The Pulaski County Special School District provides opportunities to central Arkansas students, preparing them for life beyond high school through equity and excellence in education. With nearly 12,000 students and more than 2,000 employees, PCSSD spans across central Arkansas to serve residents throughout the county.
Ok, so you might have known those stats already, but did you know these lesser known facts about the district?
1. PCSSD has 27 campuses with four feeders to cover more than 600 square miles. PCSSD serves schools in Maumelle, Little Rock, North Little Rock and Sherwood including 16 elementary, five middle school campuses and five high school campuses. Starting in the 2021-2022 academic year, a virtual "campus" will be added to the mix.
2. PCSSD is offering a completely virtual K-12 school. DRIVEN Virtual Academy begins with the 2021-2022 academic year and provides flexibility in coursework with self-paced options, mentoring programs and curriculum delivery flexibility. The mission of DRIVEN Virtual Academy is to make learning personalized for all students by targeting individual interests, providing opportunities for growth and integrating blended learning models for the purpose of meeting the individual needs of all students.
3. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) has been implemented across the district. AVID increases student engagement while activating a deeper level of learning in the classroom. This initiative emphasizes rigorous coursework, relevance of instruction and relationships. It also prepares every student with a mindset of college potential. AVID is used in all elementary and secondary schools across PCSSD and is adapted to fit each grade level.
4. The integration of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) highlights good behavior in all PCSSD schools. PBIS focuses on teaching behavioral expectations, just as instructors teach about academic subjects. PBIS changes the focus to prevention instead of punishment. This aims to improve school safety and promote positive behavior with the understanding that kids can only meet behavioral expectations if they know the expectations. The PBIS initiative improves social and academic outcomes for the student while schools experience reduced exclusionary discipline practices and school personnel feel more effective.
5. Graduating PCSSD seniors earn an average of $16 million in academic scholarships annually. The mission of PCSSD is to provide rigorous college and career readiness instruction. Teachers and staff have an ongoing goal of preparing students for life after high school, including finding financial resources for students interested in continuing their education. This includes scholarships, totaling an average of more than $15 million each year.
