LR Southwest Magnet

Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School

“Inspiring scholars to change the world through community”

School Information

Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School is located on 55 acres in Southwest Little Rock, and is the new flagship high school for the state’s capitol city. Our scholars will have access to a wide variety of challenging classes and pathways.  We prepare scholars for the global stage through project-based learning and interdisciplinary teaching models.

Scholars begin in the Freshman Academy, during their ninth grade year, which provides a small supportive environment as students learn what it takes to be successful in high school. From there, students choose a pathway in one of the three Career Academies.

Little Rock Southwest is home to a student-run First National Bank branch, open to students, faculty and staff for daily banking. All students also have the opportunity to open a savings account.

In addition to a rigorous and expansive curriculum, including Advanced Placement courses and blended learning opportunities throughout the school, LRSW also offers scholars the opportunity to participate in multiple clubs, sports teams, music programs and more.

We help all of our scholars make the most of their high school education, and we work closely with business and community partners to provide hands-on experiences and training. Each academy’s advisory board welcomes parent’s input and involvement in their children’s education. We believe in cultivating meaningful relationships to help our scholars succeed.

School Academies

Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School will offer a path for scholars interested in studying a specific career magnet area while in high school. LRSW will have Freshman Academy and three career magnet academies: The Academy of Aerospace & Medical Sciences, The Academy of Business & Computer Science and the Academy of Leadership & Public Service. The Academies empower scholars through career exposure which allows them an opportunity to take courses that introduce them to the essential knowledge and skills related to a particular career.  General education content is taught through the lens of their academy while business and community partners provide authentic experiential learning opportunities at various levels. Each pathway will lead to industry certification and/or college concurrent credit with Advance Placement (AP) scores and provide rich real-world 21^st Century learning experiences, which support industry needs.

Academy of Aerospace & Medical Sciences

The Academy of Aerospace & Medical Science will feature pathways in Aerospace & Drone Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Health and Nutrition and Sports Medicine. This academy is designed for scholar’s who have an interest in exploring opportunities to develop highly transferable skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, which are relevant for numerous careers.    

Academy of Aerospace & Medical Science Pathways

Aerospace & Drone Engineering - This course is designed to help scholars understand the field of engineering and drone technology. Scholars will develop engineering problem solving skills, explore foundational overview of the basics of drones, and explore various engineering systems and drone-related career and entrepreneurial opportunities. Scholars will receive a basic overview of drones, how they function and fly, while also learning to fly effectively without GPS, and discuss how drones are currently being deployed for commercial and public safety use.

Biomedical Sciences –  Scholars are empowered to explore and find solutions to some of today’s most pressing medical challenges. Through activities that connect learning to life, students step into the roles of biomedical science professionals and investigate topics including human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Scholars work together in teams to find unique solutions, and in the process, learn in-demand, transferable skills like critical thinking and communication. This course is designed to allow scholars take on real-world medical and science challenges while working with the same tools used by professionals in hospitals and labs, students engage in hands-on activities and work together to find solutions to problems.

Health & Nutrition –  Scholars will explore nutritive processes, nutritional needs for various stages of the life cycle, therapeutic diets, dietary modifications, and timely nutrition-related issues. Students use critical thinking skills to investigate scientific, consumer oriented, and global aspects of nutrition, as well as programs, policies, and institutions that influence nutrition services.   

Sports Medicine – This course is appropriate for scholars who wish to pursue a career in healthcare with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, injury assessment, injury prevention, or rehabilitation including careers in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Services. This course will enable scholars to receive initial exposure to therapeutic services skills and attitudes applicable to the healthcare industry.

Academy of Business & Computer Science

The Academy of Business & Computer Science will feature pathways in Banking, Business Marketing & Design, Mobile Application Development and Drafting & Robotics. This academy is designed for scholars who have an interest in expanding their understanding and skills related to the business industry.

Academy of Business & Computer Science Pathways

Banking- This course is designed to educate scholars with real-world banking and financial situations through a partnership with a local financial institution. Completion of this course provides scholars with a foundation for continued education in finance and business administration, provides an introduction to the role of money, financial market, financial literacy and monetary policy in the economy.

Business Marketing & Design –Scholars will explore various forms of ownership, internal organization, management functions, digital marketing, graphic design, aspects of marketing and managing a small business enterprise, risk management, the use of technology, legal, ethical, and social obligation of businesses, saving and investing, taxes and financing as it relates to business. Scholars can also participate in youth apprenticeship which is a paid work experience designed to assist students in grades 11-12 in their specific career pathways.

Mobile Application Development – Scholars will design and build applications and will use the latest tools and technologies available for mobile app development. Scholars will learn to code and design fully functional apps, gaining critical job skills in software development and information technology.

Drafting & Robotics - The Architecture and Construction Cluster encompasses designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining physical structures and the larger built environment, including roadways and bridges and industrial, commercial, and residential facilities and buildings. Robotics enables scholars to identify and investigate different types of robotics systems. Scholars engage in designing and analyzing robotics systems to identify and investigate problems in real-world scenarios, and devise solutions using various robotics systems.

Academy of Leadership & Public Service

The Academy of Leadership & Public Service will feature pathways in Human & Social Services, Law and Leadership, and Pre-Education. This academy is designed for scholars interested in various law and legal services, human relationships and the educational field of study.     

Academy of Leadership & Public Service Pathways

Human & Social Services The course includes the importance of mental wellness, positive coping techniques, and awareness of treatment options of mental illnesses. This course a provides a foundation for all career areas that involve interacting with families, mental health and wellness, treatment team members, clients, patients, customers, and the public. Concentration areas include family and social services, youth development, and adult and elder care. Ethical, legal, and safety issues, as well as helping processes and collaborative ways of working with others, will be addressed.

Law & Leadership- Leadership and Service Learning emphasize the importance of leadership skills, volunteerism and professionalism in the development of personal qualities. This course focuses on various types of attorney’s and legal services, the benefits of community service, leadership roles and civic responsibilities. Scholars are encouraged to explore areas of critical and creative thinking, responsibility, and cultural awareness as they relate to character development.

Pre-Educator – This course is designed to provide scholars with information and experiences in the field of education. Scholars will plan and direct individualized instruction and group activities, prepare instructional materials, assist with record keeping, make physical arrangements, and experience other responsibilities of classroom teachers. Scholars are involved in observations as well as direct instruction; placement rotations are utilized to allow scholars to have experiences in various education career roles, grade levels, subject areas, and ability groups.

Quantas Floyd - Executive Principal

Greetings from Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School. Welcome to the home of the Gryphons!

It is an honor and privilege to be the principal of such an amazing state-of-the-art high school.  Little Rock Southwest is the district’s first high school to be built in over 50 years, and will be the new flagship high school for the State’s capitol city.

Our passion is reflected in our efforts to provide a rigorous, engaging, challenging and rewarding educational experience for our scholars.   We are committed to a culture that supports our scholars emotional, intellectual, social and physical needs.

LRSW encompasses a school culture that is committed to our college and career focus, which can only be accomplished through active and meaningful partnerships with our scholars, families, business industry and community members.

It is my extreme pleasure to work with a committed team of faculty, families and community friends. Together, we will prepare a new generation of scholars who will graduate from LRSW ready for both college and careers and prepared to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.

Academy Principals

Marie Boone- Principal

Academy of Business and Computer Science

Willie Vinson –Principal

Operational Principal

April Rike -Principal

Academy of Leadership and Public Service

Ivey Kelly- Principal

Freshman Academy

Regina Ezell – Principal 

Academy of Aerospace and Medical Sciences

Antony Hobbs –Principal

Athletic Director

Amy Howard and Angela Howard- Deans of Students

Discipline and Tardies

Academies of Central Arkansas

Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School

School Information

Phone

501.447.9100

Fax

501.447.9101

Website

https://www.lrsd.org/Southwest

Office Hours

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Address

9715 Mabelvale Pike

Mabelvale, AR 72103

Unique Offerings

Sports Medicine

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)-Biomedical Science

Drone Technology

Legal Services

Banking

In-House Mental Health Services

Feeder Schools

Cloverdale Middle School

Henderson Middle School

Mabelvale Middle School

Leadership

Quantas Floyd

Executive Principal

quatnas.floyd@lrsd.org        

501.447.9100

History

Year Founded

2020

Current Students

1863

Class Offerings

• Accounting/Banking
• A/V Tech, Advertising, & Graphic Design
• Computer Science & Mobile App Development
• Medical Office Administration
• Business Marketing
• Drafting & Design
• Drone Technology
• PLTW Engineering/Robotics
• PLTW Biomedical Science
• Sports Medicine
• Teaching & Childcare Guidance and Management
• Nutrition & Food Sciences
• Human & Social Services
• Legal Services
• Jobs for Arkansas Graduates (JAG)
• Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST)
• Art
• Band
• Choir
• Debate
• Foreign Language
• Journalism
• Theatre

Academics & Support

Afterschool Program

Little Rock Southwest has over 20 clubs that are headed by our amazing staff that range from Poetry, to the Gentlemen’s Club, Quiz Bowl, Robotics, Chess, and so much more. We also have an afterschool program through 21^st Century grant for our student’s to stay engaged and connected to learning opportunities outside our regular school times.

Talented & Gifted

Little Rock Southwest’s Gifted and Talented (GT) Program provides an educational environment for identified GT scholars that allows them to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally.   

We accept all types of gifted scholars from all cultures and economic backgrounds, regardless of race, sex, or creed, who have demonstrated a need for specialized services, and will be offered a qualitatively differentiated curriculum.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Little Rock Southwest’s ESOL program is a research-based alternative language learning model that supports the affective, linguistic and cognitive needs of students with limited English proficiency. Our goal is to afford equal access to the scholar’s educational pursuits. We offer ESOL classes as a means of preparing and transitioning scholars in an educational setting for high school and careers.

Emotional Intelligence

Little Rock Southwest is equipped with Mental Health Agencies such as The PAT Center, Life Strategies, and The Point and we have two Full-Time Social workers who work with our scholars and families. We also have a School-Based Intervention Team (SBIT) and are developing a Multi-Tier System of Support (MTSS) to provide intervention support services.