IOTA Community Schools Arkansas
Innovation. Opportunity. Transformation. Access.
A New Standard For 6-8 Education in Little Rock | We are enrolling Kindergarten & 6th grade for Fall 2027
IOTA News
OPENING FALL 2027
NOW ENROLLING Kindergarten and 6th graders, where curiosity grows, confidence builds, and ALL students are equipped to thrive!
Located on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Welcome to IOTA
IOTA Leadership Academy is a new K-8 public charter school opening on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Southwest Little Rock beginning with Kindergarten and 6th grade in FALL 2027. Our school is designed to create access to opportunity while supporting students for long-term success. ILA students will:
- Learn in a real-world environment shaped by research and innovation
- Have a mastery of core academic content driven by the Arkansas Academic Standards
- Develop leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills they can carry into high school, college, careers, and life
- Flourish with educational plans that eliminate barriers and prioritize student well-being
- Explore STEM through hands-on learning, problem-solving, and real-world experiences
- Grow in a culture of continuous advancement
Meet Our Principal:
DarShauna Shepherd serves as the Founding Principal of IOTA Leadership Academy in Arkansas. With over a decade in education, she has served students across both middle and high school settings in roles including science teacher, EAST Facilitator, cheer and robotics coach, student council sponsor, and school principal, building a reputation for strong school culture, student-centered leadership, and academic growth.
A proud alumna of Drew Central High School, Shepherd most recently led Drew Central High School through significant improvement, helping increase the school’s accountability rating from a C to a B in her first year as principal and to an A in her second year. This growth was driven by data-informed instruction, high expectations, a strong school culture, and a relentless focus on student success. She also helped expand collegiate and career-connected opportunities for students through partnerships supporting concurrent credit and collegiate academy experiences.
At IOTA Leadership Academy, Shepherd is passionate about building a transformative school culture where students always come first, relationships are valued, excellence is expected, and leadership is developed in every student. Her vision is to build an environment where students are challenged academically, empowered to use their voice, and equipped with confidence, character, and critical thinking skills needed to make an impact in their communities and future careers.
As Founding Principal, Shepherd looks forward to partnering with families and the community to establish a leadership academy where students are empowered to dream bigger, lead boldly, and recognize that their future has no limits.
The IOTA Family of Schools
Grades 6-8
Middle school at ILA is where academic focus meets purpose. Students strengthen core skills in reading,
writing, math, and STEM while developing leadership, accountability, and determination. With
individualized support and early exposure to college and career pathways, students leave 8th grade
prepared for the next level — confident, capable, and ready to excel.
Kindergarten
A strong start matters. In Kindergarten at IOTA Leadership Academy, students build foundational literacy
and math skills in a nurturing, structured environment that balances joyful learning with high expectations.
Through hands-on exploration and strong relationships, our youngest learners develop confidence, curiosity,
and the habits that set them up for long-term success.
Important Dates
Join Our Team!
Be part of a mission-driven community committed to building brighter futures for our students and the communities we serve. Together, we can make a meaningful and lasting impact.