DeRidder Elementary School

DeRidder Elementary School in DeRidder, LA, serves 490 students in grades 2 through 4 within the Beauregard Parish district, where over 61% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, the lowest among nearby schools, yet its overall academic performance places it in the 42nd percentile statewide with a 2-star rating. While math proficiency dips to 51% in 3rd grade, 4th graders achieve 73% proficiency—the highest in the area—suggesting strong growth in math instruction between grades. However, English Language Arts (64%) and Social Studies (47%) scores fall below both district and state averages, with Social Studies being the lowest among comparable schools.

DeRidder Elementary shows notable strengths in supporting specific student groups, ranking in the 64th percentile for Special Education students, which is its highest-performing subgroup. This indicates effective interventions and support systems. In contrast, the school faces challenges with other subgroups, including a low ranking for Military Connected students, which is significant given the school's proximity to Fort Johnson. The school also has the smallest class sizes in the region, but this resource has not translated into top-tier overall test scores, suggesting other factors like curriculum or attendance may be limiting progress. Chronic absenteeism data is unavailable for DeRidder, but nearby K.R. Hanchey Elementary School reports a high rate of 27.2%, which could be a contributing factor.

Comparing DeRidder to nearby schools reveals stark contrasts. Just 4.5 miles away, Rosepine Elementary School in the Vernon Parish district outperforms DeRidder in every subject, with 89% ELA proficiency versus DeRidder's 64%. This highlights how district policies and school leadership can dramatically impact outcomes, even in close geographic proximity. For parents, DeRidder Elementary offers small class sizes and strong math growth in later grades, but overall academic proficiency lags behind peers, and targeted support for certain student groups remains an area for improvement.