[tobinw]

About Maumelle not having a high school---most Maumelle residents send their kids to one of the private schools in the area (Central Arkansas Christian is in Maumelle, actually). There is a public school nearby, Oak Grove, but it's not a very good school at all.

The best schools in the state are probably a handful of the Little Rock private schools. Pulaski Academy is head and shoulders above the rest if you ask me, but Episcopal Collegiate, LR Christian, CAC, and Mt. St. Mary's/LR Catholic are all above average, as well.

If you're talking public schools, then LR Central is the flagship school of the state. LR Parkview and LR Mills seem to have good programs IF your kids are AP-type students, but can still be sketchy. The rest of the LR public schools I would stay far, far away from.

The two Ft. Smith schools (Northside and Southside) both have solid academic programs. Any big school you go to in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Springdale, Springdale Har-Ber, Rogers, Rogers Heritage, or Bentonville) will have a lot of opportunities as well.

Looking at the rest of the state, I know there's a few good schools in the River Valley. Pottsville and Dardanelle (both suburbs of Russellville) have won several national awards the past few years, and Russellville itself is a good place to go. There's a few other good schools throughout the state (Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs, Nettleton near Jonesboro, and LR suburbs like Bryant, Cabot, and Conway), but for the most part, you'll want to go to one of the schools I've mentioned in this post. While Arkansas has made a lot of improvements in public education the past 10-15, it still has a long, long, long way to go in catching up with most of the rest of the country. That's not to say your intelligence will be wasted at a rural school; some of the most brilliant people I know from UCA are from places like Nashville, Salem, and Warren. However, for the sheer number of AP/IB coursework, extracurricular activities, and the like, go to one of the schools I mentioned.

[jenni-b]

LR Central is the flagship school of the state. LR Parkview and LR Mills seem to have good programs IF your kids are AP-type students, but can still be sketchy.

Actually, Central is the one where you will fall through the cracks if you're not in the upper echelon. and with the size of that school, that's a lot of kids falling through the cracks.

As the arts/science magnet, Parkview is a great school for creative kids. Mills focuses on college prep.

[hotair2]

Originally Posted by jenni-b

Actually, Central is the one where you will fall through the cracks if you're not in the upper echelon. and with the size of that school, that's a lot of kids falling through the cracks.

As the arts/science magnet, Parkview is a great school for creative kids . Mills focuses on college prep.

Agreed, and if you fall through the cracks your kid could end up in a little trouble. Central has some gang activity. If you can afford it, Pulaski academy. Great school.

[jenni-b]

There's also eStem. It's kind of new, though.

[Dr. Foosball]

Central is the only public school in Arkansas that still offers Latin. It is a wonderful school.

[ArkansasSlim]

Originally Posted by hotair2

As one poster stated. There really is no large city in Arkansas. Little Rock and North Little Rock are as big as it gets in Arkansas. I think they have about 280K. You can check CD for the total number of people.

It is not clear as to what you are looking for other than schools for your children. Based on what you wrote. Maumelle is probably a good choice. I like Maumelle. They have affordable homes there. It is pretty and it is very close to little Rock...just across the river.

If you have the resources. In my opinion, Pulaski Academy is the best school in Arkansas. 99% of their students go on to attend four year universities or colleges. It is a good feeder school for some of the better universities.

https://www.pulaskiacademy.org/podiu...x?t=41063&rc=1

If I had the choice, there are only two places that I would consider living in Arkansas...either Little Rock (includes Maumelle) and Fayetteville. Of course, everyone has different desires. These two places have the most in terms of shopping, resturaunts, schools and things to do.

I will "Amen" the Pulaski Academy suggestion. Our granddaughter was there K-12, has made three trips to France through a school program, graduated this year, and got a "full ride" at Hendrix College.

[jenni-b]

Good for her! You must be very proud.

[angelak_m]

Originally Posted by imaybemovin

Yikes ~ I was typing so fast that I didn't even catch the AK, AR -- SORRY! I know my state abbreviations! Although I don't know much about AR.

We can move anywhere, but I would want to be near a big town. I've heard good things about Little Rock.. but would probably want to live out of town. I've heard good and bad about the NW corner... where would be a good place there?

Schools -- I'm definitely involved in my childrens education but want the best I can give them when they walk out my door. Their school now has an excellent IB program. I'm looking for a school that can prove good test scores and high graduation rates.

I want to be close to activities... lakes, hiking, etc. Hopefully this will be our last move for a long time!

Northwest Arkansas has all that you mentioned. I know there are atleast two IB schools in Springdale, and I'm quite sure the surrounding towns have some IB schools.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by imaybemovin

Yikes ~ I was typing so fast that I didn't even catch the AK, AR -- SORRY! I know my state abbreviations! Although I don't know much about AR.

We can move anywhere, but I would want to be near a big town. I've heard good things about Little Rock.. but would probably want to live out of town. I've heard good and bad about the NW corner... where would be a good place there?

Schools -- I'm definitely involved in my childrens education but want the best I can give them when they walk out my door. Their school now has an excellent IB program. I'm looking for a school that can prove good test scores and high graduation rates.

I want to be close to activities... lakes, hiking, etc. Hopefully this will be our last move for a long time!

Don't worry about the Ak versus AR. It happens and I don't think snotty comebacks are needed. Most of us realize it is a common mistake, whether typo or just not thinking...Anyway there are so many places you would want to consider, partly depending on housing allowance, climate you may be interested in, and overall culture.

Little Rock is the largest city, has much hotter summers than NWA and milder winters. I will let others tackle the school issues.

NWA is has some outstanding schools, you can live in a rural area and be only 15 minutes or so from the perks of a city, like shopping, good hospitals, entertainment etc.

The middle part of the state, like Little Rock and then north to Ft Smith is going to be a little more "bible Belt" than NW, which may or may not affect your choice. Also remember with a larger city, you will get more urban problems. Not that even Little Rock is truely Urban, but it is a close as you will get.

Of course there is also the NE part of the state, but you will get very little city life if that is the direction you are heading.

Last, but not least might be Hot Springs. It is a smaller town, not too terribly far from Little Rock and pretty touristy, but very pretty.

The only schools I know anything about are those in NWA. Probably that area has the best schools, but don't put too much into test scores, they are nothing but a guide line. Kids that want an education and have family involvement like you do will get one and those who don't will fall by the wasteside. The graduation rate will be higher in the NWA area because the overall educational level of the residence is higher. This isn't saying anything about the rest of the state, it is just a fact.

There are many other parts of AR to consider, I just hit on the ones that I know a little bit about. Oh, for outdoor life, you can't beat the NW corner.

good luck,

Nita

ps: just noticed this thread was started in the summer and OP hasn't been back. WOnder what she ended up doing?