Schools and Education - Little Rock Homes Guide

Schools and Education

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock was established in 1927 as Little Rock Junior College by the Little Rock School District. In 1957, 30 years after its establishment, the college became a private four-year institution named Little Rock University. It turned public again in 1969 when it was merged into the University of Arkansas system under its present name. Today, the University is the fourth largest School in Arkansas. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a dynamic university with a population of 11,000 full and part-time students.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a staple of the community, with local businesses depending on the student population to patronize their businesses. The University also offers cultural programs that community members enjoy attending. UALR is able to keep students in contact with the state's most influential leaders in government, business, industry, medicine, and information technology through regularly programming and lectures.

In 1957, Arkansas was like every other southern state in the midst of racial crisis in the school system. Little Rock Central High School was in the middle of a major historical event during the civil rights movement that brought much attention to the area. Nine black students, known as the “Little Rock Nine”, were denied access to the public school. They were denied access, an action that the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which ordered the integration of public schools. The standoff instigated a power play between then Governor Orval Faubus and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The event brought national attention to a growing problem throughout the South.

September 4, 1957, brought issue into the national spotlight and became the most popular news item on every station. The nine black high school students that attempted to go to school faced was an angry mob of over 1,000 white men women and children that were protesting the integration of black students.

The police escorted the students but, because of the violence that had escalated, the nine students had to be removed from the school. Within 24 hours of the incident, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division based at nearby Fort Campbell to escort the nine students into the school. 1,200 military personnel were present at the opening of school the next day.

The nation and the world were watched history being made as the students began their school day. This was the first important test in the battle of wills. Arkansas thus became the first state to openly defy the Federal government to protest the validity of desegregation. Ultimately, however, the State lost and the children got to continue their education in the integrated school.

May 20, 1982, the school was designated as a National historic landmark because of the events surrounding the difficult integration. On November 6, 1998, the same spot was designated as a U.S. National Historic Site the National Park Service.

Nowadays, the school system has continually strived to make Little Rock Central High School a premiere public high school in the state of Arkansas. The Board stresses excellence in both academics and athletics.

Academically, Little Rock Central High School sets the standard for the rest of the state. The district has consistently had the most National Merit Finalists and National Achievement winners in the state of Arkansas. Seniors graduating from Little Rock Central High School receive and average of over $4 million dollars in scholarship funds each year.