Delhi Middle School

Delhi Middle School is a small, rural school in Delhi, LA, serving 91 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Richland Parish district, where over 92% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Despite being the lowest-ranked middle school in the state—ranking in the 1st percentile for the 2025-2026 school year—Delhi Middle School shows notable strengths in student engagement. It has an exceptionally low dropout rate of 2.4%, which is below the state average and far lower than the district average of 4.3%. The school also boasts a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, which is significantly better than Rayville Junior High School's 23.5:1. Chronic absenteeism, while rising, remains below both the district and state averages. However, these positive engagement metrics have not translated into academic success. Only 20% of students are proficient in Mathematics, and 38% in English Language Arts, both lower than nearby Madison Middle School (25% and 47%, respectively). Social Studies is a critical weakness, with just 15-20% of students proficient.

The school faces a systemic academic crisis, with all student subgroups—including female, male, and low-socioeconomic status students—ranking in the bottom 2nd percentile. This decline is part of a broader pattern in Richland Parish, where both Delhi and Rayville schools are in the bottom 2nd percentile statewide, suggesting district-wide challenges in curriculum and instructional support. For parents, this means the school excels at keeping students in class but struggles to ensure they learn effectively once there. The most impactful improvements would likely require district-level reforms to boost teaching quality and academic outcomes.