The number of community schools in the Little Rock School District continues to grow. District leaders announced Monday that McDermott Elementary School and Dunbar Magnet Middle School will be added to the district’s community schools roster.
Speaking at Dunbar Monday, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said this brings the total number of community schools in the district to eight.
“We understood that there are particular schools within the school district where we wanted to make certain that the community was more involved, that we provide more wrap-around services… to ensure that we increase educational achievement,” Scott said.
Community schools provide enhanced services to students and families, including aftercare, healthcare, food assistance and tutoring. Locations for community schools are chosen according to several factors, including absenteeism, food insecurity and the number of families whose first language is not English.
Dunbar Principal Quintin Cain says the school’s long-standing presence in Little Rock lends itself well to the community schools model.
“I think we were already strong with community partners, our goal is really making sure that we take all of it, and make sure it’s meeting all the unique needs that we have for all of our students,” Cain said. “It’s going to continue to help us bring in resources and also strengthen the resources we have to meet the needs of our students.”
The City of Little Rock partners with the LRSD on the community schools program, along with other entities like the Arkansas Foodbank, the Central Arkansas Library System and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
McDermott Elementary School Principal Pam Dial said her school’s needs predated the March 31, 2023 tornado which impacted their neighborhood.
“Attendance has been an issue that predates the pandemic at McDermott, and continues to be an issue, and if we don’t have children in school, we cannot educate them,” Dial said.
The schools join Watson, Chicot, Mabelvale, Washington and Stephens elementary schools, and Mabelvale Middle School, in following the community schools model.
