The Little Rock School Board discussed plans during its Thursday night meeting to restructure the Little Rock School District’s Alternative Learning Environment programs to better meet the needs of students requiring non-traditional education settings.

Superintendent Jermall Wright shared the proposed changes with the Board.

The current ALE program serves about 200 students through two components: the Accelerated Learning Center, which helps overaged and under-credited high school students graduate on time, and the Hamilton Learning Center, which provides intensive academic and behavioral support in a smaller environment.

The new plan, which should go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year, aims to expand and enhance these programs by creating four interconnected offerings. The first, an enhanced ALE program, will include more elective options, mental health and social-emotional learning support, transition coaching and opportunities for students to take classes at Metro and Adult Education.

The second, a new Intensive Support Environment (ISE), will cater to students with severe behavioral and academic needs, offering a lower student-to-teacher ratio, credit recovery or GED options, and increased mental health resources.

Other components involve expanding the Accelerated Learning Center (ACC) to serve students with at least six credits who are not on track to graduate, including English language learners while adding a middle school component for grades 7-8. The ACC, ALE and virtual learning programs will also be consolidated under one team to streamline support for in-person, hybrid, and virtual learners.

The restructuring would be implemented in phases, starting in spring 2025 with program revisions and audits, followed by the rollout of new initiatives through 2026, Wright said.

According to the administration, this plan aims to create more flexible, supportive, and efficient learning environments for students, helping them succeed academically and transition to post-secondary opportunities.

The board heard how the district is moving forward with transition plans for McDermott and Brady and the Washington/Carver merger.

In December 2024, the LRSD School Board voted to consolidate Carver and Washington Elementary Schools and to close Brady Elementary School, with most Brady students transitioning to McDermott Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year. Transition teams have been established for both changes, and they have been focusing on smooth transitions through joint events, communication with families and community engagement.

The consolidation of Carver and Washington, both under-enrolled schools, will bring students together on Washington’s campus, allowing the district to expand its STEAM Magnet curriculum while preserving Washington’s leadership programs and community school status.

Transition efforts so far have included multiple team meetings, joint events, and outreach through fliers, postcards, videos, and presentations at neighborhood association meetings. A dedicated webpage for the Carver-Washington STEAM Magnet Elementary has also been created to keep the community informed.

The transition process for Brady Elementary students moving to McDermott Elementary for the 2025-26 school year is also underway.

The transition team has been actively meeting and communicating to ensure a smooth transition for students, staff, and families. Brady staff have reached out to parents to inform them about new zone placements and encourage registration for the upcoming school year. McDermott staff have been planning events and including Brady students in their communications.