About Our School
LITTLE ROCK SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL
Little Rock Southwest High School is located on 55 acres in Southwest Little Rock, and is the newest flagship high school for the state’s capitol city. Our scholars have access to a wide variety of challenging classes and pathways.
We prepare scholars for the global stage through project-based learning and interdisciplinary teaching models. Little Rock Southwest offers a path for scholars interested in studying a specific career magnet area while in high school.
LRSW has a Freshman Academy and three career magnet academies:
· The Academy of Medical Sciences,
· The Academy of Business & Computer Science,
· The Academy of Leadership & Public Service.
Scholars begin in the Freshman Academy, during their ninth-grade year, which provides a small supportive environment as students learn what it takes to be successful in high school.
From there, students choose a pathway in one of the three Career Academies. Students are afforded a rigorous and expansive curriculum, including Advanced Placement courses, eighteen concurrent credit courses and blended learning opportunities throughout the school.
Concurrent credit courses include: AP Language and Composition, AP Literature & Composition, US History, Computer Concepts and Spanish. LRSW also offers scholars the opportunity to participate in multiple clubs, sports teams, music programs and more.
Unique Offerings
Little Rock Southwest High School helps all of our scholars make the most of their high school education, and we work closely with business and community partners to provide hands-on experiences and training.
Unique pathways, including: Sports Medicine, Biomedical Science, Drone Technology, Legal Services, Robotics, Business Marketing & Design, and Mobile App Development.
Project Lead the Way curriculum is utilized. This engaging, hands-on classroom environment empowers students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
About the Program
Academy of Medical Sciences
· Biomedical Sciences
· Medical Skills & Training
· Health & Nutrition
· Sports Medicine
Academy of Business & Computer Science
· Retail Management
· Robotics
· Supply Chain & Logistics
Academy of Leadership & Public Service
· Human & Social Services
· Law & Leadership
· Army JROTC
Concurrent Credit
· AP Language & Composition
· AP Literature & Composition
· US History
About Southwest
What's Special about the New Southwest High School?
Lobby
The main entry will have glass on the north and south sides
Green panels will flank the main entrance
Prominent Security Post
Prominent Administration area
The Admin. Area also contains a “Student store” which will be managed by students as part of the CTE programs
A large terrazzo logo will be installed in the center of the lobby with the school crest
Large monumental stair connecting 3 stories
310,000SF Academic building
Collaboration Stair
Steps will have a wood finish on them
There will be a projector mounted to ceiling
The large two-story wall will have a marker board surface on it for writing and will act as the projection screen
Classes can come together for joint presentations in these spaces
The tiers will have power and data outlets so students can plug in/ charge chrome books while working
There will be a two-story glass wall that will let sunlight into the lobby spaces
Special Education Area:
6 CBI rooms even though there is NO state minimum requirement for these
Each CBI room is 900SF
CBI rooms share a restroom w/ a shower
CBI rooms are equipped with kitchenettes and murphy bed for life skills development and smart monitors
2 Speech therapy rooms and 2 OT/PT rooms
A Health Center is located in this area which includes exam rooms, nurses office and conference room, triage/sick area and a lab
Standard Classroom
There are 65 standard classrooms
Each classroom is 900SF which is 50SF larger than the state minimum
All classrooms have natural light
All Classrooms have smart monitors
Classrooms are planned for flexibility
The school has 5 resource rooms throughout the building (state min. is 2)
The facility also features various multi-use rooms and multi-use project labs
Science Lab
Fully Equipped Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science Labs
Labs are located strategically in the core of the building with a glass wall that looks out to each atrium
Students can be seen working on experiments
Each lab is 1400SF
Media Center
Two story media center
Located in the center “knuckle” of the building so that it becomes a central focus of the building
Heavy technology focus
The media center will include:
A conference room
A virtual Technology classroom for distance learning classes
A media production room for filming/ recording/ broadcasting
The EAST lab is accessible from the media center
3rd Floor
Many of the school’s CTE labs are located on the 3rd floor
(list of labs on the board)
Most labs are 1500SF or more
There is a large Lecture/ Multi use area on the 3rd floor with a projector and screen for use by multiple classrooms, teacher or community groups
The football press box is located on the 3rd floor which will also include a hospitality room (see board)
School Colors - Green and purple
School Mascot - Gryphon - mythological creature that combines the head and wings of an eagle with the body of a lion
Topping Out New Little Rock Southwest High School - October 2018
The Little Rock School District celebrated a significant milestone with a "Topping Out" ceremony for the new Little Rock Southwest High School. Slated to open in the fall of 2020, the 390,000 SF high school will house larger classrooms, collaboration spaces, a 1200 seat auditorium, and an arena size gymnasium, among many other impressive features at the state-of-the-art facility. The combined student populations from McClellan and JA Fair, along with approximately 300 Hall High students who will be zoned for the campus, will comprise the 2,250 student body.
The public was also invited for a sneak peak behind the scenes during this latest phase of construction. More than 200 guests took advantage of touring the massive facility.
In addition to watching the green ceremonial beam being hoisted to the top of the building, students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, former board members, city directors and community members were able to sign a construction beam that will be permanently displayed and visible inside the auditorium of the new campus.
A special thanks to Nabholz, Doyne, Carson, and Ace Glass construction teams; Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects; and LRSD's Facilities Department for their support in making the event memorable.
News Coverage:
Construction Aeriel Drone Videos