Middle Schools in Terrebonne Parish

This analysis examines seven middle schools in the Terrebonne Parish school district in Louisiana, serving grades 4-6 to 7-8, with enrollments ranging from 225 to 673 students, and the district itself is ranked 25th out of 116 in the state.

Montegut Middle School stands out as the top performer, holding the highest state ranking (114th) and achieving exceptional test scores in math (78%), English (81%), and social studies (66%), all well above district and state averages, while also having the lowest dropout rate (0.4%). Lacache Middle School is a math powerhouse, with a 76% math proficiency rate and the highest single subject-grade score in the dataset (89% in 6th-grade math), though its overall ranking has dropped significantly from 60th to 170th. In contrast, Oaklawn Middle School and Grand Caillou Middle School face the greatest challenges, with the lowest state rankings (330th and 267th), 1- and 2-star ratings, and the highest percentages of students receiving free/reduced lunch (84.9% and 86.52%). Caldwell Middle School serves as a consistent middle ground, with the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (22.2%) and test scores generally on par with district averages.

Chronic absenteeism is a pervasive issue, with every school except Caldwell exceeding the state average of 22.5%, and Grand Caillou (35.4%), Oaklawn (34.2%), and Lacache (34.3%) having the highest rates. Social studies proficiency is a universal challenge, as only Montegut and Houma Junior High School exceed the district average of 59%. While Evergreen Junior High School performs well in English (77%), math proficiency varies widely, from Montegut and Lacache's strong scores to Oaklawn's 50%. Montegut's success, despite a majority of economically disadvantaged students (57.63%), suggests that factors like effective teaching and school culture can drive achievement, while the stark correlation between high poverty and low performance at Oaklawn and Grand Caillou highlights ongoing challenges.