Herndon Magnet School

Herndon Magnet School in Belcher, LA, is a K-8 school serving 701 students within the Caddo Parish district, and it stands out as a top-tier academic performer in a region where many nearby schools struggle.

Herndon Magnet is a consistent academic powerhouse, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for eight of the last nine years and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide—placing it in the top 5% of all Louisiana elementary schools. Its test scores are dramatically higher than both the district and state averages, with 93% of students proficient in Math and English Language Arts, compared to just 51% and 60% in the district, respectively. This success is not limited to one group; the school ranks in the 98th percentile for both African American students and those from low socio-economic backgrounds, showing it effectively closes achievement gaps. In contrast, nearby schools like Pine Grove Elementary and North Caddo Elementary-Middle School rank in the bottom 11th percentile of the state. Herndon also boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of 16.7%, nearly half the district average of 31.0% and well below the state average of 22.5%.

What makes Herndon especially impressive is that it achieves results comparable to affluent suburban schools in the neighboring Bossier Parish district, such as Legacy Elementary (97th percentile) and Kingston Elementary (96th percentile), while serving a student body where 34% qualify for free or reduced lunch—a higher percentage than those Bossier schools. The school’s performance is remarkably consistent, even rebounding quickly after a pandemic-related dip. A notable highlight is the 5th grade, which achieved near-perfect 99% proficiency in both Math and English Language Arts in the 2025-2026 school year, suggesting a particularly strong cohort or teaching team.