Little Rock, Arkansas – A major shift is on the horizon for eStem Public Charter Schools. In a move designed to reshape its footprint and respond to changing educational needs, the district announced Friday it will close its high school campus located on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) campus and reorganize several of its other facilities beginning this fall.
The decision marks a significant restructuring of the charter school system, which has been a major player in public education in central Arkansas for more than a decade. The plan is aimed at adapting to changes in enrollment and efficiently using district resources.
“This restructuring plan aims to right-size our district while remaining committed to our current eStem students and families,” said Nick Patterson, CEO of eStem Public Charter Schools. “These adjustments allow us to ensure that we invest our resources in our students and your children.”
The changes come as eStem has seen a notable decline in student enrollment over recent years. Back in the 2020-21 school year, the district had more than 3,100 students. That number has dropped to just over 2,300 for the 2024-25 academic year—a trend officials attribute in part to shifts in education following the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual learning and homeschooling have grown in popularity, creating new challenges for traditional and charter schools alike.
As part of the restructuring, eStem will consolidate two elementary schools—Downtown Elementary and East Village Elementary—into a single school spread across two buildings in downtown Little Rock. Kindergarten through fourth grade will be housed in the old Gazette Building at 112 W. 3rd Street, while fifth and sixth graders will attend classes across the street in the former Federal Reserve Building.
Meanwhile, eStem’s junior high will get a new name and a new home. The current Downtown Junior High at 123 W. 3rd Street will be renamed simply eStem Junior High School and move to 400 Shall Avenue, in the East Village neighborhood. It will serve all seventh and eighth grade students.
Perhaps the most significant move is the closure of the high school located on the UA Little Rock campus at 2801 S. University Ave. That building will no longer be used by eStem. The high school will relocate to 410 Shall Avenue, joining the junior high in East Village. The new location will house students in grades 9 through 12.
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With these changes, the district will now operate two main campuses—an elementary campus centered on West 3rd Street and a secondary campus in East Village. The proximity of these facilities was a key part of the restructuring plan. According to school officials, all campuses will be located within a one-mile radius, which will simplify transportation and increase accessibility for students.
“All eStem Schools will be within a mile of the River Cities Travel Center, allowing Rock Region Metro service from across the city,” the district stated.
While the changes will significantly alter the structure of the district, officials stress that the decision was made with the best interests of students and families in mind. The district says consolidating campuses will help better allocate resources and provide stronger support for academic programs.
Meanwhile, UA Little Rock is considering how it will repurpose the building soon to be vacated by eStem High School. “The university is exploring its opportunities with the soon to be vacant building,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for UA Little Rock.
eStem’s leadership acknowledges that the education landscape has changed dramatically in recent years and that adapting is necessary to continue offering high-quality, accessible public education.
Families looking for more information about the transition and new campus locations can visit eStemSchools.org for updates and resources.
As the district prepares to make these changes in the coming months, it remains focused on its core mission—serving the educational needs of students while adjusting to a rapidly evolving environment.
