Summary:
The city of Lecompte, Louisiana, is home to two public schools within the highly-rated Rapides Parish school district, serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in a community facing significant socioeconomic challenges.
Rapides High School (grades 9-12, 248 students) stands out for its strong student outcomes, boasting a graduation rate of 90.4% and a low dropout rate of 1.5%, both better than state averages. However, its academic performance is volatile, with test scores declining in recent years and a state ranking in the 42nd percentile. In contrast, Carter C. Raymond Junior High School (grades PK-8, 124 students) has a very favorable 7:1 student-teacher ratio but struggles academically, ranking in the 36th percentile. A remarkable exception is its 6th-grade class, which achieved 100% proficiency in English Language Arts and 93% in Mathematics, far exceeding district and state averages. Both schools serve high-poverty populations, with free/reduced lunch rates of 80.65% at the high school and 96.77% at the junior high.
The most critical issue for both schools is chronic absenteeism, with rates of 34.4% at Rapides High and 30.6% at Carter C. Raymond—dramatically higher than the district (17.5%) and state (22.5%) averages. This systemic problem likely undermines academic progress, even where resources like small class sizes exist. The 6th-grade anomaly at Carter C. Raymond proves high achievement is possible in this context, offering a potential blueprint for improvement. Overall, while the district earns a 4-star rating, Lecompte's schools face unique challenges that require targeted interventions to address absenteeism and stabilize academic performance.
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