Summary:
Patterson, Louisiana is home to a single high school, Patterson High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 and is part of the St. Mary Parish school district, with a total enrollment of 439 students and a high-poverty population where nearly 78% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Patterson High School presents a compelling mix of strengths and challenges. On the positive side, the school has shown remarkable improvement, climbing from the 34th percentile in state rankings two years ago to the 54th percentile (151 out of 325) for the 2025-2026 school year, earning a 3-star rating. It also boasts a strong graduation rate of 92.7%, well above the state average of 85.0%, and a low dropout rate of just 1.3% compared to the state's 3.1%. Academically, the school outperforms its district in key areas, with 75% of students proficient in both Biology and English II, and 66% proficient in English I—all higher than the St. Mary Parish averages. However, the school's most significant weakness is a chronic absenteeism rate of 39.4%, which is nearly double both the district and state averages of around 23%. This paradox—high graduation and low dropout rates alongside severe absenteeism—suggests that while students stay enrolled and earn diplomas, many miss substantial instructional time, which likely limits their academic potential.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Patterson High School is a school on an upward trajectory, with effective instruction in English and science when students are present. The main area for improvement is mathematics, where proficiency in Geometry (48%) and Algebra I (60%) lags behind state averages. The school's rising state ranking and strong graduation outcomes make it a solid choice, but the high absenteeism rate is a critical factor to consider, as it may affect a student's daily learning experience and overall academic growth.
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