Summary
Mansfield High School in Mansfield, LA, is a small high school serving 327 students in grades 9-12 within the DeSoto Parish school district, a high-performing district overall, but the school itself has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Louisiana high schools, currently holding a 2-star rating (33rd percentile). The school serves a predominantly low-income population, with over 82% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and faces significant challenges compared to its district peer, North DeSoto High School, which is a top-performing 5-star school (91st percentile) with a much lower free/reduced lunch rate of 40.64%.
The most striking difference between the two schools is academic performance. For example, in Algebra I, only 39% of Mansfield students are proficient, compared to 91% at North DeSoto, and in English I, proficiency is 33% versus 77%. Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue at Mansfield, with a rate of 27.3%—significantly higher than the district average of 19.4% and the state average of 22.5%. This likely drives the low test scores, as students who miss class cannot learn effectively. However, there is a bright spot: the school ranks in the 52nd percentile for serving its African American students, earning 3 stars, which is notably better than its overall performance.
Despite academic struggles, Mansfield High School shows strength in keeping students on track to graduate. The most recent graduation rate of 94.6% is well above the state average of 82.7%, and the dropout rate has dropped to just 0.6%. Test scores vary by subject, with 63% proficient in English II but only 33% in English I, and 55% proficient in Geometry versus 39% in Algebra I. This inconsistency suggests areas for improvement, but the school’s ability to ensure students earn diplomas is a positive takeaway for parents considering this school.
Thank you for your feedback!