Best Public Schools in Mamou, LA

The city of Mamou, Louisiana, is served by three public schools within the Evangeline Parish school district, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 60th percentile statewide. These schools—Mamou High School (grades 9-12), Mamou Elementary School (grades PK-4), and Mamou Junior High (grades 5-8)—all serve a student population with high economic disadvantage, as free/reduced lunch rates range from 69.5% to 79.1%.

Mamou Elementary School is the standout performer, having achieved 4-star ratings in recent years and consistently outperforming state averages in Math (75% proficient vs. 62% state) and English Language Arts (71% vs. 70% state). It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the city at 17.9%, well below the state average of 22.5%. In contrast, Mamou Junior High is the most challenged school, with a consistent 2-star rating and a dramatic drop in math proficiency from 70% in 6th grade to just 36% in 8th grade. Mamou High School presents a paradox: it has a critically high chronic absenteeism rate of 38.2%, yet achieves strong scores in Algebra I (73% vs. 65% state) and Geometry (65% vs. 57% state), along with a very low dropout rate of 0.4%.

Key takeaways include a severe "middle school slump" in math at Mamou Junior High, where proficiency plummets from elementary levels, while English Language Arts remains a strength across all schools. Mamou High School excels in high-stakes subjects and student retention despite high absenteeism, and Mamou Elementary School defies economic odds with strong academic performance. The junior high also shows an isolated success in 8th Grade Social Studies (61% proficient), matching the state average and far exceeding the district's 49%.