Best Public Schools in Ruston, LA

The city of Ruston, Louisiana is home to 9 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school, and 1 alternative school. The schools in this area display a wide range of academic performance, with some standout institutions like A.E. Phillips Laboratory School ranking among the top elementary schools in the state, while others like Howard School struggle with much lower proficiency rates.

At the top of the pack is A.E. Phillips Laboratory School, an elementary/middle school that ranks 7th out of 675 Louisiana elementary schools and boasts exceptional test scores, with 99% of students proficient or better in math and English language arts. Ruston High School also stands out, ranking 70th out of 321 Louisiana high schools with strong test scores. In contrast, Howard School, an alternative school, has significantly lower test scores compared to the other school types in the area.

The schools in Ruston display a range of student demographics, with some having a majority White student population, like A.E. Phillips, and others having a majority African American student population, like Cypress Springs Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary. The schools also vary in their rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, with some as high as 70%. These socioeconomic factors appear to be linked to academic performance, highlighting the need to address any inequities in the Lincoln Parish school district.