Louisiana isn’t home to all the worst schools in the country. However, the state's quality of education may not be every parent's desire. This is evident in the latest U.S. News & World Report that ranks the state 41st for Pre-K-12 education.
For many, this represents a significant improvement. But still, educators, policymakers, and parents must do more to improve this region's education quality. To achieve this, stakeholders must first review the best and worst institutions and fix all the areas that need work.
If you're looking for this information, then you're home. This review takes you through Louisiana's lowest-ranking PK-12 institutions in terms of test scores, graduation rate, and college preparation. You'll also learn about the higher-learning institutions with the lowest graduation rates. So let's jump right in!
Morehouse Junior School
1001 West Madison Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220
Morehouse Junior School opens our list of the worst schools in Louisiana. The public school is in the Bastrop town setting and serves over 576 scholars from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade.
Morehouse Junior School scores a 1/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org and boasts a rating of 1/10 for test scores. This performance is far below the state's average, indicating that your child might likely not perform at their grade level.
A deeper look into the school's test scores reveals that only 3% of scholars passed English proficiency, compared to the state average of 40%. Math and science performances were worse, each recording a less than 1% pass rate compared to the state averages of 37% and 24. In addition, only 2% of scholars passed social studies, way less than the 27%state average.
According to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, the school ranks 528 among the state's elementary schools. In addition, the school ranks 693 and 701 for math and reading proficiency.
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But it's not all bad news at the school; the facility is already working towards improvement. One of the school's major priorities is hiring competent and experienced tutors. That’s why more than half the staff members are certified, and 70% have taught for more than three years. This goes a long way in improving the quality of education.
Sunset Acres Elementary School
6514 West Canal Boulevard, Shreveport, LA 71108
Sunset Acres Elementary School in Shreveport, LA, is the second worst school in our elementary category. The student population in this reputable public facility is 247, and the school boasts an equal gender distribution. In addition, all learners come from minority communities, and about 81% face economic hurdles.
Sunset Acres has a 3/10 GreatSchools.org summary rating, and the school managed a 1/10 in test scores. Students' performance in individual subjects wasn't as impressive, as only 5% passed English proficiency, yet the state average is 40%. Those who passed math represent 2% of the populace, compared to the 34% state average. Social studies and science recorded the lowest pass rates, each representing 1%, versus the state average of 22% and 27%.
Sunset Acres Elementary School ranks 528 among all elementary schools in Louisiana. The institution is also at an impressive 28th position within the Caddo Parish Public Schools district. Moreover, the school attained a 655. reading proficiency rank, while its math proficiency rank is #569.
As expected, Sunset Acres is already working on this low performance. The institution prioritizes dedicated student attention and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 1:16, which is better than the district's.
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Werner Park Elementary School
2715 Corbitt Street, Shreveport, LA 71108
Shreveport's Werner Park Elementary School closes our first category. The institution caters to students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, with a total student population of 272. Of these, 45% represent female students, and 55% are males. In addition, 99% represent minority groups, while 82% of the enrolled students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Werner Park Elementary School scores a summary rating of 2/10 on GreatSchools.org. In addition, the website rates the school at 1/10 for test scores which is way below average. Specifically, only 7% of scholars passed English, way below the state average of 40%. The pass rate for math was 2%, yet the state records an average of 34%. Students performed the lowest in social studies and science, with 1% for the former and less than a percentage for the latter.
According to the latest rankings, Warner Park ranks 27th in the Caddo Parish Public Schools District. In addition, the school ranks 655 and 569 out of 704 for reading and math proficiency.
Warner Park maintains a teacher-student ratio of 1:20 to compensate for the low scores, which is better than the district. In addition, 92% of tutors have national accreditations, and those with over three years in the industry form 68.0%.
Madison Middle School
1234 Madison High Drive, Tallulah, LA 71282
Madison Middle School is among Tallulah's most reputable institutions. The public school is in a fringe rural setting and caters to students in grades 7-8. The total student population is 144, comprising 49% female apprentices and 51% males. Remarkably, 98% of the students at the school belong to minority groups, while 99% of the enrolled students face financial setbacks.
Madison Middle School scores 2/10 as its GreatSchools.org summary rating. Test score ratings were equally below expectations, at 1/10. These ratings result from 8% of scholars passing English proficiency while just 2% passing math. The state averages for the two subjects are 43% and 25%, respectively. In addition, just a percentage attained or surpassed the science proficient levels, while the pass rate for social studies was 2%, compared to the state average of 32%.
Madison Middle's math and reading proficiency ranks stand at 377 and 394, and the school ranks 335 in statewide rankings. But don't be discouraged by the numbers, as the school also offers many other goodies.
For instance, Madison maintains one of the most flexible tutor-scholar ratios in the state, at 1:14. In addition, the population of educators with the appropriate certification forms 80%, and 90% have served learners for over three years.
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Glen Oaks Middle School
6650 Cedar Grove Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70812
Established in 1960, Glen Oaks Middle School has become a cherished institution in the surrounding Baton Rouge community. The school is nestled in a large suburban setting and serves students from grades 6 to 12.
Over 684 students call this institution home; this population comprises 47% schoolgirls and 53% males. In addition, 99% of the students at the school belong to minority groups, while 75% are from backgrounds with financial difficulties.
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Glen Oaks Middle School isn't your best performer in terms of the quality of education, as the school boasts a 1/10 GreatSchools.org summary rating. The reputable institution also attained a rating of 1/10 for test scores on the review platform.
Students' individual performance in key subjects is wanting. For instance, the population of scholars who passed English was only 12%, compared to the 41% state average. In addition, less than a percentage passed math and those who attained or exceeded the science proficiency level formed only 1%. In these two subjects, the state average is 25%. Finally, only a percentage passed social studies, compared to 27% recorded as the state average.
USNews considers Glen Oaks Senior High School as unranked. But the platform notes that about 32% of scholars achieved or scored above the proficient levels for math and reading.
The good news is that Glen Oaks understands its weak points and thus maintains a fair tutor-student ratio of 1:14, better than the district's average. In addition, 96% of teachers are certified, and about 96% of educators have served students here or elsewhere for over three years.
Baker Middle School
5903 Groom Road, Baker, LA 7071
Baker Middle School closes our middle school section of the worst schools in Louisiana. The public school serves about 200 apprentices in grades 6 to 8. This population comprises 46% females and 54% schoolboys, with 95% of the entire populace representing minority groups. In addition, the facility enrolls 75% of financially limited scholars.
Baker Middle School may not be the best option for parents or educators considering high performance in statewide standard examinations. The institution scores a 1/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org and boasts a 1/10 test score rating.
In addition, Baker Middle School students performed below expectations in the core units. Only 4% passed English and social studies, with each subject registering a state average of 43% and 32%. Those who attained or exceeded the math and science proficiency thresholds form just 2% and 3%, against the state average of 25% in both subjects.
Based on Baker Middle School's performance in the latest statewide tests, it's clear that the school should re-strategize its instruction approach. The school ranks 436 in reading proficiency and 419 in math out of the 446 ranked institutions in the state.
Baker Middle School is already working towards improving its performance and rankings. The institution maintains a 1:12 tutor-scholar ratio, better than the districts. In addition, the school hires certified and experienced tutors, with 81% holding national certifications.
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Bastrop High School
402 Highland Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220
Bastrop High School opens this review's high school section. The reputable public school has a total student population of 933, comprising 49% females and 51% boys. About 92% belong to minority groups, while 72% represent learners from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, the student-teacher ratio at Bastrop High School is 21, which is higher than the ratio in the district.
Bastrop High School boasts a 1/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org and attains 1/10 for test scores. In addition, students here recorded some of the lowest core subjects scores in the state. For instance, only 6% passed English, compared to the 41% state average, and just a percentage passed math. In addition, 2% passed social studies and science, compared to the state records of 32% and 27%, respectively.
Bastrop High School holds the national ranking of 13,383 and secures position 202 in Louisiana. The school also ranks ninth in the Monroe metro area. Regarding reading proficiency, the school ranks 440, while its math proficiency rank is 443. The School's graduation rate is relatively higher than most of its peers, 74%. But this is still below the state's median.
St. Helena College and Career Academy
14340 Highway 37, Greensburg, LA 70441
St. Helena College and Career Academy is a public school in Greensburg, LA, known for its distant rural surroundings. The school serves students from grades 7 to 12, with a total student population of 522. The student body consists of 49% female and 51% male students. Notably, 94.4% of the students at the school represent minority groups, while 89% of the enrolled students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
St. Helena College and Career Academy have a summary rating of 2/10 on GreatSchools.org. The review site rates the school's test scores at 1/10 due to students' low performance in the respective subjects. Only 8% passed English proficiency in this school, compared to the state average of 41%. In addition, only a percentage passed math and science, with each subject registering 23% and 27% average state pass rates. Students' performance in social studies was relatively higher, at 7%. But it's also quite low compared to the state average of 32%.
Judging from its performance in the latest examinations, St. Helena Central High School ranks 11,771 nationally and 160 among its peers in Louisiana. The school also ranks 28th in the Baton Rouge metro area. Moreover, the school boasts a college readiness index of 21.8/100 and a graduation rate of 78%.
While St. Helena still has work to do regarding its ranks against its peers at the national, state, and district levels, the institution also has some good news. For instance, it has the same tutor-student ratio as the district, at 1:18. The teachers work to ensure learners enjoy exceptional learning experiences.
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Belaire High School
12121 Tams Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Belaire High School is the last item in our high school section. The institution has a student population of 47% female students and 53% male students. An overwhelming majority of 97.9% of the students represent minority groups. Additionally, 54% of scholars face economic disadvantages and rely on the district's feeding program and other financial aid forms.
Belaire High School has a 1/10 GreatSchools.org summary rating, and the site awards the facility a 1/10 for its average test scores. More precisely, students performed below expectations in the school's core programs. For instance, less than a percentage passed algebra, yet the state recorded an average pass rate of 34%; those who passed English from only 15%, also lower than the state's average of 46%.
In addition, just a percentage pierced biology and geometry, compared to the state's 25% and 29% averages. The best performance was in U.S. history, where 5% of learners achieved or surpassed the pass mark, contrasting with the state median of 28%. These test scores mean the average student may fail to perform at their grade level.
Despite recording low test scores, Belaire Magnet High School remains committed to fostering a culturally diverse environment and ensuring excellence for all students. In addition, the school provides numerous out-of-class growth opportunities, including the marching band, various sports and activities, and academic clubs.
Bossier Parish Community College
6220 E. Texas Street, Bossier City, LA
Bossier Parish Community College is our list's worst higher learning institution in terms of graduation rates. The school opened its doors in 1966 thanks to the joint resolution of the state's legislature. In the fall of 1967, the institution held its first classes comprising 101 scholars guided by eight instructors.
Today, Bossier Parish Community College is among the most reputable institutions in the metro area and state, but there's still work to be done to raise its quality of education. The school boasts a 25% graduation rate, compared to the certificate schools' midpoint of 68%.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Fortunately, Bossier Parish Community College doesn't plan to stay the same and is already trying to overturn these statistics. The institution aspires to be an esteemed educational institution that serves as a valuable community collaborator and drives growth and opportunities for individuals. Thus, students make significant contributions to our region's social, cultural, and economic well-being.
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Southern University at New Orleans
6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA, 70126
Southern University at New Orleans is the final item in our review of the worst schools in Louisiana. The institution opened its doors in 1956 and initially served as an extension of Baton Rouge's Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.
SUNO initially catered to African American students residing in predominantly single-family homes. Currently, SUNO is a vital higher learning institution in the Gulf Coast region. The school sits on a 17-acre site within the historic Pontchartrain Park neighborhood in eastern New Orleans. While the university continues to provide educational opportunities for African American students, its mission has expanded to serve a diverse student body from various backgrounds. SUNO remains committed to its role as an important hub of learning and academic growth in the region.
Unfortunately, SUNO has little to show regarding the average number of graduates each year. The school boasts a 35% graduation rate, slightly higher than its Bossier Parish counterpart. According to the latest U.S. News rankings, the institution has a four-year graduation rate of 8%, one of the lowest in the country.
But despite its poor performance, the institution has a 16:1 student/faculty ratio, which is fair. In addition, about 61% of classes cater to less than 20 students.
Southern University at New Orleans in the News!
Southern University has made headlines at the time of writing. The news stories coming from this school are absolutely noteworthy. Take a look below.
Detectives searching for two vehicles in New Orleans double shooting that left Southern University student dead. (May 18th, 2023)
5 Louisiana colleges shut down the internet after a security threat. (March 25, 2023)
It's Time for Louisiana Schools to Improve Their Quality of Education
With a glimpse of the worst schools in Louisiana, it's time to make a positive shift and alter the state's rankings in quality of education. To achieve this, the respective schools must implement several practical best practices.
For instance, these facilities must foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment and employ qualified and passionate teachers. Facilities should also implement effective teaching methods, integrate technology for interactive learning, and promote critical thinking and creativity.
Finally, schools should prioritize providing access to diverse educational resources and continuously evaluate and improve educational programs and policies.
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