Union Parish

The Union Parish school district in Louisiana serves 1,555 students across three public schools: Union Parish High School (grades 6-12), Union Parish Elementary School (PK-5), and Downsville Community Charter School (PK-12, alternative school). The district ranks 79th out of 116 in Louisiana, earning a 2-star rating, indicating below-average performance overall.

The most striking finding is that Downsville Community Charter School, an alternative school, is the district's academic leader. It outperforms both district and state averages in nearly every subject, with 72% proficiency in English Language Arts and 66% in Mathematics, compared to the district's 52% and 47%, respectively. This success is especially notable given that 60.85% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In stark contrast, Union Parish High School struggles profoundly, particularly in 8th Grade Math where only 6% of students are proficient—a 56-point gap compared to Downsville's 62%. The high school's state ranking has also declined from the 21st percentile to the 7th percentile over recent years. Union Parish Elementary School shows mixed results, with strong 4th Grade Math (76% proficiency) but a sharp drop in 5th Grade Math (35%), and a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 30.5% that likely undermines academic progress.

Key takeaways for parents: Downsville Community Charter School proves that high poverty does not dictate low performance, making it a standout choice despite its alternative classification. However, the district faces systemic challenges, especially at Union Parish High School, where math proficiency is critically low and rankings are falling. Union Parish Elementary School provides a shaky foundation for later grades, with chronic absenteeism a major concern. While student-teacher ratios are favorable across all schools (11.4:1 to 12.5:1), the performance gap between Downsville and the other two schools is the most important factor for families to consider when evaluating educational options in the area.