Is Tensas High School a good school?

Tensas High School ranks in the bottom 7.5% of Louisiana high schools.

How many students attend Tensas High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 157 students attended Tensas High School.

What is the racial makeup of Tensas High School?

Students at Tensas High School are 89% African American, 10% White, 1% Hispanic.

What schools feed into Tensas High School?

Tensas High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Tensas Elementary School

Tensas High School

Summary:

Tensas High School is a public high school located in Saint Joseph, Louisiana, serving grades 6-12 with a relatively small student population of 169 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school is part of the Tensas Parish school district, which is ranked 84 out of 122 districts in Louisiana and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. Tensas High School has consistently ranked in the bottom third of Louisiana high schools over the past decade, with a current ranking of 308 out of 333 high schools in the state for the 2023-2024 school year.

Tensas High School's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is significantly below the state and parish averages across various subjects and grade levels. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in LEAP Mathematics and English Language Arts for all grades were 43% and 55%, respectively, compared to the state averages of 59% and 69%. The school's performance is particularly low in subjects like Geometry (15% proficient), U.S. History (10% proficient), and Biology (15% proficient). Additionally, the school's performance on standardized tests is consistently lower for subgroups such as African American students, male students, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds compared to the state averages for those subgroups.

Despite having a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.8 to 13 students per teacher over the past three school years, Tensas High School's academic outcomes have not significantly improved. The school has experienced a slight decline in its student population, from 181 students in the 2020-2021 school year to 169 students in the 2022-2023 school year, and the racial composition of the student body has shifted, with the percentage of African American students decreasing from 90.27% in 2020-2021 to 84.62% in the current school year. These persistent challenges suggest the need for a comprehensive review of the school's educational strategies, resource allocation, and support systems to address the unique needs of its student population and improve student outcomes.

Detail:

Public 6-12

720 Plank Road
Saint Joseph, LA 71366

(318) 766-3585

District: Tensas Parish

SchoolDigger Rank:
308^th of 333 Louisiana High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $25,275

Feeder schools for Tensas High School:

Elementary:

Tensas Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 10.1

Number of students: 157

Racial breakdown:

African American:

89.2%

White:

9.6%

Hispanic:

1.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 86.6%

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Compare Tensas High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Tensas High School ranks worse than 77.1% of middle schools in Louisiana. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25.62. (See more...)

Compare Details Tensas High School ranks worse than 92.5% of high schools in Louisiana. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 5.95. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (89.2%), White (9.6%), Hispanic (1.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 86.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Tensas High School is 10.1. (See more...)

Compare Tensas High School employs 15.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Tensas High School is $25,275.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Tensas High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Tensas High School 346^th of 449 Louisiana public middle schools. (See Tensas High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

African American students:

SchoolDigger ranks Tensas High School 308^th of 333 Louisiana public high schools. (See Tensas High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Male students:

African American students:

Tensas Parish:

SchoolDigger ranks Tensas Parish 84^th of 122 Louisiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Tensas High School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	LA State Percentile
2007	14.05	358^th	396	9.6%
2008	12.96	376^th	413	9.0%
2009	25.18	348^th	425	18.1%
2010	23.25	352^nd	408	13.7%
2011	9.70	399^th	412	3.2%
2012	9.90	410^th	442	7.2%
2013	9.89	421^st	457	7.9%
2014	14.59	417^th	470	11.3%
2015	25.62	379^th	482	21.4%
2016	25.38	349^th	435	19.8%
2017	28.93	336^th	437	23.1%
2019	8.31	417^th	449	7.1%
2021	9.86	414^th	459	9.8%
2022	8.12	426^th	460	7.4%
2023	17.21	395^th	465	15.1%
2024	25.62	346^th	449	22.9%

See the entire list of Louisiana High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	LA State Percentile
2019	6.22	417^th	430	3.0%
2021	7.97	425^th	455	6.6%
2022	6.12	439^th	458	4.1%
2023	17.76	386^th	459	15.9%
2024	31.73	315^th	444	29.1%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	LA State Percentile
2019	12.20	389^th	418	6.9%
2021	12.63	393^rd	441	10.9%
2023	30.20	331^st	444	25.5%
2024	36.63	283^rd	415	31.8%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	LA State Percentile
2019	12.72	378^th	418	9.6%
2021	6.82	417^th	442	5.7%
2022	3.00	434^th	442	1.8%
2023	8.76	417^th	443	5.9%
2024	24.93	334^th	426	21.6%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	LA State Percentile
2018	29.41	236^th	313	24.6%
2019	10.89	326^th	338	3.6%
2021	17.78	306^th	352	13.1%
2022	12.72	330^th	360	8.3%
2023	27.91	268^th	360	25.6%
2024	40.52	198^th	333	40.5%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Louisiana Dept of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Tensas High School

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Rank History for all high school students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	LA State Percentile
2007	9.38	276^th	290	4.8%
2008	10.28	273^rd	291	6.2%
2009	27.92	241^st	301	19.9%
2010	32.26	234^th	297	21.2%
2011	36.93	232^nd	300	22.7%
2012	17.73	283^rd	310	8.7%
2013	5.62	300^th	312	3.8%
2014	17.63	279^th	309	9.7%
2015	29.50	260^th	312	16.7%
2016	25.36	259^th	297	12.8%
2017	12.96	280^th	297	5.7%
2018	10.14	275^th	302	8.9%
2019	11.93	279^th	313	10.9%
2021	11.06	282^nd	322	12.4%
2022	7.89	296^th	326	9.2%
2023	13.08	273^rd	321	15.0%
2024	5.95	308^th	333	7.5%

See the entire list of Louisiana High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	LA State Percentile
2019	21.05	246^th	301	18.3%
2021	14.86	251^st	285	11.9%
2022	8.06	299^th	322	7.1%
2023	13.69	278^th	321	13.4%
2024	4.27	312^th	328	4.9%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	LA State Percentile
2019	17.07	246^th	292	15.8%
2021	12.52	255^th	288	11.5%
2022	19.38	257^th	311	17.4%
2023	15.29	268^th	308	13.0%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	LA State Percentile
2019	14.33	252^nd	291	13.4%
2021	14.27	247^th	292	15.4%
2022	6.96	279^th	301	7.3%
2023	10.37	270^th	306	11.8%
2024	4.40	301^st	315	4.4%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school African American students at Tensas High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	LA State Percentile
2019	19.49	197^th	233	15.5%
2021	23.17	193^rd	243	20.6%
2022	17.17	222^nd	256	13.3%
2023	23.12	200^th	252	20.6%
2024	13.63	228^th	260	12.3%

See the entire list of Best Louisiana High Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Louisiana Dept of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Louisiana Dept of Education

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Enrollment information for Tensas High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	176	176
1990	21	148	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	169
1991	36	145	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	181
1992	36	155	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	191
1993	39	152	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	191
1994	29	165	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	194
1995	24	154	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	181
1996	24	154	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	181
1997	20	157	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	180
1998	21	140	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	164
1999	18	277	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	295
2000	11	204	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	215
2001	17	192	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	210
2002	12	176	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	188
2003	12	176	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	188
2004	7	191	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	198
2005	6	184	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	190
2006	5	195	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	200
2007	11	243	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	257
2008	10	235	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	248
2009	16	217	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	237
2010	13	203	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	221
2011	12	194	0	6	0	0	1	0	213
2012	10	228	0	4	0	0	0	0	242
2013	22	230	0	2	0	0	1	0	255
2014	21	234	0	1	0	0	1	0	257
2015	21	225	0	3	0	0	3	0	252
2016	18	222	0	1	0	0	1	0	242
2017	27	234	2	1	0	0	2	0	266
2018	26	234	0	2	0	0	4	0	266
2019	23	216	0	1	0	0	5	0	245
2020	16	192	0	2	0	0	5	0	215
2021	14	167	0	1	0	0	3	0	185
2022	13	165	0	2	0	0	2	0	182
2023	22	143	0	2	0	0	2	0	169
2024	15	140	0	2	0	0	0	0	157

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Tensas High School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	176	21.0	8.3	81.8
1990	169	20.0	8.4	78.1
1991	181	21.0	8.6	81.2
1992	191	21.0	9.0	81.7
1993	191	21.0	9.1	81.7
1994	194	21.0	9.2	76.3
1995	181	17.0	10.6	81.2
1996	181	17.0	10.6	81.2
1997	180	12.9	14.0	75
1998	164	16.0	10.3	70.1
1999	295	25.0	11.8	92.9
2000	215	20.0	10.8	92.6
2001	210	20.0	10.5	88.1
2002	188	18.2	10.3	88.3
2003	188	18.2	10.3	88.3
2004	198	18.0	11.0	85.4
2005	190	17.7	10.7	95.8
2006	200	17.6	11.4	90.5
2007	257	21.3	12.1	89.9
2008	248	23.2	10.7	84.7
2009	237	21.7	10.9	89.9
2010	221	23.3	9.4	90.5
2011	213	20.4	10.4	89.7
2012	242	19.6	12.2	93.8
2013	255	20.7	12.3	92.2
2014	257	22.6	11.3	93
2015	252	21.0	12.0	96.4
2016	242	n/a	n/a	100
2017	266	28.4	9.3	94.7
2018	266	18.5	14.3	96.6
2019	245	17.5	13.9	71.8
2020	215	13.0	16.4	79.5
2021	185	17.0	10.8	81.1
2022	182	14.7	12.3	79.1
2023	169	12.9	13.0	82.8
2024	157	15.4	10.1	86.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Tensas High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	176	21.0	8.3	81.8
1990	169	20.0	8.4	78.1
1991	181	21.0	8.6	81.2
1992	191	21.0	9.0	81.7
1993	191	21.0	9.1	81.7
1994	194	21.0	9.2	76.3
1995	181	17.0	10.6	81.2
1996	181	17.0	10.6	81.2
1997	180	12.9	14.0	75
1998	164	16.0	10.3	70.1
1999	295	25.0	11.8	92.9
2000	215	20.0	10.8	92.6
2001	210	20.0	10.5	88.1
2002	188	18.2	10.3	88.3
2003	188	18.2	10.3	88.3
2004	198	18.0	11.0	85.4
2005	190	17.7	10.7	95.8
2006	200	17.6	11.4	90.5
2007	257	21.3	12.1	89.9
2008	248	23.2	10.7	84.7
2009	237	21.7	10.9	89.9
2010	221	23.3	9.4	90.5
2011	213	20.4	10.4	89.7
2012	242	19.6	12.2	93.8
2013	255	20.7	12.3	92.2
2014	257	22.6	11.3	93
2015	252	21.0	12.0	96.4
2016	242	n/a	n/a	100
2017	266	28.4	9.3	94.7
2018	266	18.5	14.3	96.6
2019	245	17.5	13.9	71.8
2020	215	13.0	16.4	79.5
2021	185	17.0	10.8	81.1
2022	182	14.7	12.3	79.1
2023	169	12.9	13.0	82.8
2024	157	15.4	10.1	86.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Tensas High School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$14,527
2018	$15,999
2019	$17,674
2020	$18,035
2021	$21,208
2022	$25,275

Data source: Louisiana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Tensas High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 417^th of 449 Middle schools	Ranks 395^th of 465 Middle schools	7.9%
Ranks 279^th of 313 High schools	Ranks 273^rd of 321 High schools	4.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade Mathematics (Tensas High School)	16	31	15%
6th Grade Mathematics (Tensas Parish)	16	31	15%
6th Grade Mathematics (Louisiana)	61	57	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Tensas High School)	39	57	18%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Tensas Parish)	39	57	18%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Louisiana)	67	68	1%
6th Grade Social Studies (Tensas High School)	16	25	9%
6th Grade Social Studies (Tensas Parish)	16	25	9%
6th Grade Social Studies (Louisiana)	51	42	9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Tensas High School)	21	27	6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Tensas Parish)	21	27	6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Louisiana)	61	57	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Tensas High School)	21	46	25%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Tensas Parish)	21	46	25%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Louisiana)	72	67	5%
7th Grade Social Studies (Tensas High School)	7	32	25%
7th Grade Social Studies (Tensas Parish)	7	32	25%
7th Grade Social Studies (Louisiana)	55	52	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Tensas High School)	31	37	6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Tensas Parish)	31	37	6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Louisiana)	53	47	6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Tensas High School)	48	50	2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Tensas Parish)	48	50	2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Louisiana)	71	70	1%
8th Grade Social Studies (Tensas High School)	55	19	36%
8th Grade Social Studies (Tensas Parish)	55	19	36%
8th Grade Social Studies (Louisiana)	64	53	11%
End of Course Algebra I (Tensas High School)	26	17	9%
End of Course Algebra I (Tensas Parish)	26	17	9%
End of Course Algebra I (Louisiana)	67	64	3%
End of Course Geometry (Tensas High School)	8	13	5%
End of Course Geometry (Tensas Parish)	8	13	5%
End of Course Geometry (Louisiana)	68	61	7%
End of Course English II (Tensas High School)	37	60	23%
End of Course English II (Tensas Parish)	37	60	23%
End of Course English II (Louisiana)	69	67	2%
End of Course English I (Tensas High School)	64	47	17%
End of Course English I (Tensas Parish)	64	47	17%
End of Course English I (Louisiana)	71	67	4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	245	169	31%
African American	216	143	33.8%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	1	2	100%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	23	22	4.3%
Two or More Races	5	2	60%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	71.8%	82.8%	11%

Schools Near Tensas High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				LEAP Mathematics (2024)				LEAP English Language Arts (2024)				LEAP Algebra I (2024)	LEAP Geometry (2024)	LEAP U.S. History (2024)	LEAP English I (2024)	LEAP Biology (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	LEAP Mathematics 6th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 7th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 8th Grade	LEAP Mathematics All Grades	LEAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts All Grades	LEAP Algebra I End of Course	LEAP Geometry End of Course	LEAP U.S. History End of Course	LEAP English I End of Course	LEAP Biology End of Course	Total
Tensas High School	Public	6-12	720 Plank Road	Saint Joseph	71366	Tensas Parish	Tensas Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(318) 766-3585	157	15	10.1	86.6%	15 (9.6%)	140 (89.2%)	2 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5.9	308^th of 333 public high schools	7.5%		13.1	273^rd of 321 public high schools	15.0%	35	52.0	33.0	40.0	43.0	55.0	56.0	56.0	55.0	38.0	15.0	10.0	36.0	15.0	$25,275

Tensas High School

Tensas High School:

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Tensas Parish:

What do you think?

Rank History for Tensas High School

Rank History for all middle school students at Tensas High School

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Tensas High School

Rank History for middle school Female students at Tensas High School

Rank History for middle school Male students at Tensas High School

Rank History for middle school African American students at Tensas High School

Rank History for Tensas High School

Rank History for all high school students at Tensas High School

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Tensas High School

Rank History for high school Female students at Tensas High School

Rank History for high school Male students at Tensas High School

Rank History for high school African American students at Tensas High School

Enrollment information for Tensas High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Tensas High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Tensas High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Tensas High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Tensas High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Tensas High School