About Fort Smith Public Schools
Who We Are.
The Fort Smith Public School district is a destination district built on relationships, collaboration, and a culture of excellence. With over 2,000 employees, FSPS is one of the largest employers in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Our qualified educators provide early childhood, elementary, and secondary education to almost 14,000 students.
At Fort Smith Public Schools, we believe that everyone can “Believe, Belong, and Become.”
Fort Smith Public Schools is not just a place of learning, but a place where personal growth and career development are nurtured. We maintain 27 campuses consisting of two high schools (9th-12th grades), four middle schools (6th-8th grades), 18 elementary schools (PreK-5th grades), an alternative education center, and an adult education center. Our campus family includes the Peak Innovation Center (PEAK), a premier, multi-million dollar facility designed specifically for career-focused programming. FSPS students receive cutting-edge career programming with direct connections to career opportunities at no cost, inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Mission
Equip all students with the skills to be productive members of society.
Vision
We are a destination district built on relationships, collaboration, and a culture of excellence.
Values
Continuous Improvement Plan
On January 23, 2023, The FSPS Board of Education adopted the district's Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), a strategic framework designed to enhance educational outcomes and organizational efficiency. Developed with input from staff and the public in the Fall of 2022, the CIP updates the district’s motto, mission, values, and outlines four strategic goals to be implemented over the next year:
- Literacy Mastery: Ensure students master grade-level reading targets by the beginning of third grade and continue to meet or exceed these targets throughout their school career.
- Math Proficiency: Ensure students perform at or above grade level in math.
- Safe and Welcoming Environments: Foster safe, welcoming schools and administrative buildings where authentic, productive relationships are valued.
- Relevant and Flexible Secondary Education: Guarantee relevant classes for every secondary student while maximizing student choice.
The CIP will be implemented in conjunction with the district’s curriculum audit, aiming to improve daily organizational processes, policies, and practices systematically. This plan replaces the Vision 2023 initiative, which concluded in December 2022, and shifts focus from facility and technological enhancements to internal process improvements and academic success.
Superintendent, Dr. Terry Morawski, emphasized the importance of this new direction, stating,"Recent scorecards reminded us that we needed a systematic, strategic approach thatwe could revisit and measure against. We heard from staff that they were pleased withthis new direction. Together, we are eager to develop the CIP tactics that will help thedistrict reach the CIP goals and the key recommendations in the curriculum audit. Thenew plan emphasizes foundational skills of reading and math as well as maximizes studentchoice. The unveiling of the plan during National School Choice Week is timely becauseit helps us spotlight the reason FSPS should be the choice for all students in the region.”
Tracking Progress
To ensure that we are effectively tracking our progress and holding ourselves accountable, the district has introduced a comprehensive scorecard. This scorecard will provide transparent, measurable updates on our progress toward achieving the goals set out in the Continuous Improvement Plan. It will track key performance indicators and milestones, offering insights into our advancements and areas that may need further attention.