Best High Schools in Deville, LA

Deville, Louisiana, is home to a single high school, Buckeye High School, which serves grades 6 through 12 and is part of the Rapides Parish school district, enrolling 915 students. This school stands out as a high-performing institution that consistently exceeds both district and state averages across nearly all academic subjects, with a state ranking that has improved for three consecutive years, reaching the 78th percentile (4 stars) in the 2025-2026 school year. Despite serving a student body where 59.23% qualify for free or reduced lunch, Buckeye achieves impressive results, including a 92.1% graduation rate, a low 1.1% dropout rate, and overall proficiency rates of 78% in mathematics, 85% in English Language Arts, and 64% in social studies—all well above the state averages of 62%, 70%, and 55%, respectively.

A key metric to note is the school's student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, which supports personalized instruction and likely contributes to its strong academic outcomes. However, the most striking finding is a "chronic absenteeism paradox": despite top-tier performance, Buckeye has a chronic absenteeism rate of 25.4%, significantly higher than the district's 17.5% and the state's 22.5%. This suggests that while regularly attending students excel, a substantial portion of the student body misses significant school days, which could pose a future risk if not addressed. The school's unique structure as a grade 6-12 feeder pattern also appears beneficial, as middle school students (grades 6-8) perform well above state averages, creating a strong foundation for high school success.

For parents, Buckeye High School offers a clear picture of academic excellence and continuous improvement, with standout performance in subjects like Geometry (78% proficiency vs. 57% statewide) and 7th Grade ELA (91% vs. 71% statewide). The school's ability to achieve these results while serving a majority low-income community highlights its effectiveness in overcoming socioeconomic challenges. While the chronic absenteeism rate warrants attention, the overall data points to a school with strong leadership, effective teaching, and a positive upward trajectory, making it a compelling choice for families in Deville seeking a high-quality education for their children.