LaSalle Junior High School

LaSalle Junior High School in Urania, LA, serves 144 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the highly-rated LaSalle Parish school district, which ranks in the 93rd percentile statewide. This school has shown a remarkable upward trajectory, rising from the 68th percentile a decade ago to an elite 96th percentile in the 2025-2026 school year, earning a 5-star rating. It significantly outperforms nearby schools like Jena Junior High School (same district, 76th percentile) and Caldwell Parish Junior High School (neighboring district, 31st percentile) in state rankings and academic proficiency.

LaSalle’s academic proficiency rates are exceptionally high and well above state averages. In mathematics, 90% of students are proficient compared to the state average of 62%, while English Language Arts proficiency stands at 93% versus the state’s 70%. The school is particularly effective at supporting male students, who rank in the 97th percentile statewide, and students from low-income households, who rank in the 96th percentile despite a 64.58% free/reduced lunch rate. This demonstrates that LaSalle has implemented successful strategies to close achievement gaps, a feat not matched by its peers in the region.

However, the school faces a significant challenge with chronic absenteeism, which sits at 28.8%—higher than both the district and state averages. This paradox suggests that while attending students achieve at elite levels, a substantial portion of the student body may be disengaged or facing barriers to regular attendance. Additionally, the performance of White students has shown some volatility, likely due to the small student population, but the overall trend remains strong. LaSalle’s sustained improvement and ability to outperform neighboring schools highlight its status as a standout institution in rural Louisiana, driven by effective leadership and a strong school culture.