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Northwood High School

Q: Is Northwood High School a good school?

Northwood High School ranks 327 th of 690 Louisiana alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

327^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 690 Louisiana Alternative Schools

Better than 53% of Louisiana alternative schools

Summary

Northwood High School in Lena, LA, is an alternative school serving 598 students in grades PK through 12 within the Rapides Parish school district, located in a rural community where over 82% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

What truly sets Northwood apart is its remarkable success in keeping students on track to graduate. The school achieved a 0.0% dropout rate in the 2023-2024 school year, far better than the district average of 2.3% and the state average of 3.1%. This is a stark contrast to nearby alternative schools like Rapides Training Academy (3.6%) and Oak Hill High School (3.3%). Northwood also boasts a 92.5% graduation rate, significantly higher than the district (85.8%) and state (83.5%). Students excel in critical End-of-Course exams, with 90% proficiency in Algebra I and 82% in English I—scores that dramatically outpace district and state averages. With a low student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, the school provides personalized attention that helps students succeed.

Northwood’s story is one of impressive improvement. In the 2020-2021 school year, the graduation rate was just 73.3% and chronic absenteeism was 39.9%. Since then, the graduation rate has consistently climbed above 87%, and chronic absenteeism has been cut nearly in half to 19.4%. While the school excels in early elementary and high school, there is a noticeable dip in math and social studies proficiency during middle school (grades 5-8), suggesting an opportunity to strengthen support during those transition years. Unlike smaller, highly specialized alternative centers such as Pinecrest Supports & Services Center or Central Louisiana Supports and Services Center, Northwood serves a larger, broader population while maintaining exceptional outcomes—functioning more like a comprehensive high school with a supportive, focused approach.

598

Students ?

12.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,467

Per pupil spending ?

82.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

8830 Highway 1 North
Lena, LA 71447

(318) 793-8021

District: Rapides Parish

Racial breakdown:

White:

56.9%

African American:

34.3%

Two or more races:

3.8%

See top rated Louisiana elementary schools

Compare Northwood High School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 36th percentile in 2023 → 79th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Louisiana average (71% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 43 percentile points since 2023

✓Above the Louisiana median (53rd percentile)

Worth a look

!Geometry scores 11 pts below the Louisiana average

!Near the bottom of Rapides Parish's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school71%

District avg65%

Louisiana avg62%

Elementary school

327^th of 690

Louisiana public elementary schools ?

Top 47%▲ up 37 pts since 2016

From bottom 15% (2016) to top 47% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

126^th of 452

Louisiana public middle schools ?

Top 28%▲ up 52 pts since 2016

From bottom 20% (2016) to top 28% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

69^th of 325

Louisiana public high schools ?

Top 21%▲ up 27 pts since 2016

From top 48% (2016) to top 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 4Alternative Schools in the Rapides Parish

28^th of 116Rapides 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	55.8	327 of 690	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.2	252 of 666	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.5	386 of 675	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.5	318 of 730	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.2	352 of 727	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.2	383 of 729	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.8	499 of 731	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	18.3	602 of 728	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	27.4	583 of 739	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	22.1	629 of 742	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	25.7	630 of 792	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	31.6	580 of 777	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	28.1	619 of 772	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	18.3	676 of 764	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	25.8	608 of 766	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	25.6	586 of 736	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	39.6	491 of 738	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	53.2	389 of 743	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2007	46.6	426 of 725	41.2%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	45.0	305 of 548	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	58.0	195 of 501	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.0	288 of 509	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	58.8	213 of 570	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.9	262 of 562	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.5	240 of 564	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.4	253 of 559	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	35.8	389 of 547	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	50.2	363 of 679	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.0	363 of 633	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.4	340 of 635	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	65.7	239 of 705	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.8	318 of 701	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.9	391 of 705	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.1	544 of 684	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	59.5	287 of 685	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.2	318 of 661	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.1	356 of 674	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.4	354 of 723	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.6	363 of 724	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.1	353 of 719	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	42.3	439 of 697	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	31.6	521 of 682	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	53.3	332 of 682	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.6	224 of 641	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.8	351 of 651	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.3	302 of 713	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.3	364 of 712	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.2	378 of 704	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.2	428 of 696	38.5%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	79.7	52 of 361	85.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	48.1	291 of 496	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.7	281 of 431	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.5	286 of 434	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.8	212 of 518	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.5	327 of 517	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.9	401 of 522	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	13.1	494 of 517	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	13.2	494 of 516	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	72.6	126 of 452	72.1%	★★★★☆
2025	80.4	85 of 447	81.0%	★★★★☆
2024	77.6	97 of 449	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	77.4	88 of 465	81.1%	★★★★☆
2022	60.3	188 of 460	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.0	264 of 459	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	33.4	317 of 449	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.5	340 of 411	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	34.1	318 of 437	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	26.4	348 of 435	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	31.2	362 of 482	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	23.5	379 of 470	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	25.6	355 of 457	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	37.5	300 of 442	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	29.3	335 of 412	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	24.5	343 of 408	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	33.3	318 of 425	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	52.8	219 of 413	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2007	51.0	225 of 396	43.2%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	74.9	67 of 344	80.5%	★★★★☆
2025	90.7	19 of 344	94.5%	★★★★★
2024	82.4	36 of 333	89.2%	★★★★☆
2023	76.3	54 of 360	85.0%	★★★★☆
2022	66.8	81 of 360	77.5%	★★★★☆
2021	58.1	123 of 352	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	39.6	203 of 338	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	25.8	251 of 313	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	77.3	92 of 434	78.8%	★★★★☆
2025	85.8	38 of 415	90.8%	★★★★★
2024	76.6	88 of 415	78.8%	★★★★☆
2023	63.8	156 of 444	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	42.2	271 of 441	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.6	314 of 441	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	34.6	300 of 418	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	75.5	95 of 450	78.9%	★★★★☆
2025	81.6	57 of 437	87.0%	★★★★☆
2024	82.8	52 of 444	88.3%	★★★★☆
2023	76.0	89 of 459	80.6%	★★★★☆
2022	59.6	175 of 458	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.6	235 of 455	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	41.5	270 of 430	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.6	299 of 403	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	64.4	160 of 435	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	77.9	85 of 414	79.5%	★★★★☆
2024	76.6	89 of 426	79.1%	★★★★☆
2023	84.1	51 of 443	88.5%	★★★★☆
2022	77.6	78 of 442	82.4%	★★★★☆
2021	59.6	171 of 442	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	32.1	303 of 418	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	74.4	80 of 338	76.3%	★★★★☆
2025	79.5	42 of 316	86.7%	★★★★☆
2024	66.9	99 of 320	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.4	147 of 352	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.0	219 of 362	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	27.6	282 of 358	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.4	313 of 350	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.6	251 of 338	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	74.1	69 of 325	78.8%	★★★★☆
2025	63.4	114 of 329	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.5	191 of 333	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.2	207 of 321	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.9	194 of 326	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.5	185 of 322	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.8	189 of 313	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	14.4	263 of 302	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	39.7	218 of 297	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	57.5	142 of 297	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	67.7	86 of 312	72.4%	★★★★☆
2014	59.2	136 of 309	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	44.0	223 of 312	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	41.8	222 of 310	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	49.1	187 of 300	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2010	51.0	171 of 297	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	40.5	204 of 301	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	63.9	98 of 291	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	48.9	176 of 290	39.3%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	74.1	49 of 260	81.2%	★★★★☆
2025	63.0	66 of 256	74.2%	★★★★☆
2024	48.4	121 of 260	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	25.7	188 of 252	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	38.4	153 of 256	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.6	149 of 243	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	56.4	81 of 233	65.2%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	72.8	80 of 313	74.4%	★★★★☆
2025	59.6	127 of 308	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	28.3	233 of 308	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.8	226 of 308	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.7	250 of 311	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	32.0	204 of 288	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	50.4	161 of 292	44.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	74.9	56 of 321	82.6%	★★★★☆
2025	62.0	105 of 323	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.4	163 of 328	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	38.2	210 of 321	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.9	197 of 322	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.7	152 of 285	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.2	142 of 301	52.8%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	70.8	79 of 311	74.6%	★★★★☆
2025	65.0	99 of 313	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.4	150 of 315	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.0	172 of 306	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	44.7	164 of 301	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.0	149 of 292	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	43.1	175 of 291	39.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2021	61.0	39 of 135	71.1%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	68.0	73 of 244	70.1%	★★★★☆
2025	63.1	82 of 245	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	30.7	190 of 248	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	36.1	176 of 249	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.0	192 of 250	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	40.3	162 of 245	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.8	168 of 249	32.5%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Special Education (2026)86th percentile+33 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)58th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)51st percentile~ school

Female (2026)47th percentile-6 vs school

African American (2026)44th percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)41st percentile-11 vs school

Middle school

African American (2026)81st percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)79th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)79th percentile+7 vs school

White (2026)76th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)63rd percentile-9 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)83rd percentile+4 vs school

African American (2026)81st percentile~ school

Male (2026)75th percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)74th percentile-4 vs school

Special Education (2021)71st percentile+29 vs school

White (2026)70th percentile-9 vs school

By subject vs Louisiana (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I90%+25 vs state

English I82%+16 vs state

English II80%+13 vs state

English Language Arts76%+6 vs state

Biology72%+12 vs state

U.S. History69%+14 vs state

Mathematics66%+4 vs state

Social Studies56%~ state avg

Geometry46%-11 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Northwood High recently received a technology grant that has allowed all of the High School students to receive their own laptop computer to use at school. Northwood has more technology available than any other school in the parish. The teachers and staff are wonderful. Close Quote

Schools Near Northwood High School

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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 ()				Ranking ()				LEAP Mathematics (2026)							LEAP English Language Arts (2026)						LEAP Social Studies (2026)							LEAP Algebra I (2026)	LEAP Geometry (2026)	LEAP English II (2026)	LEAP U.S. History (2026)	LEAP English I (2026)	LEAP Biology (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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	LEAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	LEAP Mathematics 4th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 5th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 6th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 7th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 8th Grade	LEAP Mathematics All Grades	LEAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	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 3rd Grade	LEAP Social Studies 4th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 5th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 6th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 7th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 8th Grade	LEAP Social Studies All Grades	LEAP Algebra I End of Course	LEAP Geometry End of Course	LEAP English II End of Course	LEAP U.S. History End of Course	LEAP English I End of Course	LEAP Biology End of Course	Total
Northwood High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	8830 Highway 1 North	Lena	71447	Rapides Parish	Rapides Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(318) 793-8021	598	49	12.1	82.8%	340 (56.9%)	205 (34.3%)	16 (2.7%)	2 (0.3%)	10 (1.7%)	2 (0.3%)	23 (3.8%)								(n/a)	41.0	75.0	59.0	66.0	83.0	71.0	66.0	65.0		89.0	83.0	79.0	76.0	38.0	60.0	59.0	55.0	60.0	60.0	56.0	90.0	46.0	80.0	69.0	82.0	72.0	$16,467
Renaissance Home for Youth	Public, Alternative	K-12	1501 Vandenburg Dr.	Alexandria	71303	Rapides Parish	Special School District	No	No	No	No	(318) 448-8592	12	9	1.3	75.0%	3 (25.0%)	9 (75.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																											$77,740
Central Louisiana Supports and Services Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	5400 Coliseum Blvd.	Alexandria	71306	Rapides Parish	Special School District	No	No	No	(n/a)	(318) 359-2906	37	7	5.2	91.9%	22 (59.5%)	13 (35.1%)	1 (2.7%)	1 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																											$89,030
Oak Hill High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	7362 Highway 112	Elmer	71424	Rapides Parish	Rapides Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(318) 793-2014	715	56	12.7	65.6%	648 (90.6%)	7 (1.0%)	33 (4.6%)	3 (0.4%)	8 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (2.2%)								(n/a)	73.0	78.0	63.0	72.0		70.0	74.0	74.0	69.0	68.0	92.0	81.0	76.0	56.0	65.0	52.0	38.0	68.0	84.0	62.0	92.0	68.0	73.0	58.0	81.0	58.0	$15,458
Pinecrest Supports & Services Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	5191 Pinecrest Dr. OPC/Dental	Pineville	71360	Rapides Parish	Special School District	No	No	No	No	(318) 487-5694	92	10	9.2	96.7%	47 (51.1%)	36 (39.1%)	1 (1.1%)	3 (3.3%)	1 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (4.3%)								(n/a)																											$73,601
Rapides Training Academy	Public, Alternative	K-12	4020 Aaron Street	Alexandria	70302	Rapides Parish	Rapides Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(318) 445-7017	69	16	4.4	91.3%	28 (40.6%)	37 (53.6%)	1 (1.4%)	2 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.4%)								(n/a)																											$44,141

Frequently Asked Questions about Northwood High School

What district is Northwood High School in?

Rapides Parish

What is the racial makeup of Northwood High School?

Students at Northwood High School are 57% White, 34% African American, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 2% American Indian.

Is Northwood High School a good school?

Northwood High School ranks 327^th of 690 Louisiana alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Northwood High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 598 students attended Northwood High School.

Rate Northwood High School!

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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.