Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Ruston Junior High School

Q: Is Ruston Junior High School a good school?

Ruston Junior High School ranks 192 nd of 452 Louisiana middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-8

192^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 452 Louisiana Middle Schools

Better than 58% of Louisiana middle schools

Summary

Ruston Junior High School in Ruston, LA, serves 585 students in grades 7 and 8 and is part of the high-performing Lincoln Parish school district, which ranks in the top 20% of Louisiana.

Ruston Junior High has shown a strong academic rebound, jumping from the 38th percentile statewide in 2024-2025 to the 58th percentile in 2025-2026, its highest rank in years. This upward trend contrasts with nearby Calhoun Middle School, which declined from the 73rd to the 61st percentile over the same period. While Ruston trails Calhoun in overall math (66% vs. 71%) and ELA (68% vs. 77%) proficiency, it has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (16.6% vs. 22.4%) and serves a student body where about 58% are eligible for free or reduced lunch. The school also outperforms its in-district peer, I.A. Lewis School, in social studies (62% vs. 44%), though social studies remains a relative weakness compared to math and ELA. A key differentiator is the school's exceptional performance with its White student population, which ranked in the 84th percentile in 2025-2026—a dramatic improvement from the 47th percentile the prior year. However, a significant equity challenge persists, as students from low socio-economic status backgrounds ranked in the 45th percentile, creating a 39-point gap between these subgroups.

Chronic absenteeism is a persistent concern, with a rate of 16.6% that is higher than the district average of 14.1% and has been consistently above the district for four years. Despite this, the school maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, and its overall rebound suggests effective teaching and leadership. For parents, Ruston Junior High offers a school on an upward trajectory with notable strengths in certain areas, though attention to equity and attendance will be key to sustaining progress.

585

Students ?

13.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,194

Per pupil spending ?

57.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

481 Tarbutton Road
Ruston, LA 71270

(318) 251-1601

District: Lincoln Parish

Students who attend Ruston Junior High School usually attend:

High:

Ruston High School

Feeder schools for Ruston Junior High School:

Elementary:	Cypress Springs Elementary School
	Glen View Elementary School
	Hillcrest Elementary School
	Ruston Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

49.6%

White:

39.0%

Hispanic:

7.9%

See top rated Louisiana middle schools

Compare Ruston Junior High School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 44th percentile in 2016 → 58th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 14 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Louisiana median (58th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school65%

District avg70%

Louisiana avg62%

192^nd of 452

Louisiana public middle schools ?

Top 42%▲ up 14 pts since 2016

From bottom 44% (2016) to top 42% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

22^nd of 116Lincoln Parish among Louisiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	59.3	192 of 452	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	39.6	279 of 447	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.2	255 of 449	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.2	220 of 465	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.3	194 of 460	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	40.7	278 of 459	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	48.2	246 of 449	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.5	285 of 411	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	49.5	245 of 437	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	49.5	245 of 435	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2015	57.8	209 of 482	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2014	55.6	213 of 470	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	64.2	155 of 457	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	61.2	177 of 442	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	68.2	131 of 412	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	36.8	287 of 408	29.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	51.2	234 of 425	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	61.6	177 of 413	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2007	54.3	206 of 396	48.0%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	50.1	166 of 344	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	30.1	258 of 344	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	34.5	225 of 333	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.6	198 of 360	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.3	136 of 360	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	35.2	226 of 352	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.8	188 of 338	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.0	213 of 313	31.9%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2018	28.7	122 of 170	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2021	18.2	51 of 55	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	57.2	201 of 434	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	41.1	251 of 415	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	49.8	229 of 415	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.1	225 of 444	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.2	190 of 441	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.0	268 of 441	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.4	245 of 418	41.4%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	34.9	126 of 178	29.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	49.5	76 of 155	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.0	91 of 152	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.0	89 of 163	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.0	61 of 163	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	32.3	110 of 153	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	44.2	80 of 128	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	64.1	41 of 118	65.3%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	47.5	248 of 450	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	23.3	354 of 437	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.2	288 of 444	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.3	289 of 459	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.2	244 of 458	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	26.6	341 of 455	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	36.8	294 of 430	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.0	267 of 403	33.7%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	62.0	171 of 435	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	40.8	248 of 414	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.8	250 of 426	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.5	187 of 443	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.8	185 of 442	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	37.2	280 of 442	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	48.2	223 of 418	46.7%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	41.6	130 of 225	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.8	133 of 175	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.5	182 of 206	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.8	168 of 210	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	38.9	118 of 202	41.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	80.1	53 of 338	84.3%	★★★★☆
2025	50.4	169 of 316	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	68.2	92 of 320	71.3%	★★★★☆
2023	76.8	64 of 352	81.8%	★★★★☆
2022	69.6	99 of 362	72.7%	★★★★☆
2021	63.5	132 of 358	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	74.4	80 of 350	77.1%	★★★★☆
2018	72.0	86 of 338	74.6%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2026)84th percentile+27 vs school

Male (2026)61st percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)54th percentile-4 vs school

African American (2026)52nd percentile-6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)45th percentile-13 vs school

Special Education (2026)42nd percentile-15 vs school

Hispanic (2026)29th percentile-28 vs school

Disabled (2018)28th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2021)7th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Louisiana (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts68%~ state avg

Mathematics66%+4 vs state

Social Studies62%+7 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Ruston Junior High School and help other families decide.

Rate Ruston Junior High School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Ruston Junior High School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				LEAP Mathematics (2026)				LEAP English Language Arts (2026)				LEAP Social Studies (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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 Social Studies 6th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 7th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 8th Grade	LEAP Social Studies All Grades	Total
Ruston Junior High School	Public	7-8	481 Tarbutton Road	Ruston	71270	Lincoln Parish	Lincoln Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(318) 251-1601	585	44	13.3	57.8%	228 (39.0%)	290 (49.6%)	46 (7.9%)	9 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.1%)	59.3	192^nd of 452 public middle schools	57.5%		39.6	279^th of 447 public middle schools	37.6%	87		72.0	58.0	66.0		75.0	62.0	68.0		60.0	62.0	62.0	$17,194
I.A. Lewis School	Public	6	1000 Mitchell Avenue	Ruston	71270	Lincoln Parish	Lincoln Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(318) 255-5963	277	22	12.3	61.7%	91 (32.9%)	158 (57.0%)	21 (7.6%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.4%)								(n/a)	70.0			70.0	75.0			75.0	44.0			44.0	$17,930
Calhoun Middle School	Public	6-8	191 Highway 80	Calhoun	71225	Ouachita Parish	Ouachita Parish	No	No	No	No	(318) 644-5840	423	34	12.4	53.4%	382 (90.3%)	19 (4.5%)	12 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.1%)	62.3	177^th of 452 public middle schools	60.8%		63.8	163^rd of 447 public middle schools	63.5%	14	77.0	79.0	52.0	71.0	76.0	78.0	75.0	77.0	47.0	56.0	56.0	53.0	$15,148

Frequently Asked Questions about Ruston Junior High School

What is the racial makeup of Ruston Junior High School?

Students at Ruston Junior High School are 50% African American, 39% White, 8% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What high school do graduates of Ruston Junior High School attend?

Students who attend Ruston Junior High School usually go on to attend Ruston High School

How many students attend Ruston Junior High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 585 students attended Ruston Junior High School.

Is Ruston Junior High School a good school?

Ruston Junior High School ranks 192^nd of 452 Louisiana middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Ruston Junior High School in?

Lincoln Parish

Rate Ruston Junior High School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

LALouisiana Middle School Rankings

LALouisiana District Rankings

Schools in Ruston, LA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Ruston Junior High School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Louisiana Dept of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.