WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity
Do South® is proud to recognize the contributions of school systems and educational organizations in our community.
They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing the best opportunities for our students. Join us as we salute the passion they share for education.
WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity
Do South® is proud to recognize the contributions of school systems and educational organizations in our community.
They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing the best opportunities for our students. Join us as we salute the passion they share for education.
Founded in 2006 at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and established as its own nonprofit in 2016, Community School of the Arts has grown tenfold, today educating more than one thousand students. The school, currently located in the former St. Boniface School in Fort Smith, continues to innovate, and grow, with new programs and on the cusp of a new campus.
“We’re building a new facility, the Center for the Creative Arts, on our river front,” says Dr. Rosilee Russell, founder, and executive director. “It’s a 40,000-square-foot facility housing all our arts programs. We’re also opening the Institute for the Creative Arts, the first in the state, which is a program for high school kids entering grades nine through twelve.”
The Institute provides arts education through various programs. High schoolers attend classes at the new Institute for half the school day, receiving three credits at their respective high school. The program, which offers courses in musical theatre, dance, and commercial music, welcomes its first class of students in the fall.
The new offering comes on the heels of the organization’s brand-new Preschool for the Creative Arts, serving students ages three through five. It’s the first-ever arts-based preschool program in Arkansas, according to Rosilee.
The school’s curriculum also includes the Susan Burrell Hutchinson Community Arts Connection after-school program for children and teens, which continues the school’s mission to make arts education available at each stage of children’s lives through high school.
“The philosophy behind our programs is very much like athletics and that is to start a child as young as you can in the arts,” Rosilee says. “From preschool age through high school, we train them and prepare them to either go on to college in the arts or to do what they want to do with their artistic talent.”
As an open enrollment public charter high school, Future School of Fort Smith requires no application or tuition. It stresses the same academic rigor and achievement as its peer schools and works every day to prepare its students for success after graduation. But the relatively recent addition to Fort Smith’s education offerings achieves these goals in ways that are different than its peer institutions. In addition to a challenging in-class curriculum, Future School also employs a robust network of community partners to provide internships and training in various career fields.
“We’re called Future School because our goal is to prepare our students for their future after high school,” says Kristan Mosely, community outreach director. “There’s a lot of students who come here because they really like our internship program. They really like the idea of graduating and actually being prepared for a career.”
Each student’s education is guided by Big Picture Learning, a pedagogy that puts students directly in the center of their own learning. The first BPL school in Arkansas, Future School programs are highly flexible to help define and meet individual goals and needs. “We really focus a lot on hands-on learning,” Kristan says. “Our size, and the fact that we’re a charter, gives us a little bit of flexibility that some students need. It’s not one-size-fits-all model. Our goal is to help students succeed and if we can do that by tweaking things or changing things a little bit, then we are more than happy to do so.”
The school maintains relationships with local businesses and organizations that provide literally hundreds of internship opportunities in a variety of job fields. And, through an arrangement with Western Arkansas Technical Center, provides an opportunity for free college classes in technical and non-technical fields of study.
“Our internship program is one of the biggest things we do,” Kristan said. “We have kids doing internships right now in everything from being a barber to working in dental offices and with veterinary clinics. We have one student interning with EMS, and at the same time she is getting her certification. She will have a job waiting for her when she graduates.”
Another unique feature of Future School is each student is assigned a faculty adviser who provides guidance and mentorship through the high school experience. “This advisor serves much like a school parent,” Kristan says. “They’re the one guiding the student through high school, helping them to determine what they want to do after high school, and making sure their work and their grades are where they need to be. They also move up with the student; at graduation, the adviser even hands them their diploma.”
The River Valley Virtual Academy (RVVA) recognizes that the traditional school model is not necessarily the ideal fit for every child. Whether students are seeking more time to live life outside the classroom or desiring a more self-paced learning program, RVVA provides flexible and portable education options that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual families.
Established in 2017 as a charter academy of the Van Buren School District, RVVA is a fully accredited K-12 institution that offers students online curriculum conveniences, but with public school perks. Tuition is free and courses are provided at no cost to families. Classes are taught by passionate, experienced, certified teachers who can be accessed online or in-person at the RVVA campus. Students from all grade levels can attend support sessions and receive help from teachers.
Parents also play an active role in their children’s education at RVVA. “The parent is a partner in this,” noted RVVA Director Dr. Jennifer Feeny. “They serve as the learning coach at home. Parents are very involved for the younger students and as students move into the higher grades, they become more independent.”
Online learning is best suited for students who are self-motivated and able to responsibly manage their coursework. RVVA leaders work closely with parents to help ensure that participants complete their assignments in an appropriate amount of time. In addition to required conferences each semester, parents can also request to meet with RVVA teachers, as needed. RVVA offers progress reports that make it easy to track improvement, and upon graduation, students receive the same diploma as their VBSD peers at the district’s commencement ceremony.
Self-paced learning provides great flexibility for families wanting to weave in unique experiences throughout the school year. Many RVVA students devote additional time to taking trips and pursuing outside interests or career endeavors. Families who must accommodate for frequent work travel, medical appointments, or other needs also benefit from RVVA’s adaptable structure.
Those enrolled in the virtual academy are recognized as VBSD students, qualifying them to participate in the district’s various arts, athletics, and academic programs. RVVA students have the option to attend electives such as band, basketball, and theatre on-site at VBSD campuses, as well as other extra-curriculars which meet during or after school hours. The unique setting of RVVA also allows for peer engagement through educational field trips, college campus visits, and community service opportunities.
RVVA is open to K-12 students throughout Arkansas. Students residing outside the Van Buren School District zone are eligible to enroll but must complete a school choice application. Submission deadline for the 2023-2024 school year is May 1, 2023.
While many private schools in Arkansas still struggle to rebuild enrollment to pre-pandemic levels, Union Christian Academy has been in full-on growth mode. The K-12 school has seen a leaps-and-bounds increase in enrollment thanks to its academic rigor and Christian environment.
“We have grown by sixty-four percent over the last five years,” says Ricky Massengale, superintendent. “Parents are seeing things in the culture today and they understand culture is not something that’s just out there, but something going on within school systems, too. It’s really kind of alarming what kids are being exposed to. Parents look at what’s going on in the world and a Christian education is an attractive thing.”
Ricky says these external factors have led more people to Union Christian Academy’s door, where they like what they see in academic achievement, extracurriculars and affordability.
“The first misconception we always have to tackle is people think they can’t afford private school,” he says. “Several years ago, we introduced an income-based tuition model where families who earn $100,000 or less can apply for a tuition discount. Our desire is that there is equal sacrifice not necessarily equal cost. We know not every family earns the same money, and we want as many students as possible to have access to a Christian education.”
Another misconception is that small private schools can’t offer as many perks or provide the quality of education of the public school system. Here again, Union Christian Academy defies expectations. “We have a very competitive academic program,” Ricky says. “We offer AP courses, foreign language, and we partner with the University of Arkansas Fort Smith to offer concurrent classes. We have sports programs, and we have fine arts programs.
“Our students do well on standardized tests, especially when compared to national and state averages. We have a 100 percent graduation rate and a 100 percent college acceptance rate.”
But above all else, Ricky says, what sets Union Christian Academy apart is a deep and abiding focus on providing these amenities on a foundation of Christian morals and principles.
“We care about the whole student, not just the academic side,” he says. “As superintendent, I care about the culture of the school. I want us to be a distinctly Christian school where students are immersed and surrounded by those who are all on track and all on mission for the same thing, which is to receive that Christ-centered education.
“That happens in academics, yes, but it also happens in the culture and the life of the school. We care about their character. We care about their hearts.”
“Pointer Pride” extends to every aspect of the Van Buren School District (VBSD). Home to nearly 6,000 students, VBSD is recognized as a leader in academics, athletics, arts, and beyond. VBSD’s mission is to serve the community by providing a learning environment that enables students to attain their full potential and that promotes lifelong learning. This is accomplished through diverse course offerings, and by giving students access to programs that help meet their individual needs.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is incorporated at all grade levels. Teachers integrate hands-on 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 food and practices. Van Buren High School (VBHS) students can learn business and design through involvement with the school’s spirit store, Pointer Place.
VBSD also offers a wealth of 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. Courses are provided at little or no cost to families. This saves students time and tuition dollars and gives them a workforce advantage.
The commitment to excellence also extends to VBSD’s extracurricular programs. The 2022 State Champion Pointer Marching Band won five of the last six years. The Boys Wrestling team captured two state titles in 2022, while the Boys Soccer, Boys Golf, Baseball, and Co-ed Cheer teams were state runners-up. Recent years have also included state champion bowling wins and countless other honors.
VBSD is also a leader in school safety. It was one of the first districts in Arkansas to employ a full-time School Resource Officer at every campus. The district also utilizes modern safety technologies including surveillance and check-in systems at every school.
High-quality education is impossible without highly qualified personnel. VBSD is proud to be among the top-paying districts for both new and veteran teachers. It also offers competitive benefits packages for both certified and non-certified employees.
The district is also home to beautiful campuses and state-of-the-art venues. Recent years have included the construction of a new elementary school, trail installations, additions to Citizens Bank Stadium, and transformation of the VBHS track into one of the state’s finest athletic complexes.
VBSD is committed to helping its students succeed and to serving the community which offers its schools tremendous support year-round. “We are fortunate to be part of an amazing community that values education and understands the importance of investing in our schools,” said Superintendent Harold Jeffcoat. “It is because of our local leaders, partners, and families that we are able to provide a premier educational experience to our students at every level.”
Boasting excellent academics, engaged faculty and staff, and a wide range of extracurricular programs, Greenwood Public Schools is perennially atop the rankings of the best school systems in Arkansas. Suzy Wilson, assistant superintendent, said the secret to the district’s success lies within the wider community.
“Businesses and parents work together so well with our school district,” she said. “I think that’s the advantage of being in what we consider a somewhat smaller town. Education in Greenwood is a product of the whole community.”
Together, the various stakeholders have created something truly special within the district’s seven accredited schools serving nearly four thousand students. Accolades include being rated first in the state for best place to teach and best place for athletic success; ranking second in Arkansas for best public school district and
among the top three percent nationwide. Greenwood is also a Purple Star District, ranking fifth in Arkansas in military student enrollment and a partner with Ebbing Air Force Base in Fort Smith.
The district sets the tone for success early with its two elementary schools, East Pointe and Westwood, both ranking in the top five percent in Arkansas for academic achievement and academic growth. Challenging curriculum, small class size and innovating teaching sustains this excellence all the way through high school where the district enjoys a ninety-nine percent graduation rate. Last year’s graduating class collectively won nearly ten million dollars in scholarships. Academics are focused on continuous improvement and teacher efficacy, helping to ensure that the excellence of today is shaped and improved for the future.
“From pre-k to twelfth grade districtwide, we practice professional learning community strategies. These strategies translate to the belief that ‘all means all,’ and that all students at Greenwood Schools will receive a quality education,” says Superintendent John Ciesla. “Our vision is excellence in education, and we believe we provide that excellence each and every day.”