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

John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary

Q: Is John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary a good school?

John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary ranks 201 st of 690 Louisiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-8

201^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 690 Louisiana Elementary Schools

Better than 71% of Louisiana elementary schools

Summary

John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary in La Place, LA, is a K-8 magnet school serving 428 students within the St. John the Baptist Parish district, and it stands out as a clear academic leader in the area. The school consistently outperforms its district peers, with 81% proficiency in both Math and ELA for the 2025-2026 school year, compared to district averages of 57% and 64%. It is also the only school in the district to exceed the state average in Social Studies (63% proficient). Its 8th-grade students are exceptionally well-prepared for high school, with End-of-Course exam scores in English I (94%) and Algebra I (86%) far surpassing both district and state averages.

One of the most striking features of John L. Ory is its remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 8.2% for 2024-2025, compared to the district average of 19.4% and the state average of 22.5%. This rate is more comparable to high-performing schools in the neighboring St. Charles Parish district, such as Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School (3.8%) and Norco Elementary School (6.9%). The school also serves a lower percentage of students from low socio-economic backgrounds (63.55% free/reduced lunch) compared to other La Place schools like LaPlace Elementary School (86.48%) and Emily C. Watkins Elementary (80.58%).

John L. Ory has shown a strong rebound from pandemic-era dips, climbing back to the 85th percentile statewide in 2024-2025 after a low of the 55th percentile in 2021-2022. The school is particularly effective with African American students, who ranked in the 90th percentile statewide in 2024-2025. While the most recent data shows a slight pullback to the 71st percentile overall, the school remains a top choice for families seeking a structured, high-achieving environment. Its magnet focus on communications appears to attract an engaged student body, creating a high-performing island within a lower-performing district.

428

Students ?

14.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,478

Per pupil spending ?

63.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

182 West Fifth Street
La Place, LA 70068

(985) 651-3700

District: St. John the Baptist Parish

Racial breakdown:

African American:

59.1%

White:

27.3%

Hispanic:

8.9%

See top rated Louisiana elementary schools

Compare John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 87th percentile in 2016 → 71st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Louisiana average (80% vs 63% meeting standards)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in St. John the Baptist Parish

✓Above the Louisiana median (71st percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 16 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school80%

District avg54%

Louisiana avg63%

Elementary school

201^st of 690

Louisiana public elementary schools ?

Top 29%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 13% (2016) to top 29% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

75^th of 452

Louisiana public middle schools ?

Top 17%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 6Elementary Schools in the St. John the Baptist Parish

56^th of 116St. John the Baptist 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	73.4	201 of 690	70.9%	★★★★☆
2025	83.7	101 of 666	84.8%	★★★★☆
2024	77.9	151 of 675	77.6%	★★★★☆
2023	69.7	227 of 730	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.4	327 of 727	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.6	284 of 729	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.5	172 of 731	76.5%	★★★★☆
2018	76.0	106 of 728	85.4%	★★★★☆
2017	82.5	95 of 739	87.1%	★★★★☆
2016	82.6	98 of 742	86.8%	★★★★☆
2015	82.3	99 of 792	87.5%	★★★★☆
2014	82.7	90 of 777	88.4%	★★★★☆
2013	82.6	88 of 772	88.6%	★★★★☆
2012	85.3	79 of 764	89.7%	★★★★☆
2011	87.0	55 of 766	92.8%	★★★★★
2010	87.8	54 of 736	92.7%	★★★★★
2009	84.8	73 of 738	90.1%	★★★★★
2008	90.1	38 of 743	94.9%	★★★★★
2007	90.6	36 of 725	95.0%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	80.3	80 of 548	85.4%	★★★★☆
2025	86.5	48 of 501	90.4%	★★★★★
2024	84.8	54 of 509	89.4%	★★★★☆
2023	77.2	100 of 570	82.5%	★★★★☆
2022	71.1	121 of 562	78.5%	★★★★☆
2021	68.5	135 of 564	76.1%	★★★★☆
2019	81.0	79 of 559	85.9%	★★★★☆
2018	76.6	94 of 547	82.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	74.4	170 of 679	75.0%	★★★★☆
2025	84.9	72 of 633	88.6%	★★★★☆
2024	73.3	181 of 635	71.5%	★★★★☆
2023	61.0	290 of 705	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.6	384 of 701	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	53.3	351 of 705	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	71.5	202 of 684	70.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	64.6	245 of 685	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	85.1	71 of 661	89.3%	★★★★☆
2024	72.8	174 of 674	74.2%	★★★★☆
2023	74.4	152 of 723	79.0%	★★★★☆
2022	71.8	173 of 724	76.1%	★★★★☆
2021	65.8	243 of 719	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	79.0	110 of 697	84.2%	★★★★☆
2018	86.5	53 of 682	92.2%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	67.6	239 of 682	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	77.8	132 of 641	79.4%	★★★★☆
2024	65.0	242 of 651	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	73.7	179 of 713	74.9%	★★★★☆
2022	70.5	206 of 712	71.1%	★★★★☆
2021	69.2	212 of 704	69.9%	★★★★☆
2019	77.1	163 of 696	76.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	80.9	65 of 496	86.9%	★★★★☆
2025	79.0	70 of 431	83.8%	★★★★☆
2024	63.5	169 of 434	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.5	256 of 518	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	42.5	339 of 517	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	52.4	273 of 522	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	66.1	169 of 517	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	85.9	33 of 516	93.6%	★★★★★

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	82.2	75 of 452	83.4%	★★★★☆
2025	69.8	137 of 447	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.3	127 of 449	71.7%	★★★★☆
2023	69.9	134 of 465	71.2%	★★★★☆
2022	80.6	72 of 460	84.3%	★★★★☆
2021	78.6	85 of 459	81.5%	★★★★☆
2019	63.5	177 of 449	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.4	89 of 411	78.3%	★★★★☆
2017	82.6	59 of 437	86.5%	★★★★☆
2016	80.3	70 of 435	83.9%	★★★★☆
2015	85.1	49 of 482	89.8%	★★★★★
2014	83.3	57 of 470	87.9%	★★★★☆
2013	81.2	60 of 457	86.9%	★★★★☆
2012	79.5	67 of 442	84.8%	★★★★☆
2011	87.8	23 of 412	94.4%	★★★★★
2010	88.0	22 of 408	94.6%	★★★★★
2009	90.2	20 of 425	95.3%	★★★★★
2008	92.4	16 of 413	96.1%	★★★★★
2007	92.7	13 of 396	96.7%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	85.4	34 of 344	90.1%	★★★★★
2025	80.8	42 of 344	87.8%	★★★★☆
2024	73.5	68 of 333	79.6%	★★★★☆
2023	86.5	28 of 360	92.2%	★★★★★
2022	82.6	41 of 360	88.6%	★★★★☆
2021	87.3	29 of 352	91.8%	★★★★★
2019	60.2	118 of 338	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	75.5	50 of 313	84.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	81.1	75 of 434	82.7%	★★★★☆
2025	71.5	121 of 415	70.8%	★★★★☆
2024	60.2	171 of 415	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.3	185 of 444	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	63.0	161 of 441	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	82.0	62 of 441	85.9%	★★★★☆
2019	60.0	180 of 418	56.9%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	83.2	61 of 450	86.4%	★★★★☆
2025	72.4	108 of 437	75.3%	★★★★☆
2024	71.6	110 of 444	75.2%	★★★★☆
2023	75.1	90 of 459	80.4%	★★★★☆
2022	83.9	50 of 458	89.1%	★★★★☆
2021	83.8	53 of 455	88.4%	★★★★☆
2019	72.4	109 of 430	74.7%	★★★★☆
2018	77.8	71 of 403	82.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	79.7	85 of 435	80.5%	★★★★☆
2025	63.4	147 of 414	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.2	151 of 426	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	74.0	106 of 443	76.1%	★★★★☆
2022	86.0	43 of 442	90.3%	★★★★★
2021	70.6	125 of 442	71.7%	★★★★☆
2019	75.7	94 of 418	77.5%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	75.9	75 of 338	77.8%	★★★★☆
2025	64.4	117 of 316	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.6	100 of 320	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.9	191 of 352	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	80.0	47 of 362	87.0%	★★★★☆
2021	76.6	73 of 358	79.6%	★★★★☆
2019	78.2	53 of 350	84.9%	★★★★☆
2018	73.7	77 of 338	77.2%	★★★★☆

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

White (2026)87th percentile+16 vs school

African American (2026)85th percentile+15 vs school

Female (2026)75th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)65th percentile-6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)64th percentile-7 vs school

Middle school

African American (2026)90th percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)86th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)83rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)80th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)78th percentile-6 vs school

By subject vs Louisiana (2025-2026) ?

English I94%+28 vs state

Mathematics81%+19 vs state

English Language Arts81%+11 vs state

Social Studies63%+8 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary

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

What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I have been very please with this school. The faculty and staff have been very supportive and really care about the students. I have 2 children enrolled and they are very happy at John L Ory. This school challenges my children academically and gives them a healthy social environment. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, March 1, 2009

I am really excited that this school is in my parish and I would recommend this school to any parent who has kids that are eligible to attend. My children will have an excellent elementary school experience. Close Quote

Schools Near John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary

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)							LEAP English I (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 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 5th 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 English I End of Course	Total
John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary	Public	K-8	182 West Fifth Street	La Place	70068	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 651-3700	428	30	14.0	63.6%	117 (27.3%)	253 (59.1%)	38 (8.9%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.0%)	73.4	201^st of 690 public elementary schools	70.9%		83.7	101^st of 666 public elementary schools	84.8%	100	82.0	84.0			78.0	84.0	81.0	76.0	73.0			86.0	81.0	81.0	55.0	56.0	63.0	69.0	65.0	71.0	63.0	94.0	$17,478
Emily C. Watkins Elementary	Public	PK, KG-8	938 LA Highway 628	La Place	70068	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 652-1593	551	45	12.1	80.6%	79 (14.3%)	310 (56.3%)	136 (24.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.1%)	19 (3.4%)	36.3	465^th of 690 public elementary schools	32.6%		38.9	423^rd of 666 public elementary schools	36.5%	42	34.0	50.0	52.0	66.0	72.0	42.0	52.0	37.0	58.0	66.0	82.0	72.0	63.0	62.0		45.0	50.0	45.0	67.0	56.0	45.0		$19,484
LaPlace Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	393 Greenwood Drive	La Place	70068	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 652-5552	710	49	14.4	86.5%	50 (7.0%)	515 (72.5%)	130 (18.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (2.1%)	28	527^th of 690 public elementary schools	23.6%		30.2	490^th of 666 public elementary schools	26.4%	37	37.0	63.0	40.0	55.0	44.0	51.0	48.0	46.0	63.0	64.0	70.0	56.0	55.0	59.0	27.0	46.0	29.0	35.0	32.0	43.0	35.0		$17,640
Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	3328 Hwy 51	La Place	70068	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 652-2003	754	55	13.6	78.5%	20 (2.7%)	527 (69.9%)	195 (25.9%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.9%)	59.7	301^st of 690 public elementary schools	56.4%		59.6	304^th of 666 public elementary schools	54.4%	3	65.0	74.0	71.0	73.0	66.0	56.0	67.0	65.0	75.0	74.0		73.0	79.0	75.0	54.0	38.0	47.0	60.0	63.0	51.0	52.0		$17,887
Fifth Ward Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	158 Panther Drive	Reserve	70084	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 536-4221	306	26	11.8	86.9%	13 (4.2%)	238 (77.8%)	50 (16.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)								(n/a)																							$21,091
West St. John Elementary School (K-7)	Public	PK, KG-7	2555 La Hwy. 18	Edgard	70049	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 497-3347	188	24	7.9	88.8%	0 (0.0%)	187 (99.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	46	390^th of 690 public elementary schools	43.5%		45.1	384^th of 666 public elementary schools	42.3%	6	56.0	48.0	61.0	79.0	59.0		59.0	64.0		56.0	71.0	73.0		59.0	57.0	22.0	40.0	64.0	37.0		40.0		$25,436
Norco Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	102 Fifth Street	Norco	70079	St. Charles Parish	St. Charles Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 764-7079	501	55	9.0	38.5%	365 (72.9%)	60 (12.0%)	37 (7.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (7.2%)	89.4	59^th of 690 public elementary schools	91.4%		92.5	37^th of 666 public elementary schools	94.4%	22	88.0		92.0				93.0	82.0	91.0					88.0	60.0	80.0	83.0				73.0		$25,168
Garyville/Mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet School	Public	PK, KG-8	240 Hwy 54	Garyville	70051	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 535-5400	305	32	9.6	84.3%	7 (2.3%)	243 (79.7%)	36 (11.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.2%)	42.6	421^st of 690 public elementary schools	39.0%		34	468^th of 666 public elementary schools	29.7%	47	80.0	65.0	47.0	66.0	79.0	54.0	66.0	46.0	53.0			83.0	66.0	64.0	45.0	51.0	34.0	56.0	59.0	38.0	46.0		$22,974
Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School	Public	3-5	140 Plantation Road	Destrehan	70047	St. Charles Parish	St. Charles Parish	No	No	No	No	(985) 725-0123	381	36	10.6	41.7%	207 (54.3%)	103 (27.0%)	44 (11.5%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (6.0%)	83.2	107^th of 690 public elementary schools	84.5%		85	91^st of 666 public elementary schools	86.3%	16	86.0	82.0	83.0				83.0	79.0	87.0					83.0	59.0	68.0	71.0				65.0		$23,046
New Sarpy Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	130 Plantation Road	Destrehan	70047	St. Charles Parish	St. Charles Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 764-1275	417	42	9.9	37.9%	222 (53.2%)	111 (26.6%)	63 (15.1%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.8%)								(n/a)																							$24,109

Frequently Asked Questions about John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary

How many students attend John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 428 students attended John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary.

Is John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary a good school?

John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary ranks 201^st of 690 Louisiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary in?

St. John the Baptist Parish

What is the racial makeup of John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary?

Students at John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary are 59% African American, 27% White, 9% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

Rate John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

LALouisiana Elementary School Rankings

LALouisiana District Rankings

Schools in La Place, LA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary!

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.