- Rockefeller Early Childhood Magnet Elementary School
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 proposedInterstate 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 theKramer School on Sherman Street (built in 1895). The Kramer School had gained national attention as the site of theCenter for Early Development and Education established by Dr.Bettye Caldwell , Professor of Education at theUniversity of Arkansas atLittle 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 separateplayground 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 theMilken 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 aroundArkansas and as far away asNew York andHawaii . 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.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.