2015
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NBRS Badge for Park Magnet School

Park Magnet School - Hot Springs, AR

Park empowers students to become global citizens and lifelong learners

Park empowers students to become global citizens and lifelong learners

Park Magnet School is located in historic Hot Springs, Arkansas and is home to the second oldest National Park in the United States. Park was the first authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) school in Arkansas. Our school was honored to be a recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2009. We have also been named an Exemplary School by the Arkansas Department of Education. Park Magnet ranked first out of 569 elementary schools by the Office of Educational Policy in Arkansas for two consecutive years as a result of its high-achieving benchmark exam scores.

The data team process has been one of the greatest indicators of our success. These teams provide a structure for teachers to identify areas of student need and determine best instructional strategies. This has allowed the creation of collaborative and transparent teams of educators who continuously reflect on and improve their practice.

Park’s stakeholders believe the academic growth of our school is a direct result of high expectations, developing a rigorous and challenging curriculum through inquiry and embracing parent involvement; all while developing the whole child. Through our PYP Units of Inquiry, students are taught to reflect on what they have learned, choose a way that they can make the world a better place, and take action.

Park Magnet is committed to engaging students in an inquiry based curriculum that develops compassionate, knowledgeable, life-long learners who are empowered to create a more peaceful world through an understanding and respect of cultural diversity.

2015 Awardee

Park Magnet School

617 Main Street
Hot Springs, AR, 71913-4948

(501) 623-5661

Principal at time of Nomination:
Mrs. Diane Smith

Magnet School, Choice School

Hot Springs School District

Suburban with characteristics typical of an urban area

School Website

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Mission

Our mission is to engage students in a challenging curriculum that prepares active, compassionate, life-long learners with a respect for diversity.

Student Demographics

  • Asian: 2%
  • Black/African American: 12%
  • Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
  • Hispanic: 7%
  • Native American: 1%
  • White: 77%
  • ELL: 8%
  • Economically Disadvantaged: 49%
  • Application