High Schools in Plaquemines Parish

The two high schools in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, serve grades 7 through 12 and present a stark contrast in performance, with Belle Chasse High School acting as a high-achieving academic anchor and South Plaquemines High School facing significant challenges despite a lower student-teacher ratio.

Belle Chasse High School is the clear standout, ranking in the 89th percentile statewide with an enrollment of 883 students. It boasts exceptional academic outcomes, including a 95% graduation rate and a remarkably low 0.2% dropout rate. Its proficiency rates in Algebra I (82%) and U.S. History (82%) are 27 points above the state average, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 19.1% is below the state average. In contrast, South Plaquemines High School, with 355 students, ranks in the 56th percentile and struggles with a chronic absenteeism rate of 42.9%—more than double that of Belle Chasse and nearly double the state average. While South Plaquemines has a lower student-teacher ratio (9.4:1) and a 90.9% graduation rate, its academic performance is inconsistent, with English II proficiency dropping to just 52% in the 2025-2026 school year.

The most significant takeaway is the profound achievement gap within the same district. Belle Chasse High School consistently outperforms state averages, while South Plaquemines High School often falls below them, particularly in math and specific English exams. The high chronic absenteeism at South Plaquemines appears to be a major barrier to learning, overwhelming the potential benefit of smaller class sizes. Both schools, however, maintain graduation rates above the state average of 85%, suggesting that while academic outcomes differ, both institutions have systems in place to help students complete their high school education.