Students in three Pulaski County public school districts are now eligible to apply for the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy, a program aimed at preparing students for success in high school and college.

The academy is open to African American students and others who are at-risk of academic failures due to socioeconomic disadvantage, or other factors. The Donaldson Academy was established through funding from the Pulaski County Special School District’s $10 million desegregation settlement and was launched in the summer of 2014.

Thanks to a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education, students in the Little Rock School District and the North Little Rock School District can now take part in the academy.

The academy prepares students for higher education through ACT and college preparatory instruction, mentoring, and other skill-building activities.

When the program was launched, 58 high school graduates improved their college entrance test scores, and by completion of the program, all 58 students reported they planned to attend college at UALR or another school.

“The growth of the program has been phenomenal, but the most rewarding aspect is that there is room for individual and shared triumphs. The students prosper while urging each other on to success,” said Amber Smith, Donaldson Academy director.

The Donaldson Academy, named for Dr. Charles W. Donaldson, vice chancellor emeritus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Division of Educational, Student Services, and Student Life, is a collaborative effort between UALR and Philander Smith College, in cooperation with the Pulaski County Special School District.