Summary:
The city of Broussard, Louisiana, is served by three public schools within the Lafayette Parish school district, including two elementary schools and one middle school, serving a total of 1,620 students.
Martial Billeaud Elementary School is the standout school in the area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 86th percentile statewide. It achieves exceptional academic proficiency (80% in math and 83% in English Language Arts) while maintaining a low chronic absenteeism rate of just 8.4%, far below the district average of 24.0%. In contrast, Katharine Drexel Elementary School faces greater challenges, with the highest poverty rate (71.01% free/reduced lunch), a higher student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, and lower test scores (59% math, 65% ELA). Broussard Middle School shows a mixed performance: it excels in English Language Arts (79% proficiency, outperforming the district and state), but its math scores (66%) only match the state average. The middle school also has a concerning chronic absenteeism rate of 28.1%, which is significantly higher than both the district and state averages.
A key takeaway is the stark contrast between the two elementary schools, which are located just miles apart but serve very different student populations. The low absenteeism at Martial Billeaud (8.4%) compared to Katharine Drexel (17.7%) and the middle school (28.1%) suggests that attendance is a critical factor driving academic success. The sharp increase in absenteeism from elementary to middle school indicates a potential issue with the middle school environment itself, rather than a problem imported from the elementary grades. Overall, while Martial Billeaud Elementary is a clear asset to the community, Broussard Middle School’s attendance crisis and Katharine Drexel’s resource needs highlight areas where targeted support could improve outcomes for all students.
Thank you for your feedback!