Elementary Schools in Union Parish

There is one elementary school in Union Parish, Union Parish Elementary School, serving grades PK through 5 in Farmerville, Louisiana, with a total enrollment of 506 students.

Union Parish Elementary School is a school of stark contrasts. It shows a notable strength in 4th-grade Mathematics, where 76% of students are proficient—9 points above the state average. However, this success is followed by a dramatic "5th-grade cliff," with proficiency in 5th-grade Math dropping 41 points to just 35%. The school's state ranking has been in a steep decline, falling from the 5th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 17th percentile in 2025-2026, placing it in the bottom quintile of Louisiana elementary schools. Overall proficiency rates are low: 49% in Math, 43% in English Language Arts, and 36% in Social Studies, all below state averages. A major systemic issue is chronic absenteeism, which stands at 30.5%, significantly higher than the district (23.4%) and state (22.5%) averages. The school serves a high-needs population, with 77.87% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

The most critical takeaway is the "4th Grade Peak" phenomenon, where a specific grade excels, particularly in Math, suggesting an effective teacher or program that could be replicated. Conversely, the "5th Grade Cliff" demands immediate attention, as the transition to 5th grade represents a major academic hurdle. The favorable student-teacher ratio of 12:1 does not translate into strong academic outcomes, indicating that the core challenges are likely driven by high poverty and chronic absenteeism rather than class size. While the ranking has improved slightly, it remains in the bottom 20% of the state, and the school's performance is stagnant or declining in key areas like 5th grade. Addressing absenteeism and understanding what works in 4th grade are the most promising paths for improvement.