Crestwood Elementary and the North Little Rock Center of Excellence will be receiving $23,350.00, and $20,600.00, respectively, for academic achievement.
The monetary gift to the schools is made possible through the Arkansas School Recognition Program, which is overseen by the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary & Secondary Education. It rewards schools in the top 10 percent where students showed exceptional growth and achievement on the state-required assessments. Across the state, 175 schools received more than $6.7 million in funding.
Crestwood ranked in the top 10 percent for academic performance. The North Little Rock Center of Excellence ranked in the top 10 percent for academic growth. The formula calls for these schools to receive $50 per student.
“Crestwood is honored to receive this reward again,” said Connie Bamburg, the principal. “We want to express a huge thank you to all staff, students, and parents for all their hard work.”
Karla Whisnant, principal of the North Little Rock Center of Excellence, said the following: “I am blessed and excited to be a part of a great team, comprised of students, staff, and parents. We do our best in putting students first. We can’t believe how far we’ve come these past two years.”
According to the news release, the reward schools are required to form a committee to decide how the funds will be distributed. They can be used for faculty and staff bonuses or educational equipment.
“I commend Crestwood and the North Little Rock Center of Excellence for earning this money,” said Superintendent Bobby Acklin. “What they have done is not an easy feat. We salute the students and staff for a job well done.”