Mission
The Anthony School educates children PreK3 through 8th grade in a challenging and nurturing environment, engages them through an advanced curriculum, and empowers them to become independent and excited students.
Founded
The Anthony School was founded in 1944 by Allen and Jeanne Anthony with just one Kindergarten class. The Anthony School is a non-profit organization which does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, ethnic origin, gender, disability, or any other consideration unrelated to education.
General Curriculum
The Anthony School's curriculum is academically accelerated in all grade levels. We balance accelerated curriculum with age-appropriate expectations.
Early Childhood Curriculum
The curriculum focuses on interactive, hands-on, child-centered learning by providing time in centers, free choice, and themed instruction. Individualized and small group instruction encourages learning based on each child’s specific learning style and needs. Cross-curricular instruction in Spanish, Early Childhood Engineering, Art, Music, Library, PE, and roller-skating round out the program. Skating during PE continues an Anthony School tradition. Skating helps improve balance and coordination, which helps to strengthen the left and right sides of the cerebellum.
Jeanne Anthony’s handwriting program begins in PreK3 focusing on fine motor control and strokes, and eventually leads into cursive (2nd grade).
Elementary and Middle School Curriculum
The curriculum emphasizes research and writing skills, critical thinking, and the application of knowledge to solve problems across subject areas. Our textbooks are chosen to fit our curriculum, rather than setting curriculum based on textbooks.
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math. The framework is engaging and hands-on. Students learn to investigate, organize, gather facts and clues, hypothesize, solve problems, design, build and create.
Faculty
Dedicated, experienced faculty members hold advanced degrees and specialty certifications. More than 70% of the faculty and staff have been teaching at The Anthony School longer than 5 years.
Foreign Language
Spanish (PreK3-6th Grade, Elective for 7th and 8th Grade)
One Semester of Spanish and One Semester of French (6th Grade)
French (Elective for 7th and 8th Grade)
8th Grade Spanish and French students participate in the National Foreign Language Exam each spring. With these exams, many of our students are able to be placed in upper level foreign language at the high school of their choice.
Fine Arts/Enrichment Subjects
Music, Art, Art Appreciation, Art Club, Drama/Speech, PE, and a STEAM Program are taught in PreK3 through 8th grade classes. Violin is included in the curriculum for first and second grade students and may be continued through 8th grade if desired.
The Performing Arts is a significant aspect of Anthony’s Fine Arts program. Each grade is involved in a yearly drama production, ranging in genres from Reader’s Theater to Disney musicals. Our middle school production includes 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who not only perform in the fall musical, but also work backstage to handle all technical aspects of the theater, including lights and sound.
In January, members of the Middle School cast attend the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta where the students attend acting, choreography, and singing workshops, perform in front of Broadway professionals. The Anthony School has received national Awards for choreography, dance, acting, and ensemble work.
The Anthony School is privileged to have an art partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and its educational outreach program. Our school received four sets of ten reproductions of original pieces of art which are used to inspire student learning. In addition, our 5th grade students enjoy a field trip to Crystal Bridges where they examine and discuss original art pieces with a docent, explore the grounds and outdoor sculptures, and appreciate all the unique educational experiences Crystal Bridges has to offer.
School Garden/Outdoor Classroom
We have a school garden on our campus, and it is used as an outdoor classroom. Our Kindergarten and 6th grade students participate in a program called KinderGardeners. 6th graders are paired with a kindergarten student for various activities in the garden. Other grades also work on various projects in the garden to apply what they are learning in the classroom.
Achievement Test
A national achievement test is administered each April to students in first through eighth grades. Many 4th/5th/6th and 7th grade students are eligible to participate in the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP). Duke’s program identifies academically gifted students who score in the 95th percentile (or above) on the national test.
Parent Organization
The organization goes by the moniker, “ParentCrew.” ParentCrew operates by a Board of 16 parents and various committee leaders. All parents, grandparents, and faculty are automatically members of ParentCrew. ParentCrew hosts fundraisers, community events, and teacher appreciation events throughout the year. We value their support of the school, teachers, and administration.
Athletics
Boys and girls basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, cross country, track, and cheerleading are included in the athletic program. PE is included in the curriculum for PreK3-8th Grade. Our mascot is the Panther, and school colors are red, black and white. Spirit Week activities are held in the spring semester each year.
STEAMapalooza
STEAMapalooza is held each April and is an innovative and fun event for our students. This event brings together over 40 central Arkansas community members and professionals who demonstrate and engage students in their expert areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Technology/Hardware
The Anthony School launched a highly successful One-to-One Laptop Program for the sixth grade in 2012. Since then we have expanded the One-to-One Program to encompass all Middle School students. Laptop and iPad carts are also available to elementary students. Interactive Whiteboards are located throughout the building. Middle School classrooms have state of-the-art hybrid dry erase wall coverings that double as the Interactive Whiteboard’s projection surface.
Technology/Software
Students are exposed to a wide range of applications such as:
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Google Classroom
• iLife (iMovie, Garageband)
• iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
• Prezi, Wix, Weebly, other Web 2.0 tools
• Graphic software (The Printshop, Comic Life)
Leadership
Leadership skills are developed through the following activities: Athletics, Student Government, Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, National Junior Honor Society, Science Fair Projects, Ambassador Program, Cheerleading, and Theatrical Productions and Programs.
Community Projects
We live our value of “Community” through various community service projects held throughout the year. Students of all ages can learn to give back to our community through: annual Turkey Trot fundraiser (to benefit Potluck Rescue), field trips to the Arkansas Food Bank, singing and delivering handmade cards at a local nursing home, playing games and working puzzles with a local nursing home (monthly), and more. Our faculty and staff even find a few community projects in which they can be involved.
Nurse
We have a nurse on staff from 9am-2pm each day.
Accreditations
ANSAA (Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association)
Member of AAA (Arkansas Activities Association)
High Schools our Graduates Typically Attend
Mount Saint Mary Academy
Catholic High School
Little Rock Central High School
Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School
Episcopal Collegiate School
Pulaski Academy
Little Rock Christian Academy