| Pulaski Academy | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Little Rock, Arkansas, USA | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private Secondary |
| Established | 1971 |
| Grades | Pre K-12 |
| Enrollment | 1,335 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Blue, Gold |
| Mascot | Bruin |
| Nickname | PA |
| Website | PulaskiAcademy.org |
Pulaski Academy (PA) is a private, independent college preparatory, preschool, elementary, and junior/senior high school in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood of Little Rock, Arkansas. PA was established in 1971 and remains as the only independent, non-sectarian, college preparatory school in Arkansas.
"When busing was introduced in the early 1970s to counteract the effects of racially defined residential patterns, whites built private schools in the suburbs or fled the county altogether. In 1971, insurance and real estate man William F. Rector announced the construction of the private Pulaski Academy in the western suburbs of the city for those, he said, who "don’t like busing.” [1]
PA is accredited by ISACS (Independent Schools of the Central States), ANSAA (Arkansas Non-public School Accrediting Association) and NCA CASI (North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement) and CITA (Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation). PA is a member of the Cum Laude Society, National College Board and NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools).
Pulaski Academy was named 2003 "Best of the Best" Private High School by the readers of an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette contest.
During the 2008-2009 academic year, fifteen members of the Class of 2009 were named as National Merit Scholars, three as Commended Scholars and twelve as Finalists. This was not only a record for the school, but it was also the highest number of Finalists of any high school in Arkansas. Average enrollment is approximately 1,335 students, with a student/teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
The school's mascot is the Bruin and school colors are navy blue and gold. The school's football team is coached by Kevin Kelley, who has gained notoriety for his eccentric strategies, which include the total rejection of punting and returning punts, as well as a reliance on the onside kick.[2]
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Pulaski Academy also has a Fine Arts Department. The fields included in this category are Drama (Introduction to Drama, Drama, and Theater Repertoire), Choir (Harmony Boys/Girls, Concert Choir, Bella Voce, and PA Sounds), Art (Introduction to Art, Introduction to Design, Ceramics, Pre-AP Studio Art, AP Studio Art, and AP Art History), and Band (Beginning, Middle, and Upper School Wind Ensembles). Students involved in these areas often take part in regional or statewide events, such as the Arkansas All-Region and All-State Bands.
PA has an Honor System led by four core values. The motto for this system is respectively names "Honor Above All," and the four core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, and excellence are incorporated into the classroom as well as in disciplinary matters.
Alex Hinson- The 2010 graduate who was founder of the "Jort" movement at the school.