Friendship Aspire Academy Pine Bluff Elementary
Slow growth plan
The Pine Bluff campus opened in August 2018 with an enrollment of 160 students between Kindergarten and Grade One. The school is projected to grow by 80 students over the next five years to full enrollment in Grades K – 5.
Campus information
3911 South Hazel Street
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Grades: K-5
Phone: 870-395-7401
Fax: 870-395-7403
Email: cmims@friendshipusa.org
School Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Extended Day Options: 3:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Our mission
Preparing students with the academic and life skills needed to be successful in college and beyond.
The mission of Friendship Aspire Academy-Pine Bluff is to provide a world-class education that motivates students to achieve high academic standards, enjoy learning and develop as ethical, literate, well-rounded and self-sufficient citizens. Friendship Aspire Academy-Pine Bluff seeks to fulfill this mission by providing students a high quality, liberal arts education focused on preparing students with the academic and life skills needed to be successful in college and beyond.
Our school documentary
Energy. Excitement. Excellence.
This is Arkansas. This is Friendship. We pursue excellence so we can take students further!
Our principal
Carol Redfield-Mims
Dr. Carol D. Redfield-Mims, from Terry, Mississippi, is an educator, consultant, and advocate with a deep passion for educational equity. With over 15 years of experience in education, she has dedicated her career to helping students, teachers, and school districts bridge learning gaps and improve instructional practices.
Her journey in education began with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Reading Education from Jackson State University. She later earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Throughout her career, she has taken on multiple roles, including library media specialist, curriculum specialist, instructional coach, and facilitator. She has worked closely with underperforming school districts to provide targeted professional development and instructional support, ensuring that all students receive high-quality education.
Dr. Redfield-Mims is also a consultant with The Kirkland Group, where she helps school districts assess their educational needs and develop customized workshops to enhance teaching and learning. As a Math Coach for Teaching Lab, she supports teachers in building students’ confidence and comprehension in mathematics. Additionally, she has contributed to Better Lesson as a lesson plan creator, providing instructional resources that help teachers implement effective strategies in their classrooms.
Beyond her work in education, she is also involved in social justice efforts. She is a Restorative Justice Practitioner with the Institute for Democratic Education in America (IDEA), where she focuses on creating culturally responsive, community-driven solutions to improve education systems. Her work with the Poor People’s Campaign of Mississippi further reflects her commitment to advocating for underserved communities and ensuring that education is a pathway to equity and opportunity.
Dr. Redfield-Mims is also an author, using literature to uplift and empower young people. Her book, Not Quite a Cinderella, follows the journey of a 14-year-old girl from Terry, Mississippi, as she navigates issues of self-esteem, body image, and cultural identity. Through this story, she sends a powerful message about embracing one’s uniqueness and rejecting societal pressures to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards.
At the heart of Dr. Redfield-Mims’s work is a belief in the power of education to transform lives. Whether she’s coaching teachers, developing curriculum, advocating for students, or writing, she remains focused on helping schools and communities create more equitable learning environments for all.
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