Pulaski Academy facts for kids

Pulaski Academy (often called PA) is a private school in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It helps students get ready for college. The school teaches kids from preschool all the way up to 12th grade. It is located in the Pleasant Valley area of Little Rock.

Pulaski Academy started in 1971. It is the only independent, non-religious, college-prep school in Arkansas.

History of Pulaski Academy

Pulaski Academy was founded in 1971. At that time, some schools were trying to mix students from different neighborhoods. A businessman named William F. Rector helped start Pulaski Academy. He wanted a private school for families who preferred a different kind of education.

In 2006, Pulaski Academy bought more land. This made their campus much larger, growing to about 32 acres.

Learning at Pulaski Academy

Pulaski Academy is officially recognized by several groups. These include the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). It is also approved by the Arkansas Non-public School Accrediting Association (ANSAA).

The school is part of important educational groups. These include the Cum Laude Society and the College Board. Being part of these groups shows the school's high standards.

In the 2008–2009 school year, many students achieved great things. Fifteen seniors were named National Merit Scholars. This means they were recognized for their excellent academic skills. The school had about 1,210 students from kindergarten to 12th grade. There was about one teacher for every nine students.

Sports and Activities

The school's sports teams are called the Pulaski Academy Bruins. Their mascot is a Bruin. The school colors are navy blue and Vegas gold.

The Bruins play in the 7A Central Conference. This conference is managed by the Arkansas Activities Association. Students can join many different sports teams. These include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, and football. They also have soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, golf, volleyball, lacrosse, and wrestling.

The school's football team has been very successful. They have won many state championships since 2003. A former coach, Kevin Kelley, was known for his unique strategies. He often chose not to punt the ball and liked to use onside kicks.

State Championship Wins

The Pulaski Academy Bruins have won many state championships. They have won 80 championships across different sports:

• Wrestling: 4 times (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Girls Tennis: 19 times (1980, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• Boys Tennis: 18 times (1987, 2002, 2003 (Fall), 2003 (Spring), 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)
• Baseball: 5 times (1993, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2013)
• Girls Soccer: 9 times (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2021, 2022, 2024)
• Boys Soccer: 3 times (2000, 2001, 2007)
• Girls Swimming: 2 times (2014, 2015)
• Football: 11 times (2003, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
• Boys Basketball: 2 times (2002, 2003)
• All Golf Team: 5 times (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006)
• Dance: 2 times (2020, 2021)

Famous People Who Went Here

Many successful people have graduated from Pulaski Academy. Here are a few:

• Ashlie Atkinson, an actress
• Ayana Gray, a novelist
• Dusty Hannahs, a basketball player
• Will Hastings, an American football wide receiver
• Hunter Henry, a tight end in the NFL
• John M. Jumper, an AI researcher and Nobel Prize winner
• Jason King, a former NFL offensive guard
• Amy Lee, the lead singer of the band Evanescence
• Jonathan Luigs, who played in the NFL
• David Venable, an intelligence officer and author