Rockefeller Early Childhood Magnet Elementary School

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Rockefeller Elementary opened in 1979. It was named to honor Winthrop Rockefeller (1912-1973), Governor of Arkansas from 1967 to 1971.

Rockefeller was built to replace two existing schools. One of them, the Parham School (built in 1908), was in the construction path of the proposed Interstate 630, so much of the funding for its replacement came from the state highway and transportation departments. The new school was bid at $2.3 million.

With the prospect of a beautiful new school, the Little Rock School District decided also to close the Kramer School on Sherman Street (built in 1895). The Kramer School had gained national attention as the site of the Center for Early Development and Education established by Dr. Bettye Caldwell, Professor of Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The center, often referred to as "The Kramer Project," began in 1969. The decision was made to move the center to the new school.

The Rockefeller Early Childhood Program provides educational experiences and child care for children aged six weeks to three years. It was developed to determine the effects of a high-quality education coupled with an extended-day childcare program on children who were from six months of age through the sixth grade in school. Rockefeller opened to early childhood and intermediate students (grades 4-6) in August 1979 with an enrollment of 563. It became a full elementary school and center for early childhood education in 1987. The school currently serves children ranging in age from 6 weeks through 5th grade.

Rockefeller is an open-space school. It offers specialized work labs, music instruction and performance areas and even separate playground areas with age-appropriate equipment for toddlers, pre-kindergartners and elementary students. Rockefeller was one of six LRSD schools to be designated an "incentive school." The extra funds it receives allows the school to retain a full-time nurse and Early Childhood Coordinator as well as specialists in art, music, physical education, technology and media.

Rockefeller also is one of two schools participating in the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP), an initiative of the Milken Foundation to attract, retain, motivate and develop talented teachers. TAP helps teachers become the best they can be by giving them opportunities to learn better teaching strategies and compensates them based on their performance.

Rockefeller's renowned Show Choir has earned a reputation as an excellent performing group and has performed all around Arkansas and as far away as New York and Hawaii.

Features: The Computer Science theme is evident by 140 computers throughout the school. The music program is outstanding and has two show choirs that have traveled out of state to perform. A certified physical education specialist leads the outstanding physical education program. The science specialist serves students in grades 3-5 in a fully equipped science laboratory.

Rockefeller has a full time nurse, counselor and social worker.

The outstanding Accelerated Reader Program started at Rockefeller in 1999. Extended Day activities include scouts, art classes, hand bell ringers, primary and intermediate show choirs, Computer Club, Running Club, small group tutoring, Science Club and LOVE Team. Rockefeller also offers an early childhood education program, accepting infants as young as six weeks of age.