Summary:
In Tensas Parish, there is one elementary school, Tensas Elementary School, serving grades PK through 5 in Saint Joseph, Louisiana, with a total enrollment of 154 students and a high rate of economic disadvantage, as 96.1% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Tensas Elementary School has historically been a standout, earning a 3-star rating in the two previous school years despite being in a 1-star district. The school shows particular strength in mathematics, with 69% of 4th graders proficient, exceeding the state average of 67%, and 59% of 5th graders proficient, nearly matching the state average of 61%. English Language Arts (ELA) performance is also a highlight, with 73% of all students proficient in the 2024-2025 school year, above the state average of 70%. However, the most recent data (2025-2026) shows a significant drop in state ranking from the 65th percentile to the 32nd percentile, indicating a notable decline in overall performance.
A critical area of concern is Social Studies, where the school's overall proficiency rate of 32% is dramatically lower than the state average of 55%, with 5th graders particularly struggling at only 18% proficiency. Chronic absenteeism affects roughly 40 students (26.1%), which is better than the district average of 32.7% but worse than the state average of 22.5%. The school also shows an inconsistent grade-level pattern, with math proficiency jumping from 45% in 3rd grade to 69% in 4th grade, then dropping to 59% in 5th grade, suggesting a need for stronger support for upper elementary students. The student-to-teacher ratio is a favorable 12.8:1.
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