Rapides Parish

The Rapides Parish school district in Louisiana encompasses 43 schools, including 25 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 7 high schools, and 5 alternative schools. The district exhibits a diverse range of school performance, with some standout high-achieving institutions as well as lower-performing schools that may require additional support.

Among the top-performing schools in the district are J.B. Nachman Elementary School, ranked 47th out of 675 Louisiana elementary schools, and Phoenix Magnet Elementary School, ranked 2nd in the state. These schools demonstrate exceptional academic performance, with proficiency rates exceeding 80% in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. Another standout is Caroline Dormon Junior High School, ranked 25th in Louisiana and boasting 100% proficiency in English Language Arts.

However, the district also exhibits significant performance gaps, with some schools, such as D.F. Huddle Elementary, having proficiency rates below 50% in both subject areas. Socioeconomic factors, as evidenced by the wide range of free and reduced lunch eligibility rates, appear to play a significant role in student outcomes across the district. Additionally, the presence of several alternative schools, like Rapides Training Academy, suggests the district is addressing the needs of specialized student populations.