Dularge Elementary School

Dularge Elementary School in Houma, LA, is a small, high-performing school serving 244 students in grades PK through 6, and it is part of the Terrebonne Parish school district. This school consistently earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the top 10% of all Louisiana elementary schools, a remarkable achievement given that over 80% of its students come from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Dularge’s academic proficiency rates are exceptional, significantly outpacing both district and state averages. In Mathematics, the school achieved a 90% proficiency rate, which is 21 points above the district and 28 points above the state. In English Language Arts, it scored 89% proficient, and in Social Studies, it reached an impressive 82%—a staggering 27 points above the state average. This performance is on par with top nearby schools like Mulberry Elementary School, but Dularge achieves these results with a much higher poverty rate and a chronic absenteeism rate of 22.8%. This suggests that the school’s instructional strategies and support systems are exceptionally effective at overcoming challenges associated with poverty, making its success particularly noteworthy.

The school’s small size and very low student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1—the lowest among all nearby schools—likely contribute to its ability to provide individualized attention and build a strong community. While Dularge’s math scores have remained incredibly stable, its ELA proficiency has seen a slight dip, and chronic absenteeism remains a persistent challenge. However, the school’s outstanding performance with its student subgroups, including ranking in the 94th percentile statewide for low socio-economic status students, underscores its effectiveness. For parents seeking a school that delivers top-tier academic results while serving a diverse student body, Dularge Elementary stands out as a model of excellence in the district.