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South Plaquemines High School

Q: Is South Plaquemines High School a good school?

South Plaquemines High School ranks 142 nd of 325 Louisiana high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-12

142^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 325 Louisiana High Schools

Better than 56% of Louisiana high schools

Summary

South Plaquemines High School in Buras, LA, serves 355 students in grades 7 through 12 in a rural, high-poverty area where over 75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school has a notable history, having been a top-tier school in Louisiana a decade ago, but it has experienced a sustained decline in state rankings, now performing at a solidly average level. The most critical issue is chronic absenteeism: 42.9% of students were chronically absent in the 2024-2025 school year, which is more than double the Plaquemines Parish district average of 19.6% and nearly double the state average. This absenteeism crisis is the primary barrier to improvement, as it masks the school's strengths. Despite this, the school achieves above-average graduation rates (90.9% vs. 85.0% statewide) and decent test scores in Math (72% proficient) and English Language Arts (79% proficient), though Social Studies proficiency (55%) lags behind the district average (71%). A hidden asset is the very low student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, which allows for personalized learning. The school also shows exceptional performance for its African American students, ranking in the 89th percentile statewide, while its White students rank in the 56th percentile. This suggests that the school's instructional strategies are particularly effective for one group, offering a potential blueprint for improving outcomes for all students.

In summary, South Plaquemines High School is a school with strong potential that is currently held back by a severe student engagement problem. Its low class sizes and above-average graduation rates are significant positives, but the high chronic absenteeism rate—far worse than the district and state—is the key challenge. The school's primary need is not better teaching, but stronger community and family engagement to get students back in the classroom consistently.

355

Students ?

9.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$24,005

Per pupil spending ?

75.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

34121 Highway 23
Buras, LA 70041

(504) 595-6435

District: Plaquemines Parish

Feeder schools for South Plaquemines High School:

Elementary:	Boothville-Venice Elementary School
	South Plaquemines Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

44.8%

White:

28.5%

Asian:

13.5%

See top rated Louisiana high schools

Compare South Plaquemines High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 91st percentile in 2016 → 56th in 2026

Strengths

✓91% graduate in 4 years — above the Louisiana average (85%)

✓Above the Louisiana median (56th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (43% vs 22% Louisiana)

!Ranking has slipped — down 35 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school66%

District avg77%

Louisiana avg62%

Middle school

174^th of 452

Louisiana public middle schools ?

Top 38%▼ down 10 pts since 2016

From top 29% (2016) to top 38% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

142^nd of 325

Louisiana public high schools ?

Top 44%▼ down 35 pts since 2016

From top 9% (2016) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2High Schools in the Plaquemines Parish

23^rd of 116Plaquemines Parish among Louisiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	62.6	174 of 452	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.1	190 of 447	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.5	200 of 449	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.4	188 of 465	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.1	209 of 460	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	56.2	200 of 459	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.1	284 of 449	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	53.2	176 of 411	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	62.5	175 of 437	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2016	70.9	126 of 435	71.0%	★★★★☆
2015	60.8	186 of 482	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2014	59.4	189 of 470	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	72.3	118 of 457	74.2%	★★★★☆
2012	50.3	237 of 442	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	38.7	297 of 412	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	32.8	306 of 408	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	43.3	275 of 425	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	41.7	269 of 413	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	39.8	267 of 396	32.6%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	62.3	111 of 344	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.4	108 of 344	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.1	139 of 333	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.9	92 of 360	74.4%	★★★★☆
2022	67.5	78 of 360	78.3%	★★★★☆
2021	61.9	104 of 352	70.5%	★★★★☆
2019	50.4	158 of 338	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.3	110 of 313	64.9%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2019	28.8	11 of 17	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.3	12 of 17	29.4%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	61.6	170 of 434	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.1	122 of 415	70.6%	★★★★☆
2024	72.9	110 of 415	73.5%	★★★★☆
2023	74.3	97 of 444	78.2%	★★★★☆
2022	49.6	230 of 441	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.0	289 of 441	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	40.7	277 of 418	33.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	71.0	121 of 450	73.1%	★★★★☆
2025	69.6	127 of 437	70.9%	★★★★☆
2024	62.1	161 of 444	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.5	127 of 459	72.3%	★★★★☆
2022	66.1	132 of 458	71.2%	★★★★☆
2021	64.0	154 of 455	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.3	226 of 430	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	66.6	119 of 403	70.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	68.8	140 of 435	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	39.8	254 of 414	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.5	275 of 426	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.4	214 of 443	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.9	159 of 442	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.8	163 of 442	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	34.7	290 of 418	30.6%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2019	48.6	91 of 202	55.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	48.0	189 of 338	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	47.8	181 of 316	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	59.3	138 of 320	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	34.9	254 of 352	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.5	299 of 362	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	48.3	196 of 358	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	14.3	326 of 350	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	52.4	170 of 338	49.7%	★★★☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	60.2	142 of 325	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.4	165 of 329	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.0	138 of 333	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.9	143 of 321	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.6	175 of 326	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	58.7	128 of 322	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.9	66 of 313	78.9%	★★★★☆
2018	76.9	35 of 302	88.4%	★★★★☆
2017	79.7	21 of 297	92.9%	★★★★★
2016	78.6	26 of 297	91.2%	★★★★★
2015	62.1	126 of 312	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2014	65.3	98 of 309	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	65.7	95 of 312	69.6%	★★★★☆
2012	70.4	86 of 310	72.3%	★★★★☆
2011	59.3	136 of 300	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	57.9	136 of 297	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	43.6	190 of 301	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	61.0	115 of 291	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2007	28.2	234 of 290	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	79.9	28 of 260	89.2%	★★★★☆
2025	73.8	37 of 256	85.5%	★★★★☆
2024	66.7	56 of 260	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	57.5	89 of 252	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.5	115 of 256	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.3	77 of 243	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.2	58 of 233	75.1%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2023	23.8	19 of 24	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	39.1	15 of 20	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	42.7	16 of 22	27.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	67.8	9 of 20	55.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	69.4	92 of 313	70.6%	★★★★☆
2025	47.9	174 of 308	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	49.5	169 of 308	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.8	150 of 308	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.8	169 of 311	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	59.7	125 of 288	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	75.6	55 of 292	81.2%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	62.4	108 of 321	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	57.2	124 of 323	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.8	92 of 328	72.0%	★★★★☆
2023	65.0	92 of 321	71.3%	★★★★☆
2022	56.7	127 of 322	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	69.4	67 of 285	76.5%	★★★★☆
2019	81.1	33 of 301	89.0%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	47.2	161 of 311	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	57.3	125 of 313	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.7	118 of 315	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.9	146 of 306	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.2	160 of 301	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	61.1	109 of 292	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.4	79 of 291	72.9%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	42.2	83 of 168	50.6%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	57.2	107 of 244	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	37.0	175 of 245	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	45.8	146 of 248	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.0	137 of 249	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	49.1	133 of 250	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	60.8	84 of 245	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	82.8	17 of 249	93.2%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)73rd percentile+12 vs school

Male (2026)68th percentile+6 vs school

African American (2026)68th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)61st percentile~ school

Special Education (2019)55th percentile+18 vs school

White (2026)44th percentile-17 vs school

Asian (2019)35th percentile~ school

High school

African American (2026)89th percentile+33 vs school

Female (2026)71st percentile+14 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)66th percentile+10 vs school

White (2026)56th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)51st percentile-6 vs school

Male (2026)48th percentile-8 vs school

Asian (2023)21st percentile-35 vs school

By subject vs Louisiana (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts79%+9 vs state

English I75%+9 vs state

Mathematics72%+10 vs state

Algebra I72%+7 vs state

Geometry64%+7 vs state

U.S. History64%+9 vs state

Biology63%+3 vs state

Social Studies55%~ state avg

English II52%-15 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a student
Sunday, May 29, 2016

This school has amazing caring teachers who try really hard to help their students improve by offering after-school tutoring along with one on one conferences. The school itself is very beautiful and quite large with a modern interior design. Close Quote

Schools Near South Plaquemines High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				LEAP Mathematics (2026)		LEAP English Language Arts (2026)	LEAP Social Studies (2026)			LEAP Algebra I (2026)	LEAP Geometry (2026)	LEAP English II (2026)	LEAP U.S. History (2026)	LEAP English I (2026)	LEAP Biology (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	LEAP Mathematics 8th Grade	LEAP Mathematics All Grades	LEAP English Language Arts All Grades	LEAP Social Studies 7th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 8th Grade	LEAP Social Studies All Grades	LEAP Algebra I End of Course	LEAP Geometry End of Course	LEAP English II End of Course	LEAP U.S. History End of Course	LEAP English I End of Course	LEAP Biology End of Course	Total
South Plaquemines High School	Public	7-12	34121 Highway 23	Buras	70041	Plaquemines Parish	Plaquemines Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(504) 595-6435	355	38	9.4	75.2%	101 (28.5%)	159 (44.8%)	32 (9.0%)	48 (13.5%)	11 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.1%)	60.2	142^nd of 325 public high schools	56.3%		52.4	165^th of 329 public high schools	49.8%	23	73.0	72.0	79.0	51.0	61.0	55.0	72.0	64.0	52.0	64.0	75.0	63.0	$24,005

Frequently Asked Questions about South Plaquemines High School

How many students attend South Plaquemines High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 355 students attended South Plaquemines High School.

What schools feed into South Plaquemines High School?

South Plaquemines High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Boothville-Venice Elementary School
Elementary : South Plaquemines Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of South Plaquemines High School?

Students at South Plaquemines High School are 45% African American, 28% White, 14% Asian, 9% Hispanic, 3% American Indian, 1% Two or more races.

Is South Plaquemines High School a good school?

South Plaquemines High School ranks 142^nd of 325 Louisiana high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is South Plaquemines High School in?

Plaquemines Parish

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Latest Louisiana data All new data »

2025–26 LEAP test scoresJul 6, 2026

2023–24 dropout ratesFeb 24, 2026

2023–24 school spending dataDec 1, 2025

2023–24 through 2024–25 graduation ratesNov 22, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Louisiana Dept of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.