Summary:
There is one elementary school, Willow Charter Academy, located in Lafayette, LA, serving grades K-8 with a total enrollment of 605 students and operating as its own district, Willow Charter Academy.
Willow Charter Academy is a standout for its impressive academic turnaround. After two years of below-average performance, the school jumped to a 3-star rating in 2025-2026, moving from the 47th to the 58th percentile in state rankings. This improvement is particularly noteworthy given that 98.18% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. The school excels in Mathematics, with a 75% proficiency rate that is 13 points above the state average of 62%. English Language Arts proficiency is at 71%, matching the state average, while Social Studies is a clear weakness at 49% proficiency, below the state average of 55%. The school also boasts a very low dropout rate of 0.9%, compared to the state average of 3.1%.
A fascinating pattern emerges in grade-level performance: 6th grade is the peak year, with 89% proficiency in ELA and 82% in Math, both dramatically exceeding state averages. Conversely, 4th grade is a relative low point, falling below state averages in both subjects. Chronic absenteeism is slightly above the state average at 24.6%, and the student-teacher ratio is exceptionally high at 34.4:1. Despite these challenges, the school’s upward trajectory and strong math performance tell a compelling story of resilience and effective instructional strategies, making it a school to watch for continued improvement.
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