About LRPA

Little Rock Preparatory Academy (LRPA), a tuition-free, public charter school, opened its doors to the Central Little Rock community in August of 2009. Originally chartered as a middle school, LRPA’s mandate has since been expanded to include students in grades K-8. In August of 2011, LRPA became a member of the Exalt Education network, a charter school network based in Central Arkansas. The Academy’s mission is to prepare students from under served communities for competitive colleges and advanced careers by ensuring student mastery of the core subjects and developing the key behaviors required for personal success, citizenship and leadership in their communities and beyond.

Located just two blocks west of Arkansas Children’s Hospital at 1205 South Schiller Street, LRPA is a partner in the Central Little Rock Promise Neighborhood Initiative with UALR, UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Central Arkansas Library System and the Little Rock School District. The Initiative is improving the education and quality of life for children and families in Central Little Rock, one of the most historically significant but underserved regions of the city.

LRPA implements a research-based, best-practices academic design, enabling LRPA to meet every learner’s individual needs and ensure mastery of desired concepts and skills. The learning environment is enriched by athletics and arts electives. LRPA offers students over 25% more learning time than surrounding schools with a day that begins at 7:00 A.M. and ends at 4:30 P.M. for grades K-5 and at 5:00 P.M. for grades 6-7.

The team at LRPA is committed to helping all students develop the key behaviors required for success as individuals, citizens and leaders. LRPA’s students, who are called "Prepster Leaders", are frequently reminded to live the P.U.S.H. values: Perseverance, Urgency, Scholarship and Honor. LRPA Executive Director Benjamin Lindquist observed, "We are building a vibrant, diverse learning community where every member is committed to ensuring that students reach their greatest potential."

Board of Trustees

The Founding Board of Little Rock Prep transitioned into the Board of Trustees upon charter approval by the Arkansas State Board of Education on November 4, 2008. The Board of Trustees is a diverse, passionate group of committed citizens who have dedicated their experience and credibility to this project.

• Sharon Blackwood
  Trustee
  Former Interim Executive Director, Wildwood Park for the Arts
• Darrell F. Brown Jr., Esq.
  Vice Chair
  Attorney, The Ronald Davis Law Firm
  
• Nathaniel Noble
  Trustee
  Organic Chemist, Arkansas Department of Health
• Freddie Scott
  Trustee
  President and Chief Executive Officer, Assure Solutions Group, LLC
• Shelby Smith
  Trustee
  Urban Strategies Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church
• Charles Stewart
  Chair
  Retired Executive Vice President and Business Development Executive, Regions Bank
• Shelia Cole Washington
  Treasurer
  Project Manager, Verizon
• Angela Webster-Smith, PhD.
  Secretary
  Assistant Professor-Department of Leadership Studies, University of Central Arkansas
• Jan Zelnick
  Trustee
  Retired Executive Director, LifeQuest