Officials from the North Little Rock School District and the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College gathered Thursday (February 12) at North Little Rock High School to sign a partnership agreement that paves the way for students to earn college degrees before they graduate high school.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by NLRSD Superintendent Gregory Pilewski and UA-PTC Chancellor Summer DeProw, establishes the "Scholastic Institute," a program that allows eligible students in grades 10 through 12 at North Little Rock High School and the Center of Excellence to enroll in concurrent courses that fulfill general education requirements for an Associate of General Studies degree.
Students will be held to the same academic standards and rigor as traditional UA-PTC students. To qualify, students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA and meet specific ACT or Accuplacer score requirements.
"Our new partnership with UA-PTC is all about opening doors," said Dr. Gregory J. Pilewski, Superintendent of the North Little Rock School District. "We’re empowering our students to dive into college and career coursework early, building the 'future-ready' skills they need to succeed. By eliminating obstacles to enrollment, we're making sure nothing stands between our students and their goals."
The partnership leverages new state legislation to remove financial barriers for families. As provided by Act 340 of 2025, parents or guardians will not be charged for tuition, fees, or materials. Additionally, many students may qualify for the ACCESS to Acceleration (A2A) Scholarship, a program recently established by Act 341 of 2025. Funded by excess Arkansas Lottery proceeds, the A2A scholarship awards eligible students $65 per credit hour for up to 15 hours per semester, provided they maintain a 2.5 college GPA.
“North Little Rock School District and UA – Pulaski Tech are entering into a true win-win partnership with the Scholastic Institute,” said Chancellor DeProw. “By expanding access to higher education, we will offer high-achieving high school students an attainable pathway to achieve an associate degree alongside their high school diploma. Both the educational value and the cost savings for families are transformative.”
Graduates who earn their associate degree through this program may qualify for the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship. This opportunity allows them to transfer to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and pay the same affordable UA-PTC base tuition rate while earning their bachelor’s degree.
Through the Scholastic Institute, UA-PTC will provide on-site advising and enrollment assistance at least once per semester. Courses will be taught by NLRSD instructors who meet UA-PTC adjunct faculty qualifications and undergo yearly evaluations, as well as by UA-PTC faculty, both in person and online. The program will follow the UA-PTC academic calendar, ensuring students are immersed in the college experience.
The agreement is effective immediately and will undergo an annual review each June. Both institutions will conduct yearly evaluations to track student retention, attendance, and progress toward both high school and college credentials.
This article was produced through a collaborative effort between the North Little Rock School District and UA-Pulaski Tech.