Jefferson School

Jefferson School in Jefferson, LA, is a public elementary and middle school (PK-8) serving 619 students within the Jefferson Parish school district. Over the past decade, the school has experienced a significant downward trend in academic performance, now ranking in the 24th percentile statewide and earning a 1-star rating, which places it well below many nearby schools.

One of the most striking findings is the school's proximity to much higher-performing neighbors. For instance, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, located just half a mile away, ranks in the 66th percentile and has a chronic absenteeism rate of only 7.3%, compared to Jefferson School's 23.1%. This high absenteeism rate is a major concern, as it is significantly above the state average and far higher than nearby schools like Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies (3.6%) and Bridgedale Elementary School (10.0%). The data suggests that school-level factors, not the surrounding community, are driving these differences.

Despite the overall challenges, there are a few bright spots. Jefferson School's 7th graders achieved a 69% proficiency rate in both Math and English Language Arts, which is above district and state averages. Additionally, students taking End of Course exams have shown very high proficiency rates, though this may reflect a select group of students. However, these isolated successes do not indicate a school-wide turnaround. The school's performance for students receiving special education services has also seen a dramatic decline, dropping from the 72nd percentile to the 4th percentile in just a few years. For parents, this data paints a picture of a school facing systemic challenges that require significant intervention to reverse its downward trajectory.