12
PreK-12 · Chenal / West Little Rock
PreK-12 · Chenal Valley
PreK-12 · Midtown (1701 Cantrell)
PreK-12 · West Little Rock
PreK-12 · North Little Rock & Little Rock campuses
Secondary (9, 12)
9-12 · Midtown
9-12, girls · Midtown
PreK, 8
PreK-8 · Midtown · Catholic (parochial)
PreK3-8 · West Little Rock
PreK-8 · North Little Rock (parochial)
04 · Montessori
West Little Rock
South Little Rock & North Rodney Parham campuses
05 · Neighborhood → School Map
A quick reference of zoned and nearby options by neighborhood. Zoning changes and enrollment rules vary, always confirm for a specific address.
| Neighborhood | ZIP | Dominant school options |
|---|---|---|
| Chenal Valley | 72223 | PCSSD, Chenal Elem → Joe T. Robinson Middle → Joe T. Robinson High · Little Rock Christian Academy · Pulaski Academy · Chenal Valley Montessori |
| Ferndale | 72223 | PCSSD, Chenal Elem → Joe T. Robinson Middle → Joe T. Robinson High · Pulaski Academy · Little Rock Christian Academy · Baptist Prep |
| Pleasant Valley | 72212 | LRSD, Fulbright Elem (in-neighborhood) OR Don Roberts Elem → Pinnacle View Middle → Central or Hall High (verify by street) · Pulaski Academy · Baptist Prep · The Anthony School |
| The Heights | 72207 | LRSD, Forest Park Elem → Pulaski Heights Middle → Central High · Episcopal Collegiate · Catholic High · Mount St. Mary · Immaculate Conception |
| Hillcrest | 72205 · 72207 | LRSD, Pulaski Heights Elem (some to Forest Park) → Pulaski Heights Middle → Central High · Mount St. Mary · Catholic High · Episcopal Collegiate |
| West Little Rock | 72211 · 72212 · 72223 | PCSSD (Robinson & Chenal zones) with LRSD reaching into parts · Pulaski Academy · Baptist Prep · LISA Academy West · Founders Classical |
| Foxcroft (West LR) | 72207 | LRSD, Jefferson Elem → Pulaski Heights Middle → Central High |
| North Pulaski County | 72118 · 72116 · 72120 | PCSSD · North Little Rock SD · Immaculate Conception · Catholic High |
| Saline County (Benton & Bryant) | 72015 · 72019 · 72022 | Bryant SD · Benton SD |
Standard caveat: zoning and enrollment change. Always verify with the district or school for a specific address before making an offer.
06 · FAQ
Zoning is by street address, not ZIP code. LRSD covers the city and includes Central High School, the district's flagship; PCSSD covers unincorporated Pulaski County plus parts of West Little Rock, Maumelle, and Sherwood. Two houses on the same street can occasionally sit in different districts, verify before you offer.
Central Arkansas private tuition typically ranges from the low single-digit thousands for parochial PreK-8 schools like Christ the King to the mid-teens or higher for established PreK-12 programs like Pulaski Academy. Catholic High and Mount St. Mary Academy fall in the middle. Charter schools are tuition-free but seats are lottery-based.
Private and charter application windows generally open in the fall for the following academic year. Public districts enroll year-round once you have proof of address. If school choice is driving the move, work the calendar backward from the school's deadlines, not the closing date.
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Tell us what matters, the school, the drive, the street, and we'll point you to the neighborhoods worth a closer look.
