FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY

As a large elementary campus in LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY educates 777 students from grades K through 8, run under LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT. Compared to the state average of about 418 students per school, that is 86% above typical.

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT runs 40 schools in total, collectively educating 22,320 students. FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY is one of those campuses.

On the student-mix side, FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY records that 58% of the student body identifies as Black. Other groups include 27% White, 9% Hispanic, 4% Asian. That is visibly more Black than the county at large, where the share is closer to 37%.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Staff filings list 48 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 16.4:1 students per teacher. That tracks the state average closely. An estimated 55% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. Set against Pulaski County (around 71%), the school's rate is noticeably below typical.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 38.5% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 46.5%.

Around the school, the surrounding county (Pulaski County) records that median household earnings sit near $62,873, roughly 38% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 13% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Pulaski County runs 133 public schools (combined enrollment of about 64,124 students), of which FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY is one.

The closest other public school is FAIR PARK EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER, roughly 0.4 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Among the 8 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY ranks 3rd on composite proficiency, above the local average of 42.1%.

The campus sits in a high-density setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count increased 8%: 719 students in 2018 compared to 777 in 2025. Black enrollment moved from 51% to 58% across the same window. Class-load math has grew: from 14.7:1 in 2018 to 16.4:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.