For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 3,194 students in the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock, AR.
The top ranked public schools in Downtown are Gibbs Magnet Elementary School, Estem Junior High Public Charter School and Estem High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
The neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock, AR (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gibbs Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1115 W 16th St
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 447-4900
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 447-4900
Grades: PK-5
| 299 students
Rank: #22.
Estem Junior High Public Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
112 W 3rd St
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 748-9200
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 748-9200
Grades: 7-9
| 358 students
Rank: #33.
Estem High School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
112 W Third St 3rd Flr
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 374-7836
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 374-7836
Grades: 10-12
| 561 students
Rank: #44.
Estem Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
112 W 3rd St
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 748-9200
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 748-9200
Grades: K-6
| 839 students
Rank: #55.
Dunbar Magnet Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Wright Ave
Little Rock, AR 72206
(501) 447-2600
Little Rock, AR 72206
(501) 447-2600
Grades: 6-8
| 346 students
Rank: #66.
M.l. King Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
907 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 447-5100
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 447-5100
Grades: PK-5
| 382 students
Rank: #77.
Arkansas Consolidated High School-alexander
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
700 S Main St
Little Rock, AR 72203
(501) 682-1711
Little Rock, AR 72203
(501) 682-1711
Grades: 6-12
| 123 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock, AR?
The top ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock, AR include Gibbs Magnet Elementary School, Estem Junior High Public Charter School and Estem High School.
How many public schools are located in the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock?
7 public schools are located in the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock.
What is the racial composition of students in the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock?
the neighborhood of Downtown, Little Rock public schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.