PROFILES IN EDUCATION
words CATHERINE FREDERICK // image AQUIR/SHUTTERSTOCK // SPONSORED CONTENT
PROFILES IN EDUCATION
words CATHERINE FREDERICK // image AQUIR/SHUTTERSTOCK // SPONSORED CONTENT
Education is a cornerstone of our communities, shaping not only the minds of our youth but the future of society itself. Yet, as we look at the ever-evolving landscape of learning, one truth stands out: education is not one-size-fits-all. Each student is unique, with their own set of interests, aspirations, and challenges. That’s why school choice has become an essential conversation for families today, emphasizing the importance of finding the right fit for each learner.
In today’s educational landscape, opportunities have expanded in incredible ways. From public and private institutions to charter schools, specialized academies, and homeschooling, families now have a wealth of options to consider. These choices allow parents and students alike to seek out an education that reflects their values, meets their needs, and inspires a lifelong love of learning. Whether a student thrives in a structured academic setting, needs the flexibility of virtual learning, or is driven by a focus on arts, STEM, or athletics, the right environment can ignite their potential.
But how do families determine the best choice for their child? It starts with understanding the student—what excites them, what challenges them, and what environment allows them to thrive. Education is about more than academics; it’s about fostering curiosity, resilience, and creativity. Schools that prioritize these elements help students develop into well-rounded individuals, equipped not only
to succeed in the classroom but to tackle life’s challenges with confidence.
Equally important is the role of schools and educators in recognizing and nurturing individual potential. Institutions that adapt to the needs of diverse learners create spaces where every student can shine. This means offering robust academic programs, extracurricular activities, and emotional support that cater to a wide range of interests and abilities. It also includes fostering inclusive and innovative learning environments that inspire collaboration and growth.
This year’s Profiles in Education celebrates institutions dedicated to this mission. These schools and programs are more than places of learning—they are communities of support and innovation. From cutting-edge resources and personalized learning approaches to community engagement, they exemplify what it means to prioritize student success. Their stories, featured in the pages ahead, highlight the commitment of educators and the profound impact of finding the right educational fit.
As you read these profiles, reflect on the diversity of opportunities available to today’s learners. Whether you’re a parent searching for the perfect school or someone inspired by the transformative power of education, we invite you to explore, dream, and celebrate the endless possibilities education provides.
Fort Smith Public Schools
Built on a culture of excellence, Fort Smith Public Schools has long provided challenging academic instruction in a caring, safe, and nurturing environment, helping students reach their full intellectual and developmental potential.
At Fort Smith Public Schools, everyone is encouraged to believe in themselves, feel a sense of belonging, and become their best. This philosophy shapes every aspect of the district’s educational approach.
District staff and teachers foster environments where students thrive, grow, and achieve their goals. Ongoing professional development ensures that teachers stay at the forefront of educational best practices, enhancing instruction and fostering a culture of continuous growth.
The district is committed to excellence beyond the classroom, providing students with the resources they need to succeed in all areas of life. With the right guidance and support, students can reach their peak potential and soar to new heights.
Fort Smith Public Schools employs over 2,000 dedicated professionals who serve nearly 14,000 students across 27 campuses, including 2 high schools, 4 middle schools, and 18 elementary schools. The district also offers an alternative education center, an adult education center, and the Peak Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art facility focused on career readiness and technical education.
The district’s legacy of success is matched by its commitment to innovation. In 2023, the Continuous Improvement Plan was introduced to enhance educational outcomes and organizational efficiency.
The plan focuses on literacy and math achievement, expanding high school learning options, and fostering a safe and welcoming environment across the district.
Fort Smith Public Schools challenges students to think about their futures early and provides multiple pathways to achieve their goals.
Staff and students collaborate to customize educational experiences that prepare young people for continuing education, technical training, or entering the workforce. The Peak Innovation Center bridges academic excellence with realworld application through hands-on learning in a cuttingedge facility.
Students also have numerous opportunities to develop social and leadership skills through extracurricular activities, including band, theater, choir, Junior ROTC, orchestra, quiz bowl, athletics, and various clubs. These programs foster creativity, teamwork, and personal growth while helping students connect with their peers and school community.
Extracurricular activities are essential to student development, offering unique opportunities to explore passions, develop critical skills, and create lasting memories. Through these experiences, students build leadership, resilience, and collaboration skills that enrich their school years and prepare them for future success.
The district also values community partnerships that strengthen student learning. Local businesses and organizations collaborate with schools to provide mentorship, internships, and volunteer opportunities. These connections create a supportive network that enriches educational experiences and prepares students for real-world challenges.
Whether in the classroom, on the field, on stage, or in the community, Fort Smith Public Schools strives to bring out the best in every student and develop responsible, engaged citizens. It isn't just a district; it's a destination for excellence.
Union Christian Academy
The mission of Union Christian Academy of Fort Smith is to provide an outstanding Christian education centered on a Biblical worldview that encourages all students to reach their highest God-given potential. The only fully accredited Pre-K through twelfth-grade private Christian school in the River Valley, Union offers students the highest academic rigor in a caring, supportive learning environment.
"Our vision is to be a nationally recognized, pacesetting leader in Christian education that honors the Lord Jesus Christ," says Dr. Justin Yates, director of development. "We are proud of our one hundred percent graduation rate, one hundred percent college acceptance rate — with ninety percent of our students offered college scholarships — and that our students test above state and national averages. More than that, we aim to develop our students' Christian character, instill a love of learning, and cultivate a desire for God."
Boasting a low ratio of fifteen students per teacher, Union Christian Academy ensures pupils in grades preschool through twelve are served according to their unique learning needs. The school balances a rigorous academic curriculum with a slate of activities and athletics to develop teamwork, leadership, and time management, creating bonds between children and their school.
Love of learning begins at the very earliest stage, through the academy's award-winning preschool. Three- and four-year-olds get a jump start on school life thanks to the program, accredited by the Department of Human Services and Better Beginnings. Featuring the Abeka curriculum to help students learn phonics and begin to master fine motor skills, and a loving, playful environment that stresses dynamic play and learning times, the school graduates young learners who love God, love others, and are kindergarten-ready.
In the elementary grades, teachers provide a dynamic, traditional learning environment in kindergarten through fifth grade. Using a wide range of teaching modalities, students master concepts according to various learning styles. Abeka, Bob Jones, Grapevine Studies, and Purposeful Design are all utilized at this level, enriched with intentional integration of daily Bible reading and weekly chapel time.
Students learn time management and responsibility during the critical sixth- through eighth-grade middle school years. Academy teachers challenge students to think creatively and critically as they dive into their curriculum from Bob Jones University, HMH History, and Larson Math. Hands-on science experiments, integration of classroom technology, and projectbased learning are all experienced by middle school students in a culture of high academics, discipleship, and encouragement.
Finally, the high school offers an academically challenging curriculum which encourages all students to reach their highest God-given potential.
The well-rounded course load includes standard, on-level courses, including English, math, history, and science, as well as competitive and enriching courses and activities. AP classes, band, art, and athletics are all offered to students, as are opportunities for eligible juniors and seniors to take concurrent college courses through an agreement with the University of Arkansas — Fort Smith.
The school's rich curriculum, many varied extracurricular activities, and reputation for academic excellence in a caring, Christforward setting come with a commitment by the administration to bring a Union Christian Academy education within the reach of as many families as possible. All of which has combined to grow the school's numbers substantially.
"Over these last six years, our school has grown as more families seek a high-quality, affordable, faith-based education that focuses on the whole child academically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually," Justin says. "You can see the work of God in the halls of our school every day."
"Further, we infuse all our classes with a Christ-centered, Biblical perspective so that while our students may access the same content as a secular school, they are also provided a distinctly Christian worldview," says Superintendent Ricky Massengale. "We aim to graduate Christian leaders and thinkers who will impact their world with the light of Christ, wherever God leads them."
Union Christian Academy offers Christ-centered education to help students reach their God-given potential.
Van Buren School District
VBSD has a reputation as a leader in education. In addition to offering high-quality academics and award-winning arts and athletic programs, the district provides students with engaging learning opportunities and one-of-a-kind experiences inside and outside the classroom.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is incorporated at all grade levels. Teachers integrate handson learning through agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship. Multiple campuses have thriving gardens and take part in FoodCorps, a national initiative aimed at connecting kids to healthy foods and practices. VBSD recently completed construction of a large greenhouse at Van Buren Freshman Academy, which serves as an extension of the classroom for VBSD’s agricultural program.
Van Buren High School (VBHS) students can learn business and design through involvement with the school’s spirit store, Pointer Place. The retail operation has physical locations on campus and at downtown’s Main Street Mercantile, as well as an online presence.
VBHS helps further ready students for college and career by offering a wide range of courses. Students can choose from numerous Advanced Placement and concurrent credit classes. Through strategic partnerships with regional universities, VBSD enables secondary students to earn college hours, complete technical certifications, and earn associate degrees before graduating high school. These are provided at little or no cost, saving families time and tuition dollars.
Students can tailor the curriculum by selecting a career pathway, which provides participants with extensive experience in industries such as engineering and medicine. On-the-job training and apprenticeships are also offered with local companies.
VBSD’s own River Valley Virtual Academy (RVVA) also offers a highly flexible learning option for students, while also giving them direct access to certified teachers at the RVVA campus.
The district also operates programs focused on wellness and sustainability. Launched in 2024, Pointer Greens Aquaponic Garden provides district cafeterias with organic lettuce, herbs,
and fresh fish. The state-of-the-art facility generates revenue through the sale of its harvests, benefitting VBSD’s free breakfast initiative, which is open to all students.
Multiple campuses and community spaces are equipped with walking trails and fitness stations. These have been made possible by JUA (Joint User Agreement) grants. To date, VBSD has received more than $670,000 in JUA grants to construct trails and erect equipment throughout the city. These are available to students and staff during the day and the community-atlarge during non-school hours.
Pointer Nation also benefits from strong community partnerships. The Van Buren Education Foundation has invested more than $1 million into the classroom through the awarding of grants for field trips, technology, and unique experiences such as Fifth Grade Camp. One of the highlights of elementary school, Fifth Grade Camp is a three-day adventure filled with outdoor activities, games, and more. The longtime VBSD tradition serves as a sort of culmination of the elementary school years and helps prepare students for the move to middle school.
PTAs, booster clubs, local businesses, and the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce also provide tremendous year-round support. VBSD assists its families in need through its IMPACT Meals initiative. Aimed at addressing food insecurity, IMPACT provides groceries to families each month and over extended holiday breaks. The district also partners with the Van Buren Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff's Department to staff full-time School Resource Officers at every campus.
None of Van Buren’s impressive programs would be possible without dedicated educators. VBSD’s highly-qualified staff create supportive environments that are conducive to learning. The district greatly values its team members and has worked diligently to increase certified and classified pay over the past decade. Such efforts have positively impacted staff retention rates and positioned VBSD as one of Arkansas’ top paying districts.
VBSD is proud to take part in Arkansas School Choice and encourages families to learn more about Pointer Nation and how they can be part of our innovative district!
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
The Community School of the Arts serves the Fort Smith Community and surrounding region by providing high-quality instruction delivered by top professionals in music, theatre, dance, and visual art. Children, youth, and adults can participate in after-school, evening, and weekend classes and lessons.
With artistic excellence at the core of all they do, their programs and activities meet the needs and interests of all students.
Participation in the arts can improve academic performance, develop skills like problem solving, team work and communication, build selfesteem, and more.
Founded in 2016, CSA recently moved into a new facility on the Fort Smith Riverfront. This facility, the Center for Creative Arts, houses CSA and a new arts high school, Institute for the Creative Arts. CSA’s Executive Director, Dr. Rosilee Russell, is the founder of this new charter high school. Both organizations aim to support local art students.
CSA currently offers private lessons in piano, violin, trumpet, drums and vocals. Spring programs are now open for registration with summer camps coming soon!
Follow them on social media @csafortsmith or visit their website at csafortsmith.org.
Creative Arts is a new riverfront facility in Fort Smith. Sitting behind the United States Marshals Museum on the Arkansas River, houses Community School of the Arts and the Institute for the Creative Arts. Both organizations focus on the arts. But what
The Center for the Creative Arts is a new riverfront facility in Fort Smith. Sitting behind the United States Marshals Museum on the Arkansas River, the new fine arts facility houses Community School of the Arts and the Institute for the Creative Arts. Both organizations focus on the arts. But what are their differences?
ICA, or the Institute for the Creative Arts, is the first Performing & Visual Arts immersive public charter high school in the state of Arkansas. Students can study tuition free as Arkansas residents. Half the school day is spent in arts instruction of the students’ choosing while the other is spent working on academic courses. School began in August with grades 9-11 and is open for enrollment year-round. Artist teachers from across the country instruct at ICA in a variety of disciplines, including musical theatre, dance, visual and digital arts, digital music technology, recording studio industry, and pop music ensembles. ICA specializes in preparing creative students to make a career in the arts.
charter high school. Students can study tuition free as Arkansas residents. Half of the school day is spent in arts while the other half is spent working toward graduating with their high school diploma. School began this fall with grades 9-11 enrollment year round. Graphic design, dance, theatre, music and more will be offered. Artist teachers have been hired from across the
ICA versus CSA: ICA students are housed daily from 8am-4pm in the new Center while CSA, Community School of the Arts, students attend the Center after school through the evening. The Center for the Creative Arts is a HUB for arts education for all ages from young children through high school and beyond!
community as an afterschool arts program by offering arts classes, lessons, and camps to all age groups during after school summer. Play an instrument, join a theatre production, paint, or attend a summer camp. Professional instructors meet the needs students, including adults. Both organizations offer public shows and performances throughout the year.
ICA is a fine arts public charter high school. Students can study tuition free as Arkansas residents. Half of the school day is spent in arts classes of their choosing while the other half is spent working toward graduating with their high school diploma. School began this fall with grades 9-11 and is open for enrollment year round. Graphic design, dance, theatre, music and more will be offered. Artist teachers have been hired from across the country.
“Artistic excellence is at the core of everything we do”, says Dr. Rosilee Russell, Founder of both CSA and ICA. “We offer programs and activities that meet the needs and interest of all students.”
CSA serves the community as an afterschool arts program by offering arts classes, lessons, and camps to all age groups during after school hours and in the summer. Play an instrument, join a theatre production, paint, or attend a summer camp. Professional instructors meet the needs and interests of all students, including adults. Both organizations offer public shows and performances throughout the year.
available to the public. Call today! on ICA: icafortsmith.org | 479-434-2114 on CSA: csafortsmith.org | 479-434-2020
Tours of this facility are available to the public. Call today!
For more information on ICA: icafortsmith.org | 479-434-2114
For more information on CSA: csafortsmith.org | 479-434-2020
Tours are available, call today! icafortsmith.org | 479.434.2114 csafortsmith.org | 479.434.2020
1ST LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Dedicated to developing the whole child — mind, body, and spirit — 1st Lutheran of Fort Smith sets the standard for a quality, faithbased education, placing Jesus Christ at the center of learning and character development.
"We understand that education involves the whole child," says Kristin Basham, director of community involvement. "From intentionally designing spiritual life opportunities to offering leadership roles, after-school clubs, arts programs, and more, we want children to have the chance to grow in every aspect of their lives."
Founded in 1853, 1st Lutheran serves children from two years of age through fifth grade. The school combines outstanding academics with arts and extracurricular activities while maintaining small class sizes to ensure individualized attention.
These features resonate with families who value a nurturing, Christcentered environment where their children can grow and thrive.
Despite its small size, the school offers a broad range of extracurricular activities. These include thriving art, vocal music, and band programs, as well as a unique majorette program, which hosts a majorette clinic open to kindergarten through fifth-grade students.
Affordability is another hallmark of the school. With one of the most reasonable tuition rates in the area, along with scholarships and tuition assistance, 1st Lutheran makes a faith-based education accessible to a wide range of families. This reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a community that feels like family.
"At 1st Lutheran, we recognize the importance of family in a child’s educational success, and we are here to support parents in that journey," says Principal Samuel Fishburn. "As a school family, we are here for one another — to be together, support each other, and enjoy one another. It’s not just something we say, it’s part of who we are. We are family-focused and Christ-centered."
FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH
A tuition-free, public charter high school centered on a personalized approach to learning, Future School provides a unique structure to education. Through student-designed internships, tailored learning plans and one-on-one personal advising, students in grades nine through twelve are engaged to identify interests, cultivate in-demand skills, and graduate ready for the real world through partnerships with local K-12, higher education, and business/community organizations.
Established in 1995 as a Big Picture Learning School, Future School of Fort Smith was the first school of its kind in the state and operates on a mission of putting students directly at the center of their own learning.
“Future School of Fort Smith empowers every student to shape their future and community through engaging them in high quality, professional educational experiences,” says Boyd Logan, school director and co-founder. “We are the only public school in Arkansas to provide personalized, comprehensive advising
coupled with professional internships and tuition-free college experience for every student.”
Families and community partners have responded to the school’s approach as evidenced by the growth of the student body and its stakeholders in Fort Smith. From 2016 to 2019 enrollment tripled from 58 to 230. Students earn college credit while attending Future School and have their choice of more than 130 internship sites in Fort Smith.
All of this rests on a firm foundation of core values that seeks to shape the ethics and character of students to develop a mindset that treats each person with dignity and justice, practices healthy conflict resolution, and includes and respects the views of others.
“At Future School we engage in practices that promote a growth mindset,” Logan said. “We sincerely believe in the potential for each student to thrive and we are invested in the personal and professional growth of every person on our campus.”
