Jefferson RISE Charter School

Jefferson RISE Charter School in Harvey, LA, serves 764 students in grades 6 through 12 within the Jefferson Parish school district, and it stands out for its remarkable ability to keep students on track to graduate, boasting a 93.2% graduation rate and a 0.9% dropout rate that far exceed both district and state averages.

This school is a standout for its exceptional support of English Language Learners, ranking in the top 5% of the state for this group, and it also performs well for its Hispanic and African American students, who earn 3-star ratings. While math scores are a challenge (39% proficiency vs. 62% state), the school shines in English and Social Studies, with 7th-grade Social Studies and End-of-Course English scores meeting or beating district averages. A major win is the dramatic drop in chronic absenteeism to 17.2%, now better than the district and state rates. Compared to nearby John Ehret High School, Jefferson RISE has a much higher graduation rate (93.2% vs. 87.6%), a lower dropout rate (0.9% vs. 3.8%), and less than half the chronic absenteeism (17.2% vs. 38.2%), suggesting its smaller charter environment creates a more supportive atmosphere.

However, the school presents a "graduation vs. proficiency" paradox: it excels at getting students to the finish line but struggles with academic benchmarks, especially in math. While it has improved its statewide ranking from a 1-star to a 2-star over five years, there is room for growth. For comparison, Fisher Middle/High School, just 1.7 miles away, is a top-performing 4-star school with higher test scores and a lower poverty rate, highlighting an opportunity for Jefferson RISE to learn from its neighbor's math and science instruction. Overall, this school is a strong choice for families prioritizing graduation and a supportive environment, especially for English Language Learners and students from diverse backgrounds.