The South Conway County School District is proud to announce that the Morrilton Primary School ABC Program has been recognized as one of the highest-quality early childhood education programs in Arkansas by the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas.
As part of OEP's inaugural Early Childhood Education Quality Awards, Morrilton Primary ABC received both the OEP Statewide ECE Quality Award and the OEP Regional ECE Quality Award. These awards are based on CLASS observations that measure the quality of teacher-child interactions and learning environments.
According to the OEP report, Morrilton Primary ABC earned an overall CLASS score of 6.47, ranking:
#2 Pre-K Program in Arkansas
#1 Pre-K Program in the Northwest Region of Arkansas
The recognition places Morrilton Primary ABC among the very best early childhood education programs in the state and highlights the exceptional work taking place with the district's youngest learners.
"This recognition is a reflection of the incredible commitment our teachers and staff demonstrate every day," said Brenda Benson, Director of Morrilton Primary ABC. "Our team works tirelessly to create classrooms where children feel loved, supported, challenged, and inspired to learn. We believe the early years matter, and this honor affirms the outstanding work happening in our program. I am incredibly proud of our staff and grateful for the support of our families and district leadership."
Sharon Wilson, Principal of Morrilton Primary School, praised the collaborative effort behind the achievement.
"This award represents far more than a ranking," Wilson said. "It reflects the relationships our educators build with children, the high expectations they hold, and the caring environment they create every day. We are committed to ensuring every child receives an exceptional start to their educational journey, and it is exciting to see that work recognized at the state level."
Superintendent Shawn Halbrook said the recognition aligns directly with the district's purpose and mission.
"Being recognized as the number two Pre-K program in Arkansas and the top program in our region is an extraordinary accomplishment," Halbrook said. "This honor belongs to our teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, support staff, and families who work together to serve children each day. We are committed to maximizing the safety, learning, and achievement of every child, and this recognition demonstrates that our youngest learners are receiving an outstanding foundation for future success."
The OEP awards recognize programs that demonstrate excellence in creating high-quality learning environments and meaningful teacher-child interactions. The rankings are based on multiple CLASS observations conducted during the 2025-2026 school year.
The South Conway County School District congratulates the Morrilton Primary ABC team on this remarkable achievement and thanks them for their unwavering commitment to children and families.