Garland County Public Schools

With Seven School Districts, Garland County Residents Can Find a District Tailored to Their Needs

With seven public school districts located in Garland County, Arkansas, residents have a wide variety of choices for educating their children. Each school district allows children to excel to their maximum potential and is unique in its accolades.

Whether parents are looking for small schools with a lower teacher-to-student ratio or a larger school with more options, they will find the Hot Springs area has some of the best public schools.

Cutter Morning Star School District

One of the county’s smaller school districts, Cutter Morning Star is strong in catering learning to individual students.
The district provides student-centered learning that is personalized to help each child excel.

Cutter Morning Star School District’s mission is to inspire, engage, and challenge all students to achieve their maximum potential.
Cutter Morning Star School District also offers flexible schedules (Flex Mod) to ensure every child’s needs are met.

“Our staff is dedicated to ensuring all students are career or college ready,” said Jennifer Gilbert, business/career and technology instructor an FBLA adviser.

Fountain Lake School District

The vision of Fountain Lake School District is to partner with its community, to inspire, motivate and prepare every student to be a confident, productive, knowledgeable, goal-oriented citizen.

“We are very proud and excited to say that our staff, school board, and the community have assisted us with focusing on the success of this vision districtwide,” said Courtney Kizer, public relations coordinator for the district. “As a result, we have numerous Community/Business partnerships with our students K-12 and those relationships continue to grow.”

Project Based Learning is also something Fountain Lake School District is proud of. With a districtwide concept of Project Based Learning students are able to build confidence, work in team settings, and learn responsibility and problem-solving, all while managing themselves more effectively, Kizer said.

Fountain Lake School District recently adopted four new and district-level goals.

“One of the goals is to enhance our level of communication so that we may promote our staff and student celebrations with the community,” Kizer said. “Our focus will be on recapturing the joy in learning, acknowledging district-wide efforts and achievements and, most of all, building on a teacher family relationship.”

Hot Springs School District

The third largest district in Garland County, Hot Springs School District is home to Magnet Schools of Excellence and Distinction as well as an International Baccalaureate program.

The International Baccalaureate is available for primary years, middle years and diploma programs. The magnet programs of study include Aerospace and Environmental, Visual and Performing Arts and STEM.
Students can also study Mandarin Chinese, orchestra, dance and band, as well as participate in Navy JROTC.

“Our District motto is ‘The District of Choice, Excellence and Opportunities,’” said Dr. Stephanie Nehus, superintendent of the district. “Within that motto, I believe our magnet elementary schools, the International Baccalaureate offerings K-12 and our district-conversion charter schools (grades 7-12) provide our students and families with a lot of choices and opportunities.”

Another aspect of Hot Springs School District is its diversity, which the district is extremely proud to have and embraces, Nehus said.
Hot Springs School District also has “amazing, caring, and committed faculty and staff that embody Trojan Pride throughout the District and community,” she said.

Jessieville School District

Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Jessieville School District serves a 203-square-mile radius in northern Garland County. Jessieville pride runs deep in the area, and the school has played a major role in the history of the area.

“Our goal is to engage, empower and educate each student by utilizing current technology and state standards,” said Ralph Carter, superintendent. “We have a safe and inviting climate that addresses the needs of all students. We strive to help students become lifelong learners who are prepared for the workforce or the university of their choice.”

Jessieville School District’s exists on the foundation that all students are lifelong learners. The faculty and staff strive to strengthen students’ integrity, engagement and success in a safe and orderly environment.
Its mission statement reads, “We will produce confident 21st century global citizens through high quality instruction and an involved community. Failure is not an option!”

Lake Hamilton School District

Lake Hamilton School District excels in academics, arts, and athletics while providing an enriching atmosphere that nurtures success.

“The Lake Hamilton School District believes that students, educators, parents, and the community must work hand-in-hand to build success,” said Steve Anderson, superintendent of the district.

The faculty, staff, and administration are devoted to excellence in teaching and learning, Anderson said.

“LHSD educators focus on connecting with their students to create a fulfilling academic experience for all,” Anderson said. “With an enduring dedication, the faculty is committed to designing a K-12 curriculum that is both rigorous and relevant. All curriculum documents are aligned with the Arkansas Academic Standards; all strategies and programs are research-based and student-centered.”

With top-notch fine arts programs from kindergarten to 12th grade, Lake Hamilton School District students excel in visual arts, choir, band, and theater.

With numerous state championship titles in all sports, the Lake Hamilton School District athletic program is one of the best in the State of Arkansas, Anderson said. The coaching staff has also been recognized as being some of the best in the state.

“The culture at Lake Hamilton is unlike anywhere else. Students, staff and community members are constantly striving to set the bar in all that we do,” Anderson said.

Lakeside School District

The faculty and staff also have a strong relationship and love for students at Lakeside School District.

“Lakeside has a strong academic culture that challenges and pushes students to achieve at their highest level,” said Tara Adams, parental involvement and communications coordinator at Lakeside. “With so many opportunities in academics, athletics, activities, and clubs, there is a place for everyone.

Founded in 1928, the Lakeside School District is kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is located within the city limits of Hot Springs and serves an area of 62 square miles in the city and surrounding area.

In addition to earning a high school diploma, students also have the option to graduate with a full Associate Degree through National Park College without leaving campus. During the 2016-2017 school year Lakeside received full accreditation to be a satellite campus of the college.

Nearly 3,500 students are enrolled in the district for the 2017-2018 school year. Lakeside High School graduated 214 students in 2016, and has a graduation rate of 91.83 percent.

Mountain Pine School District

A small but mighty district, Mountain Pine School District prides itself on the close relationship fostered among teachers, families, and students. With a lower teacher to student ratio, students at Mountain Pine School District receive closer attention for better learning.

“Our small size allows each child to participate and ‘Shine!’ in many activities,” said Dana Janush, director of federal programs/curriculum at Mountain Pine.

Mountain Pine School District is nestled in the Ouachita Mountains.
“We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty on and around our campus,” Janush said.

Students have a wide variety of extra-curricular activities to participate in which include EAST, Environmental Science Greenhouse, FBLA, FCCLA, FCA, Yearbook, Beta Club, Art, Band, Choir, General Music, National Honors Society, Student Council and Gifted and Talented.