Summary:
The city of Arcadia, Louisiana, is served by two public schools within the Bienville Parish school district: Crawford Elementary School (grades PK-5) and Arcadia High School (grades 6-12), with a combined enrollment of 526 students and both serving a high-poverty population where over 87% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Crawford Elementary School is the standout performer in the area, earning a consistent 3-star rating from Schooldigger and ranking in the 50th percentile or higher statewide. It excels particularly in Mathematics, where its 71% proficiency rate outpaces both the district and state averages. The school also boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of 12.4%, which is nearly half the district and state averages. In contrast, Arcadia High School faces more challenges, with a 2-star rating and significant academic weaknesses in specific End of Course exams, such as U.S. History (15% proficiency vs. 55% state) and Geometry (48% vs. 57% state). However, the high school maintains a strong graduation rate of 94.9% and a low dropout rate of 2.2%, both better than state averages.
A key takeaway is the stark contrast between the two schools. While Crawford Elementary provides a strong foundation in math and attendance, Arcadia High School struggles with chronic absenteeism (25.3%) and volatile test scores year-over-year, likely due to its small cohort of 248 students. The high school's ability to graduate students despite high absenteeism suggests effective intervention programs, but the transition from a high-performing elementary to a struggling high school represents a critical point for student success in Arcadia. Overall, parents should note the elementary school's math strength and the high school's graduation success, while being aware of the academic and attendance challenges at the secondary level.
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