Stephens Elementary (Stephens) is in the Little Rock School District and is located near the city’s 12th Street Corridor. Stephens has an enrollment of 341 students in grades Pre-K through 5, with an average class size of 19 students. During the 2015-2016 school year, 32.6 percent of Stephens’ students were either overweight or obese, less than the district rate of 38.9 percent and the statewide rate of 38.7 percent. Ninety-six percent of Stephens’ students receive a free or reduced rate lunch, which is an indicator of low income status. This compares with a 74.9 percent free/reduced lunch rate for the district and a 61 percent rate statewide.
In 2016, Stephens received a JUA grant from the Arkansas Department of Education to build an outdoor gym to promote fitness and healthy living for students, parents, and the community. The Stephens Elementary JUA is a partnership with the Stephens Community Center and Little Rock Parks and Recreation. The school is adjacent to the community center. The JUA will facilitate a connection between the school and community through physical activity. The handicap accessible outdoor equipment will be available for students, parents and community members before, during and after school hours.
