LRSD News

Six Little Rock Central High students has been selected as candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. These students must complete an application to be eligible for selection as one of the 500 semifinalists, and ultimately as one of two Scholars from our state. 

Scholars are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas-academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in school and the community- and represent excellence in education and the promise of  greatness in America's youth. They are invited to Washington, DC in June to participate in National Recognition Weekend, which includes many enrichment activities and events and culminates with the presentation to the students of the Presidential Scholars medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

These students are:

Muhammad Abu-Rmaileh

Joseph Berleant

Rebecca Berry

Whitney Gao

Samia Nawaz

Jonathan Spradley

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating seniors. In 1979, the program was expanded to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. Annually, up to 141 students are chosen from among outstanding graduating seniors to become U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

Congratulations to Joseph Berleant from Central High School. This senior has been named as one of the Siemens Award Winners for Advanced Placement in the state of Arkansas.

 Besides adding a prestigious title to his college resume, he also won a $2,000 scholarship from the Siemens Foundation. Siemens winners are selected based on their exceptional performance in AP math and science. Only one male and one female student from each state are recognized each year.

Study hard, pay attention in class, do your homework… Some students actually heed these commands from their parents and teachers, and a select few have been rewarded for their hard work.
Thirteen LRSD students recently have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, and four are Semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

About 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

The LRSD's 2012 National Merit Semifinalists include:

Joseph Berleant, Central High

Kathleen Conley, Central

Catie Edwards, Parkview Magnet High

William Finkelstein, Central High

Whitney Gao, Central High

Daniel Imbro, Central High

Jesse Mellor, Central High

Yaroslav Melnyk, Central High

Samia Nawaz, Central High

Christopher Westfall, Central High

Ian Wren, Central High

Aaron Yin, Central High

Colin Zohoori, Central High

In addition, four students were honored as National Merit Commended Students, meaning they are among the top five percent of students who took the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT:

Zachary Goldberg, Central High

Daniel Halford, Central High

Rhett Smith, Parkview Magnet High

Ty Spradley, Central High

The four LRSD students who were named Semifinalists in the National Achievement program represent fully one-third of all National Achievement Semifinalists in Arkansas this year.
The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding African-American high school students. More than 160,000 high school juniors from all parts of the United States requested consideration in the 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT.
Students may enter both the National Achievement Program and the National Merit Program. Semifinalists are designated within geographic regions and are the highest-scoring program entrants in the states that make up each region.

The LRSD's 2012 National Achievement Semifinalists include:

Autumn Brown, Central High

Alexis Fuller, Central High

Felicia Headley, Central High

Jordan Thomas, Central High

 One student was honored as a National Hispanic Scholar, meaning he is among the top five percent of hispanic students who took the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT:

George Peters, Central High

One student was honored as an Outstanding Participant, meaning she was referred to colleges and universities for their potential academic success:

Princess Stewart, Central High

The United States Air Force has agreed to sponsor the first ever Capital City Rivalry football game between Little Rock Central High School and North Little Rock High School. As a sponsor, the U. S. Air Force will present the football team senior with the highest GPA from each school a scholarship for $500.

The game is at Quigley-Cox staduim at 7 p.m. this Friday.

Check out the story on on VYPE and get more details.

Lillian Tong and David Ye, students at Little Rock Central have been named Arkansas' AP Scholars. The designation of State AP Scholar is granted to one male and one female student in each U.S. state and District of Columbia with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams, and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.

In this year’s High School Challenge by the Washington Post, Little Rock Central High School ranked 123 among more than 1900 public high schools nationwide.

Central’s ranking, like the other high schools in the challenge, was determined by dividing the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other college-level tests the school gave in 2010 by the number of graduating seniors. Congratulations to Little Rock Central High School on this recognition!

Little Rock School District and individual schools were named favorites in every category in the June 2011 edition of the LR Family Magazine.

The LR Family Magazine readers voted the Little Rock School District as the overall family favorite public school.  The school district was commended for its opportunities in academic, extracurricular and child nutrition. The magazine also noted the emphasis which the district has placed on child nutrition with its breakfast and lunch programs. 

Both Pulaski Heights Elementary and Middle Schools were voted favorite public elementary and middle schools by readers.  In the public high school category, Central High School placed first with Parkview High School placing second among readers.  The magazine praised these favorites for their school tradition, parent involvement and student success which is seen not only in the mentioned schools but throughout all schools within the district. Congratulations to the schools and the Little Rock School District for continuing to excel in education!

To view all of the 2011 LR Family Favorites, click here.

High school seniors in the Little Rock School District accepted more than $19 million in scholarships this year, according to the district's high school principals and counselors. This figure is for scholarships actually accepted by students, not simply offered to them. The Class of 2011 broke last year's record of $17,338,239 with a grand total of $19,610,527. Little Rock Central High School topped the list with $9,527,131 in scholarship money accepted; Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School followed with $4,614,876; Hall High School students accepted $3,000,467 in scholarships; students at McClellan Magnet High School accepted scholarships worth $1,360,629; and J.A. Fair Magnet High School students earned $1,107,424 in scholarship money.

As demonstrated at the recent Academic Signing Day where the district's top academic students "signed" with their chosen college or university in a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion, LRSD graduating seniors will attend some of the most respected colleges and universities in Arkansas and around the country, such as Princeton, University of Arkansas, UALR, Columbia, Hendrix, LSU, University of Georgia, MIT, Baylor University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Each of the LRSD's five high schools honored its top two students with the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. If you've ever wondered exactly what a valedictorian is, it is a person -- usually the highest-ranking graduate -- who delivers the valedictory or "farewell" speech at a commencement ceremony. The salutatorian, usually the second-highest student in the class, delivers the welcoming or "salutatory" address at the ceremony.

Recognized as Little Rock Central High School’s valedictorian, David Z. Ye is the son of Wei-Wen and Jian-Hui Ye, and he is planning to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Boshan Zhao, Central's salutatorian, is the son of Zhijun Lui and Wei Zhao. Boshan will attend Stanford University in the fall.

J.A. Fair Magnet High School's valedictorian is Austin Klais, son of Christopher and Nancy Klais. Austin has plans to attend Arkansas Tech University. Keny Patel is J.A. Fair's salutatorian. Keny is the son of Pravin and Meena Patel. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Jamena Cash was honored to be the valedictorian for Hall High School's Class of 2011. Jamena is the daughter of Katherine Cash-Woods. She will attend Oxford College at Emory University in the fall. Hall's salutatorian is Sheridan McKisick. She is the daughter of Sherrie and Eric McKisick. Sheridan has plans to attend Wellesley College.

Amber Thomas is valedictorian for McClellan Magnet High School's Class of 2011. The daughter of Larry and Beverly Thomas, Amber will attend Southern Arkansas University next year. McClellan's salutatorian is Ebony Shelton. She is the daughter of Tony and Johnetta Shelton, and she is planning to attend UALR in the fall.

Valedictorian honors at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School were awarded to Miriam Pearsall. She is the daughter of Tracy and Glory Pearsall, and she will attend Princeton University in the fall. Joshua Woods is Parkview's salutatorian. He is the son of Michael Woods and Sandra Stoudamire, and he will attend Columbia University.

The Little Rock School District wishes all students in the Class of 2011 best wishes and success in all future endeavors.

The top 2011 high school graduates of the Little Rock School District were honored at the 7th Annual Academic Signing Day.  This annual event was sponsored and hosted by the Public Education of Little Rock, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and Create Little Rock at the Governor’s Mansion.  This year, 79 graduates were honored representing all five high schools, J.A Fair Magnet High School, Hall High School, Little Rock Central High School, McClellan High School and Parkview High School.  These top graduates either achieved a cumulative 4.0 grade point average from their freshman through senior years; were valedictorian, salutatorian, or ranked third or fourth in their class; or were named a National Merit Semifinalist, a National Achievement Semifinalist or a National Hispanic Semifinalist.

Thirty-five of these graduates will be attending in-state universities and colleges, while the remaining will be attending out-of-state. Some of the colleges and universities that will be attended by these distinguished graduates include Princeton University, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Columbia University, Hendrix University, Louisiana State University, University of Georgia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Baylor University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Governor Mike Beebe was present to address these top graduates.  “You may well do what your heart and mind are set on,” said Governor Beebe, “However, recognize the fact a lot of things could change, and you need to be open-minded enough to embrace new opportunities or new directions in your life as they arise.”

This event also included welcoming greetings from Centennial Bank Board of Directors Member Barbara Graves, as well as remarks from State Senator Joyce Elliot, LRSD Superintendent Dr. Morris Holmes, and President of the Public Education Foundation of Little Rock, Joe Hilliard. 

Congratulations to the 2011 Little Rock School District High School Graduates on your accomplishments and future endeavors!

Students from the very first class of AVID students are about to graduate from Hall High School and Central High School.
 
AVID means “Advancement via Individual Determination,” and it’s a college preparatory program that provides support to first-generation college-bound students who otherwise likely would not attend college after graduating from high school. It helps the students complete a rigorous college prep curriculum and gives them the self-assurance and self-confidence they need to go on to post-secondary education and later become educated and responsible participants and leaders.

All of the AVID seniors recently were recognized by the superintendent and school board members for their accomplishment of completing the AVID program. The AVID graduating seniors, and their intended colleges are:

From Central High School:
Dan Baylark - Philander Smith College
Kerry Carson - Harding University
Drucilla Caster - University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
Laura Luz Castillo - Henderson State University
Brandi Davis - University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff
Jalen Davis - Howard University
Clarissa Johnson - Agnes Scott College
Michael-Paije Johnson-Williams - University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
DeShaun Lee - University of Memphis
Taria Lightner - Pulaski Technical College
Railen Mason - University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff
Charles McCray - Arkansas State University
Dylan Purifoy - Texas State University
Alicia Saxton - Pulaski Technical College
Anuujin Sukhdavaa - University of Central Arkansas
Christine Watkins - Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago
Cenita Wilford - Tennessee State University

From Hall High School:
Tianna Baker - Arkansas State University
Eugenia Brannon    - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Chelsey Chaney - University of Arkansas
Cailein Dortch - University of Central Arkansas
Patricia Galvan - University of Central Arkansas
Justin Jackson - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Velton Kennedy - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Briahanna Kimbrough - Oglethorpe University
Ariel King - Arkansas Tech University
Hiteksha Patel - University of Central Arkansas
Shailisa Roberts - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Malak Rogers - University of Arkansas
Alejandra Rojas    - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Dominique Vincent - undecided

Tracy Mason at Hall High School and Stacy McAdoo at Central High School coordinate the AVID Program at their schools, supporting these students and helping them achieve their dream of attending college.