Summary:
The four middle schools in the St. Martin Parish school district serve grades 6-8, with the exception of Parks Middle School which also includes grades 4 and 5, and all schools serve a student population with a high level of economic disadvantage.
Parks Middle School stands out as the top performer, achieving the highest state rank and the only 3-star rating in the district. It leads in Mathematics proficiency (64%) and ties for the lead in Social Studies (48%). Most impressively, it has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (14.8%), far below the district average of 26.4%, despite having the second-highest poverty rate. In contrast, Breaux Bridge Junior High School faces the greatest challenges, with the lowest state rank and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (35.8%), which is significantly above both the district and state averages. While Breaux Bridge leads in English Language Arts (72% proficient), its overall performance is hampered by a steep decline in math scores from 6th to 8th grade. Cecilia Junior High School offers a hidden strength with an exceptional Algebra I program, where students achieve 87% proficiency, far exceeding state averages.
A critical district-wide issue is chronic absenteeism, which is highly uneven across schools. Social Studies is a clear weakness for all schools, with none reaching the state average of 55% proficiency. Additionally, there is a troubling trend of declining math proficiency as students move from 6th to 8th grade, particularly at Breaux Bridge and Cecilia, suggesting a systemic issue with upper-grade math instruction. Parks Middle School serves as a model for success in a high-poverty area, demonstrating that strong engagement and low absenteeism can drive academic achievement.
Thank you for your feedback!