- BEARDEN HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 7–12 · 227 students
- BEARDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–6 · 219 students
| Metric | North Little Rock School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | Not rated | — | Near average |
About North Little Rock School District
North Little Rock School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 72116 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 72116. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, North Little Rock School District spends approximately $9,500 per student per year, placing it near the Arkansas state average of approximately $9,500 and significantly below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts with constrained budgets face challenges with class sizes, program breadth, and facility upkeep. Ask specifically about available services when enrolling. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 14 schools serving grades K–12, North Little Rock School District qualifies as a large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 8,200 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Why This District Is Not Yet Rated
North Little Rock School District does not currently have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating. Our ratings are based on state assessment proficiency data (reading and math) published in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection, and this district does not yet have sufficient reported proficiency data to calculate a reliable score. This is common for very small districts, special-purpose or charter agencies, and newly reorganized districts.
An unrated status is not a negative signal — it simply means we don’t have enough assessment data to place North Little Rock School District on the 1–10 scale yet. Families researching this area should contact the district directly for school performance information, request the most recent state report card, and visit schools in person before making a housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 72116 data.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 72116
Children in zip code 72116 are assigned to North Little Rock School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 72116, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact North Little Rock School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arkansas districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in North Little Rock
For families considering a purchase in the North Little Rock area, district assignment matters financially. Because North Little Rock School District serves zip code 72116, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 72116. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arkansas, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support North Little Rock School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 72116.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with North Little Rock School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 72116 data.