Arkansas School for Mathematics , Sciences and the Arts

What Arkansas School for Mathematics , Sciences and the Arts does

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts (ASMSA) is a public, state-funded residential high school located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, serving approximately 260 academically and artistically motivated students in grades 9-12 from across the state. Established in 1991 by Act 305 of the Arkansas General Assembly and consolidated into the University of Arkansas System in 2004 under Act 1305, the institution operates one of only 17 public residential STEM schools in the United States, with a legislatively chartered arts mission. Students pursue a college-level curriculum through the Concurrent Core partnership with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, earning an average of nearly 50 college credit hours before graduation, and engage in Capstone research collaborations with institutions such as UAMS.

The core product is a tuition-free, two- or three-year residential learning experience supplemented by multiple specialized programs: HELIX Prep Academy (a feeder pipeline for low-to-middle income and rural students), ASMSA-TIP (talent identification for grades 6-9), Early Entrance and Super Junior pathways, Programs of Distinction in Visual Arts and Music, a Capstone research program, and the Global Learning study-abroad program. Beyond the residential campus, ASMSA reaches nearly 6,000 additional students, parents, and educators annually through distance education (Online Academy and the legislatively mandated Online Course Choice launching in 2026), Coding Arkansas' Future (which has trained 40% of Arkansas' licensed computer science teachers), Summer@ASMSA enrichment, MASH-ups outreach, and ASMSA-TIP.

ASMSA is entirely state-funded through Arkansas legislative appropriations routed via the University of Arkansas System, with only a nominal ~$350 annual per-student assessment covering residential activities, technology, and student government. It is not a commercial enterprise and has no private equity, venture funding, or revenue diversification. The institution is governed by the UA Board of Trustees with a Board of Visitors in an advisory role. The current leadership transition (Corey Alderdice departing after 13 years, Stuart Flynn serving as Interim Executive Director) and the multi-year 2033 Facilities Plan — including $42.5M+ in campus investments since 2008 and a $37.5M transformation underway — define the current strategic agenda.

Name

Arkansas School for Mathematics , Sciences and the Arts

Legal name

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts

Website

https://asmsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ASMSA is a state-funded, public residential high school in Hot Springs, Arkansas — one of only 17 such STEM-focused schools in the U.S. — serving ~260 grades 9-12 students tuition-free with college-level coursework and reaching another ~6,000 Arkansans annually through outreach and educator development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hot Springs Village

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: ASMSA is a state-funded public educational institution under the University of Arkansas System. The school receives funding from the State of Arkansas through legislative appropriations. Students do not pay tuition; instead, there is a nominal annual combined residential and concurrent credit assessment of approximately $350 to cover student activities, room, utilities, technology, and other services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ASMSA is a public residential high school for grades 10-12 (with Early Entrance for freshmen and Super Junior for juniors) offering a free, state-funded two- or three-year living-learning experience with college-level coursework. Students earn an average of nearly 50 college credit hours before graduation through the Concurrent Core partnership with University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, supported by specialized Programs of Distinction in visual arts and music, capstone research, global learning, and outreach programs reaching nearly 6,000 Arkansans annually.

Product overview

ASMSA is a public residential high school offering a comprehensive educational program for academically and artistically motivated students. The core offering includes residential education for grades 10-12 (with Early Entrance for 9th grade), where students earn an average of 50 college credit hours before graduation through the Concurrent Core partnership with University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. The institution operates specialized programs including the HELIX Prep Academy for underrepresented students, ASMSA-TIP for talent identification in grades 6-9, and the Super Junior two-year pathway. The school provides more than 60 university-level courses, programs of distinction in visual arts and music, capstone research opportunities, study abroad through the Global Learning Program, and distance education via the Online Academy. Beyond the residential experience serving approximately 260 students, ASMSA supports nearly 6,000 additional students, parents, and educators annually through outreach programs including Coding Arkansas' Future and Summer@ASMSA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HELIX Prep Academy HELIX (Helping Elevate Low-Income Students to Excellence) Prep Academy prepares low-to-middle income and rural students who experience opportunity gaps for the rigors of ASMSA's early college program through a three-year pathway.
• ASMSA-TIP (Talent Identification Program) Talent identification and development program for students in grades 6-9 across Arkansas, providing sustained enrichment programming, above-level testing, curated digital content, and guidance on nurturing academic strengths throughout the academic year.
• Early Entrance Program Accelerated three-year ASMSA experience for profoundly gifted high school freshmen who have completed Algebra I and preferably Geometry, with a minimum 24 ACT composite score and 3.75 unweighted GPA.
• Super Junior Program Two-year residential program for 11th-grade students that extends high school by one year, with students earning a minimum of 30 college credit hours (some 50-plus) before graduation.
• Concurrent Core Program Partnership with University of Arkansas at Fort Smith offering more than 60 university-level courses, enabling ASMSA students to earn an average of nearly 50 college credit hours before graduation through concurrent enrollment.
• Visual Arts and Design Program of Distinction Program of Distinction that integrates visual arts and design more profoundly into ASMSA's culture, enhancing the institution's comprehensive educational profile.
• Capstone Program Research program where students conduct original research projects, often in partnership with institutions like UAMS, preparing them for competitive collegiate programs and national science competitions.
• Coding Arkansas' Future ASMSA's signature educator development program assisting districts across Arkansas in meeting increased access to computer science coursework; 40% of all licensed computer science teachers in the state have received professional development from ASMSA through this program.
• Online Academy Digital education program extending ASMSA's reach statewide through hybrid and online learning opportunities, including the legislated Online Course Choice program for K-12 students throughout Arkansas.
• Global Learning Program Study abroad and international programs allowing students to travel to international destinations and explore other cultures as part of their ASMSA experience.
• Summer@ASMSA Out-of-school summer enrichment programs providing hands-on, minds-on learning experiences for prospective applicants and younger students, part of ASMSA's outreach serving more than 6,000 Arkansans annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• $24.5 million in college scholarships accumulated by 2024 graduating class
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• University of Arkansas SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003ASMSA became a campus of the University of Arkansas System effective January 1, 2004, under Act 1305 of 2003. Oversight authority transferred to the UA Board of Trustees. The school operates as a public residential high school within the university system.
• University of Arkansas at Fort SmithcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Concurrent Core program partnership offering 60+ university-level courses to ASMSA students. Students earn approximately 50 college credit hours before graduation through this partnership, which began through Act 1083 of 1999 and evolved as STEM Pathways initiative.
• National Consortium for Specialized Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS)coreOthersASMSA is a member of NCSSS, a coalition of nearly 100 of the nation's leading and emerging schools for science and math education. The consortium fosters, supports, and advances efforts of specialized schools preparing students for leadership in mathematics, science, and technology.
• Arts Schools NetworkcoreOthersASMSA is a core member of the Arts Schools Network, which inspires emerging and seasoned leaders in K-16 arts schools by providing quality resources, support, and networking opportunities to elevate institutions.
• UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaborations with UAMS positioned ASMSA students prominently in national science competitions. UAMS provides research partnerships and collaborations for ASMSA students through programs like the Coordinator for Scholar Development role.
• The Waters Hotel (Hot Springs)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement with The Waters hotel located across from historic Bathhouse Row in downtown Hot Springs. ASMSA families visiting campus receive a negotiated rate when making reservations and requesting the ASMSA rate.
• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hot SpringsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement with Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hot Springs at 4410 Higdon Ferry Rd offering ASMSA families a discounted rate of $79 per night using code 'LKAS'.
• Hot Springs High SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASMSA has a special relationship with Hot Springs High School allowing ASMSA students to play on their soccer, softball, football and other sports teams. Gymnastics and martial arts are also popular options.
• National Consortium of Secondary STEM SchoolscoreOthersASMSA is a core member of this coalition of nearly 100 leading schools for science and math education. Membership supports the school's goal to foster, support, and advance specialized STEM education efforts.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM): Public, residential STEM-focused high school in Hartsville, South Carolina; a direct peer to ASMSA in residential model, college-credit-bearing curriculum, and statewide recruitment from a single state.
• North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM): Public, residential STEM-focused high school in North Carolina; one of the original ~17 such schools in the U.S. and a direct structural analog to ASMSA with similar residential model, concurrent college credit, and statewide recruitment mandate.
• Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM): Public, residential STEM high school in Oklahoma City; one of the original specialized secondary STEM schools and a direct peer to ASMSA in mission, residential model, and statewide mandate.
• Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS): Public, residential STEM high school located on the Mississippi University for Women campus; direct structural peer to ASMSA in residential model, statewide recruitment, and concurrent college credit.
• Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities: Public, residential STEM and humanities-focused high school in Muncie, Indiana; a direct peer to ASMSA in residential model, advanced academic mission, and statewide gifted-student recruitment.
• Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA): Public residential STEM magnet school in Aurora, Illinois; one of the most prominent of the nation's specialized secondary STEM schools and a direct structural peer to ASMSA in residential model and advanced curriculum.
• Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing: Public, residential STEM early-college program at Northwest Missouri State University; direct peer to ASMSA in residential model, concurrent college credit focus, and statewide recruitment mandate.
• Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS): Public residential STEM early-college program at the University of North Texas; serves gifted Texas high school students in a residential setting and is a direct peer in mission and structure to ASMSA.
• Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA): Public, residential STEM and arts high school in Natchitoches, Louisiana; the closest arts-inclusive peer to ASMSA given both schools' explicit dual STEM + arts mission and residential structure.
• Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS): Public, residential STEM high school in Mobile, Alabama; closely mirrors ASMSA in serving a single state's gifted secondary population with a residential model, concurrent enrollment, and statewide recruitment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ARMathSciArts
• Xx.com/ARMathSciArts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Arkansas School for Mathematics , Sciences and the Arts