One of the six original magnet schools

Parkview is Arkansas' first and only complete interdistrict magnet high school. It was created as part of the desegregation settlement as a way to attract students to the area to better racially balance the school. One hundred percent of the students assigned to Parkview will be assigned to a magnet area in science, choral music, orchestra, band, visual arts, drama, or dance. Students in their chosen magnet area must take two classes in that area each year in addition to the regular curriculum outlined by the state department of education.

Honors

Until Parkview was declared unified by the courts, it attracted outstanding students from all three school districts. It continues to accept students from outside of the district, but no longer provides transportation. One of the attractions of this high school is its enthusiastic, involved, experienced faculty, a very active and involved PTSA, and a strong administration. It has been voted the number one high school in Pulaski County by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; rated in the top one percent of national magnet programs and named Magnet School of Distinction by the Magnet Schools of Merit Committee; it received the National Magnet School of Merit Award as conferred by the Magnet Schools of America; nominated as one of America's Best Schools in a program sponsored by Redbook; named as one of the Best High School in the state by the readers of the Arkansas Times, and selected as a Blue Ribbon School for excellence and equity in education for all students.

Furthering communication with parents

Parkview added a Parent Center in its media center with a computer which parents can use to apply for scholarships online. Since 2005, the district added ParentLink, now blackboard to broadcast information to parents and students in seconds. This year, Parkview continued to advance using social media to keep its students and parents informed about school news, and establish meaningful two way communication between students, parents and staff. The students at Parkview embrace diversity - and its intimate, family like atomosphere and open communication policy add to the safety of the school.

Although the academic programs are rigorous in nature, the staff understands the development of teenagers, and offers students an hour-long lunch each day where they visit with friends, study, do research in the media center, or just get a break before their afternoon classes. Students report that they enjoy the extended lunch period, which gives them a much needed break between their morning and afternoon classes.