Schools in Ferriday, LA

The city of Ferriday, Louisiana, is served by six public schools spanning pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and two alternative schools, all operating within a community facing significant economic challenges.

For parents, the standout school in Ferriday is Delta Charter School MST, which consistently outperforms its peers. Despite being an alternative school, it achieves graduation rates (89.7%) and test scores in English and math that are close to state averages, a stark contrast to the other schools. In comparison, the four traditional schools in the Concordia Parish district—Ferriday Lower Elementary School, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, Ferriday Junior High School, and Ferriday High School—all struggle academically, with proficiency rates often 10-20 points below the state average. However, Ferriday High School does boast a strong graduation rate of 89.9%, matching the charter school. The most challenged school is Concordia Education Center, an alternative school with only 26 students where proficiency rates in math and social studies are just 5%.

Key metrics reveal a mixed picture. Chronic absenteeism is a widespread issue, affecting over 20% of students at most schools, though Ferriday Junior High School (11.8%) and Ferriday Upper Elementary School (12.9%) are notable exceptions. Student-teacher ratios are generally favorable, with Ferriday High School at 9.3:1 and Concordia Education Center at an exceptionally low 4:1. An interesting finding is the inconsistent performance by grade level; for instance, 4th graders at Ferriday Upper Elementary School achieved 68% proficiency in math (above the state average), but this success is not sustained in later grades. This suggests that while individual teachers or teams may excel, the overall system lacks coherence, making Delta Charter School MST the most reliable choice for consistent academic performance in Ferriday.