Majority of SWLA schools see improvements in performance scores

SWLA, La. (KPLC) - The vast majority of schools in SWLA saw improvements in performance scores released by the State Board of Education earlier today, consistent with the trend for schools across the state.

Louisiana as a whole received a 78.5 average (B grade) for the 2022-23 school year, up from the 77.1 score for the 2021-22 school year.

Beauregard and Calcasieu parishes saw the biggest growth in their averages. For the district, Beauregard Parish improved from 79.7 in 2021-22 to 83.2 in 2022-23. Calcasieu saw an improvement of 82.8 in 2021-22 to 86.1 in 2022-23.

“These results are a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students,” said Calcasieu Parish School Board Superintendent Dr. Shannon LaFargue. “These scores are not given. They are earned, and we could not be prouder of the work that happened last year and the work that is continuing to happen today in our classrooms.”

In Calcasieu Parish, Gillis Elementary made the state’s top ten schools in overall K-8 school growth, seeing a growth of 13.2 points since the previous school year. Along with Starks High School, making the state’s top ten most improved high schools.

“The commitment that the faculty and staff made at those two different sites you’re ripping the success, you’re reaping the rewards of all that hard work and intentionality so we’re very proud of those two schools,” LaFargue said.

T.S. Cooley Elementary received an average of 117.6, ranking as the seventh highest-performing K-8 school in the entire state.

“What has led to this is just a continuous commitment in high standard this parish has always had, but I think the resiliency coming after the hurricanes and COVID and everything that we’ve dealt with we even grew after those moments, so now you’re starting to reap the benefits and rewards of having non-interrupted school time last year,” LaFargue said.

Schools that improved from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’ include A.A. Nelson Elementary, Hathaway High, Jennings High, Lake Arthur High, and Simpson High.

Jefferson Davis Superintendent, John Hall, says in a statement:

“We are very excited that our district SPS grew to 86.7. Some of the highlights this year are 4 schools receiving A-letter grades: Welsh High School, Hathaway High School, Lake Arthur High School, and Jennings High School. This is only the second time in Jefferson Davis Parish that we have had 4 schools have an A rating.

Jennings High School is our largest high school and it is the first time the school has had an A rating.

We attribute our growth to improved high school assessment indices and an improved ACT index.

All of our high schools have an A rating in our high school graduation rates and strength of the diploma.

We are very proud of the 5 schools named top grains honorees: Fenton Elementary School, Jennings Elementary School, Lake Arthur Elementary School, Welsh Elementary School and Welsh High School

We are also excited to report that Jeff Davis Parish Pre K programs have the 2nd highest scores in the state with Elton Elementary scoring the 3rd highest score in the state out of 1798 sites.”

Cameron parish placed high in district performance scores, ranking 5th in the state, but it’s their early childhood network that’s getting top billing -- coming in first in the state.

“I would like to believe , I say I would like to believe, I strongly believe that we have some of the best teachers here in southwest louisiana and that to me makes the biggest difference hands down,” says Cameron Parish School Board Superintendent, Charley Lemons.

See individual school scores HERE.

See statewide district scores HERE.

The state has traditionally issued school performance scores for public schools based on student achievement data since 1999. The Louisiana Department of Education says these scores allow them to update families and the public on how schools are doing. Schools are rated with letter grades from “A” to “F.”

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