Summary:
Start, Louisiana, is home to a single public school, Start Elementary School, a PK-8 institution serving 332 students within the Richland Parish school district.
Start Elementary School stands out as a relative bright spot in a district ranked in the bottom 30% of the state. The school’s greatest academic strength is in English Language Arts (ELA), where 66% of students are proficient, outperforming the district average of 61% and approaching the state average of 70%. This strength is especially pronounced in the upper grades, with 7th and 8th graders significantly exceeding both district and state ELA averages. However, the school faces a clear challenge in mathematics, where only 47% of students are proficient, lagging behind both the district (51%) and state (62%). Social Studies is a relative bright spot, as the school’s 46% proficiency rate exceeds the district average of 42%. The school also boasts a low dropout rate of just 1.7% and a chronic absenteeism rate of 16.4%, both significantly better than district and state averages, indicating strong student engagement and support.
Despite these local strengths, Start Elementary School has seen its state ranking decline from the 36th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 29th percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 1-star rating. This decline is puzzling given that its overall proficiency rates have remained stable, suggesting that other schools across Louisiana are improving at a faster pace. For parents, the key takeaway is that Start Elementary offers a strong literacy program and a supportive environment, but mathematics is a critical area where the school needs improvement to keep pace with statewide gains.
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