King Interdistrict Magnet Elementary School

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Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary was constructed in 1993. This is the third LRSD school to bear the name of the great civil rights leader. The first was Granite Mountain Elementary at 201 Gillam Street (its name was changed to Martin Luther King, Jr., Intermediate School in 1981); this school closed in 1982. The second was Oakhurst Elementary at 4800 West 26th Street (it changed its name to Martin Luther King, Jr., School in 1982). This school ceased operation as a school in 1990 and now serves as the LRSD Adult Education Center.

The new building and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission were dedicated in a joint ceremony on December 5, 1993. Rev. Derek B. King, a nephew of Dr. King, was present to help dedicate the school and the commission.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary offers a high-intensity learning magnet program, concentrating on student-centered learning experiences rather than a teacher-centered approach. It is an interdistrict school, serving students from all three school districts in Pulaski County.

Features: Martin Luther King offers STAR Math and Reading, computer based programs that determine math and reading levels and that reinforce skills. It also participates in Project SOAR (Student Online Achievement Reports). Project SOAR will allow your child's teachers to create tests and assignments based on Arkansas' education standards and assessments. Teachers will be able to monitor their students' progress throughout the school year. Project SOAR will be used to establish school, grade and student-level reports that will measure student performance in the areas of math, reading and science. The data will be used to formulate instruction and will help teachers examine what is working and not working in their classroom - therefore improving student achievement. Other featured programs are ELLA (Early Literacy Language Approach), a balanced literacy approach using reading, writing, listening and speaking to strengthen and support language skills; Thematic Units, which are closely aligned with the Arkansas Standards and Benchmarks and are used to help students make a natural connection to the learning process; Animated Literacy, a research based program that teaches sounds and specific gestures to help students “sound out” words quickly and develop the sense that “I can read;" and Accelerated Reader, a computer-based reading incentive program.

A variety of specialty classes help to provide students with a well- rounded curriculum. All students have weekly classes in music, art and physical education. There is a weekly enrichment program for all K-2 students and a Gifted / Talented program for 3rd - 5th grade students. There are opportunities for students to perform in music programs, to enter artwork competitions and participate in physical fitness opportunities, such as the Diabetes Walk.

King offers a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs to provide students opportunities for social interaction.

• • • Quiz bowl Competition between Gifted/ Talented teams
    • Annual Science / Social studies Fair –Alternate years
    • Renaissance Readers - Volunteers visit assigned classrooms weekly and read to the students.
    • Student Council
    • Basketball team / Cheerleaders
    • Morning Broadcast Student Teams
    • Scouts
    • After School Care
    • Science Club

We have a full time nurse and two full time counselors. All classrooms have new computers, TV monitors and VCRs.

History: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interdistrict Magnet Elementary School was built in 1993. The school was named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The philosophy and expectations of the school are based on Dr. King's principles of life. The school has also adopted the city Park that is adjacent to the playground.

King is located in the heart of downtown Little Rock. From I-630, take exit 2B. We are one block east of Arkansas Children's Hospital and two blocks south of the State Capitol.