Summary:
The two public high schools in St. John the Baptist Parish, East St. John High School and West St. John High School, serve grades 9 through 12 and present a stark contrast in size, engagement, and academic performance, making it essential for parents to look beyond district averages.
West St. John High School is a standout for student retention, boasting a 92.1% graduation rate and a remarkably low 1.8% dropout rate, both far better than state averages. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 9.1% is the best in the parish. However, this success in keeping students in school contrasts sharply with its academic struggles, particularly in math, where only 18% of students were proficient. In contrast, East St. John High School, with 1,293 students, faces systemic challenges: a 34% chronic absenteeism rate, an 8% dropout rate, and a 74.1% graduation rate. Its state ranking has remained stagnant in the 20th percentile, while West St. John is improving, moving from the 16th to the 32nd percentile.
The key takeaway for parents is the profound impact of school size. West St. John’s small enrollment of 186 students allows for a 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio, fostering the personal connections that likely drive its high engagement. East St. John’s larger environment makes individualized attention harder, contributing to its disengagement crisis. While West St. John excels at keeping students on track to graduate, parents should investigate its academic support in core subjects. East St. John, despite its size, shows some proficiency in English II (61%) and U.S. History (40%), but its overall trend suggests a need for fundamental change. The district’s 3-star rating masks these deep divides, so parents should visit each school to see which environment best fits their child’s needs.
Thank you for your feedback!