Hot Springs School District Responds to State Letter Grade Release
Dear Trojan Families,
We wanted to share this news with you.
Hot Springs School District Responds to State Letter Grade Release
Hot Springs, AR (Friday, September 19, 2025) – Based on the recently released school letter grades, the Hot Springs School District is encouraged by evidence that targeted interventions are driving progress in key areas, while also recognizing opportunities to strengthen instruction and equity across schools. Oaklawn STEM Magnet School and Hot Springs World Class High School are demonstrating strong growth trends, underscoring that focused strategies are producing results.
Oaklawn STEM had the highest accumulated points in the district over all three areas of achievement, growth, and growth of the bottom 25%. The High School was the only school in the district to show a positive gain in total points. Growth improved substantially (176.05 vs. 166.98), showing strong year-to-year progress. Park Magnet remains the highest-achieving elementary school in the district, significantly above the state average.
At the same time, the HSSD is committed to addressing equity concerns reflected in growth declines among the lowest 25% of students at several campuses, including Langston Elementary Leadership Academy, Park Magnet, Main Street Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School, and Hot Springs Junior Academy. The district is prioritizing improvements in Tier 1 instruction to raise achievement levels closer to and above state averages. These patterns affirm both the progress being made and the clear direction for continued improvement.
Current grades for HSSD schools are as follows:
Langston Elementary Leadership Academy, D (previous grade - F)
Main Street Visual & Performing Arts Magnet, D (previous grade - D)
Park Magnet School, B (pending appeal of C) (previous grade - B)
Oaklawn STEM Magnet, B (previous grade - D)
Hot Springs Junior Academy, C (previous grade - D)
Hot Springs World Class High School, C (previous grade -D)
Superintendent Dr. Mike Hernandez emphasized that while these ratings are one important measure, they do not tell the whole story. “While letter grades provide one snapshot, they do not capture the full picture of student growth, achievement, and readiness. We are proud of the progress our Trojan scholars are making every day,” he said.
Park Magnet School’s rating is currently listed as a “C.” Pursuant to HB 1598 of the 2025 legislative session, ADE established an appeals process for this year only. Districts may appeal if the most recent grade from 2023 was higher than the 2025 grade. Since Park Magnet earned a B in 2023, HSSD has filed an appeal for review and will be a B.
The most recent official letter grades were released in the fall of 2023, based on performance from the 2022–2023 academic year. In Spring 2024, the state provided districts with simulated letter grades to help schools prepare for the transition to a new accountability model. Most recently, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) has released the official 2024–2025 grades today based on a revised accountability system designed to provide families with more clarity and detail. The new framework will continue to use letter grades (A–F) but places a greater emphasis on student growth over time, highlights equity by focusing on the progress of all students, and includes readiness indicators that show preparation for future success.
The HSSD is dedicated to providing families with clear, family-friendly explanations of school performance. It encourages parents and guardians to connect directly with principals and teachers, and to continue working alongside the district in supporting every student’s success.
“Letter grades matter,” Dr. Hernandez added, “but the true measure of our district is seen in the daily learning, growth, and accomplishments of our students. Together with our families and staff, we will continue to make every day count.”
Families can review an overview of the new system on the ADE website: ADE School Performance & Letter Grade System.
About the Hot Springs School District: Founded in 1881, the Hot Springs School District is a unified Trojan family of campuses spread across multiple historic school sites in the heart of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Our mission is to educate and empower students to graduate from high school college and/or career-ready, respect diversity, and be contributing members of a global society. The Hot Springs School District is Diverse. Dedicated. Unified. A Place for Everyone.
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