Summary:
The city of Opelousas, Louisiana, is home to 12 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school, serving a diverse student population with varying academic performance. While some standout schools like Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts and Northwest High School consistently rank among the top in the state, others, such as Opelousas Junior High School and Grolee Elementary School, struggle to meet state averages.
The schools in Opelousas serve a predominantly African American student population, with many having high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant economically disadvantaged population. This socioeconomic factor appears to be correlated with lower academic performance, as seen in the wide range of test scores across the schools. However, some schools, like Northeast Elementary and Plaisance Middle School, are performing closer to the state averages, suggesting potential for improvement with the right interventions and support.
The presence of a high-performing charter school, JS Clark Leadership Academy, and a specialized magnet school, Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts, highlights the role that school choice can play in providing educational opportunities for students in the Opelousas area. Overall, the data on the Opelousas schools reveals a complex landscape, with both high-performing and struggling schools, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and support to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students in the city.
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