The calendar may say mid July but for some students that means the first day of school and a first in Little Rock, the only all boys public school in Pulaski County.
"Boys have a particular learning style that is not always addressed by co-ed schools," principal Darryl Powell says.
Little Rock Urban Collegiate Public Charter plans to change that.
"Any male student that wants to come in here and learn Latin, learn Chinese, learn Arabic, learn about engineering, get courses in ethics and etiquette, we're looking for anyone," Powell says.
Principal Darryl Powell says K-6 is just about full but there are openings in 7th and 8th grade with a targeted capacity of just under 600 students.
UCPC kicks off in what used to be Lutheran High School on West Markham.
There are still some final touches to do on day one but Powell says the students, many recruited from lower income neighborhoods in southwest Little Rock, are ready to learn 8AM to 4PM, 11 months a year.
"We think that's going to be very beneficial as these students progress through their school years," Powell says.
School uniforms are also part of the day, too. The boys will typically have on a tie and jacket, but on hot summer days short-sleeve polo shirts are acceptable.
Expectations will be high, so will the scrutiny to see if the all-boys charter can thrive in Little Rock.
Powell says success will be defined by more than test scores. He says just getting it open on the first day and overcoming doubters shows the young campus is already successful.
The Little Rock School District hasn't been shy about opposing the creation of more open enrollment charter schools, but UCPC says it's not trying to compete with LRSD.
For more on the all-boys-charter, including enrollment opportunities,
click here.
