Summary:
The five high schools in the Vermilion Parish school district serve grades 9 through 12 (with Gueydan High School also serving grades 6-8) and are located in a highly-rated Louisiana district that ranks 14th out of 116 in the state.
North Vermilion High School is the clear top performer, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 20th in Louisiana. It leads the district with exceptional proficiency rates (averaging 82.5% across core subjects), a 0% dropout rate, and the lowest chronic absenteeism (23.3%). In contrast, Abbeville High School faces the most significant challenges, with the lowest state ranking (259th), a 1-star rating, and the highest rates of economic disadvantage (74.69% free/reduced lunch), chronic absenteeism (44.7%), and dropout rate (4.7%). Its average proficiency of 41.3% is drastically lower than the district average of 71.5%. Gueydan High School is a standout for its remarkable improvement, jumping 97 places in state ranking over three years to reach a 4-star rating, despite serving a small student body with a high rate of economic disadvantage. Erath High School and Kaplan High School fall in the middle, with Erath contributing to the district's strong overall performance.
A key takeaway is the strong link between economic factors and academic outcomes, as schools with lower poverty rates consistently outperform those with higher ones. Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide concern, with every school exceeding the state average of 22.5%. While Gueydan High School demonstrates that a small school with a low student-teacher ratio can thrive, Abbeville High School shows that this is not a guaranteed formula for success. Overall, the district is buoyed by its top schools, but a significant equity gap exists, particularly for Abbeville, which requires targeted support to improve its graduation rate of 80.7% and overall performance.
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