Originally a part of the Pulaski County Special School District, the original structure of Wakefield Elementary was built in 1959 with additions in 1961, 1966, 1975 and 1979. The LRSD annexed the school in 1987. At its peak, Wakefield's enrollment was more than 820 (1970). Wakefield is named for the neighborhood in which it is located.

The school accidentally was destroyed by fire during renovations in 2002, and students and faculty temporarily were relocated to the empty Badgett Elementary building. Wakefield was rebuilt, and the school reopened in 2004.

One unusual aspect of the new school is its fully functional dental clinic, run by ShareAmerica of Children International and substantially funded by United Way, that serves children in five LRSD elementary schools. It is one of the few school dental clinics in the nation.

Sources:

LRSD archives.If you have information about a Little Rock school or photographs that you would like to contribute to this project (we will return photographs if requested), please contact us!
Updated March 2005