Overview

Forest Park Elementary School is a friendly and nurturing neighborhood school right in the heart of Little Rock! It is nestled in the charming Heights community. Established in 1913, Forest Park has served students with academic excellence in Pre-K through Fifth Grade for over 100 years. Generations of students have followed their parents and grandparents in the Forest Park legacy. We cultivate a family atmosphere where relationships and communication between parents, students and staff is our first priority! We encourage wholesome values and high expectations while embracing 21st century learning! The Forest Park community consists of dedicated high-performing students, parents, and staff working together to create the optimal learning experience!

Forest Park Elementary School is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In 1982, the U.S. Department of Education created the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which has honored America’s most successful public and private schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students' academic achievement. Forest Park was awarded this distinguished honor during the 2012-2013 school year. We are proud to fly our National Blue Ribbon School flag as a mark of excellence in education and a tribute to our students, parents, and staff whose hard work has earned us this notable recognition!

Forest Park Elementary ranks as a top performing school in the state of Arkansas, consistently receiving an A rating on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) School Report Card. 84% of Forest Park students score proficient or exceeding grade level on standardized assessments.

The mission of the Forest Park Elementary community is to provide progressive and differentiated instruction in a nurturing environment that develops a life-long love of learning and prepares students for the future.

Forest Park has an outstanding educational program. Under the guidance of strong leadership and a dynamic staff, Forest Park’s educational program is based on the Arkansas Academic Standards and the most current pedagogy methods to ensure that all students achieve maximum success. The curriculum includes comprehensive literacy based on the science of reading with direct instruction for Language Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). The curriculum also includes weekly gifted and talented, physical education, art, and music programs, as well as a library media program featuring information literacy lessons, reading incentive programs, and news broadcast production.

The curriculum is delivered and scaffolded through the use of SMART Interactive Panels and Whiteboards, document cameras, and the 1:1 Student Chromebook Initiative in grades K -5. Students also participate in several internet-based skill enrichment software programs, including the coding/robotic software programs, Scratch and Lego Robotics, exposing our students to the latest trends in technology. Lexia Reading is an online software program that supports differentiated reading instruction for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students targeting skill gaps so as to build a strong foundation in reading comprehension and fluency skills. DreamBox is an online software program that encourages math competency for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students by providing personalized learning for each individual student. Gizmo, a repository of math and science simulations, inspires mathematical and scientific inquiry and understanding for all students. Stock Market Game through Economic Arkansas promotes the learning of economic and financial concepts for Fifth Grade students. The Northwest Evaluation Assessments (MAP) learning continuum guides effective instruction for personalized student learning.

Forest Park offers a variety of educational clubs and experiences that support life skills and encourage team work, good sportsmanship, and life-long learning! Students have the opportunity to participate in Chess Club, Library Book Clubs, Birthday Club, Peer Helpers, Student Council, Safety Patrol, Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, Quiz Bowl, Science Fair, Kid Science Challenge, and National History Day Project. Students attend cultural events centered around the arts and science through field trips to the Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Ballet, and NASA Space Camp.

Uniforms: Forest Park students wear uniforms to keep the focus on learning! Girls wear white or forest green polo style long or short sleeved shirts or white button-down short or long sleeved cotton shirts (no t-shirts). Girls wear navy, khaki, or selected Forest Park navy plaid pants, shorts, skorts, skirts, dresses, or jumpers. Boys wear white or forest green polo style long or short sleeved shirts (no t-shirts). Boys wear navy or khaki pants or shorts. Most Fridays are “Spirit Days!” Students may wear a Forest Park t-shirt with blue denim shorts or pants on “Spirit Days.” “Free Dress Days” are allowed and earned periodically. Students may wear school appropriate clothes of their choice on “Free Dress Day.” “Spirit Days” and “Free Dress Days” will be announced.

Forest Park Elementary School provides a strong foundation in preparation for higher education, life-long learning, and future success!