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Paulina Elementary School

Q: Is Paulina Elementary School a good school?

Paulina Elementary School ranks 380 th of 690 Louisiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-3

380^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 690 Louisiana Elementary Schools

Better than 45% of Louisiana elementary schools

Summary

Paulina Elementary School in Paulina, LA, serves 657 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade within the St. James Parish school district, and is currently at a crossroads after experiencing a multi-year decline from a peak of 4 stars (81st percentile) in 2018-2019 to a 2-star rating (45th percentile) in its most recent ranking.

While the school has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1—better than nearby schools like Sorrento Primary School (13.3:1) in the high-performing Ascension Parish district—its academic outcomes have not kept pace. Paulina once stood out for its strong math performance, with 69% of students proficient in 2023-2024, outperforming both the district and state. However, that strength is fading, as math proficiency dropped to 59% in 2025-2026, now trailing the state average. English Language Arts (61% proficient) and Social Studies (46% proficient) also fall below district and state averages. This contrasts sharply with stable, high-performing peers like Chackbay Elementary School in Lafourche Parish, which consistently ranks in the top 15% of the state.

A key challenge is volatile chronic absenteeism, which spiked to 20.9% in 2023-2024—well above the district's 14.7%—and directly preceded the drop in test scores. While it improved to 13.0% in 2024-2025, this instability is a differentiator from schools like John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary (8.2% absenteeism). Additionally, the school has seen a dramatic decline in support for key student subgroups, with Special Education students dropping from the 82nd percentile in 2019 to the 38th percentile in 2022. For parents, Paulina offers a small class size advantage but faces urgent needs to stabilize attendance, reverse academic declines, and improve instruction to compete with the high-performing schools in neighboring districts.

657

Students ?

11.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,494

Per pupil spending ?

62.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2756 Highway 44
Paulina, LA 70763

(225) 258-4704

District: St. James Parish

Students who attend Paulina Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Lutcher High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

56.0%

White:

41.7%

Hispanic:

1.4%

See top rated Louisiana elementary schools

Compare Paulina Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 63rd percentile in 2014 → 45th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Louisiana average (55% vs 62% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 18 percentile points since 2014

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school55%

District avg61%

Louisiana avg62%

380^th of 690

Louisiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 45%▼ down 12 pts since 2016

From top 43% (2016) to bottom 45% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Elementary Schools in the St. James Parish

42^nd of 116St. James 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	46.9	380 of 690	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	50.4	380 of 730	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.6	334 of 727	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.3	308 of 729	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	80.2	139 of 731	81.0%	★★★★☆
2018	54.7	298 of 728	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	66.7	272 of 739	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	61.8	317 of 742	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	73.7	194 of 792	75.5%	★★★★☆
2014	65.0	288 of 777	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2013	66.3	266 of 772	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	84.0	87 of 764	88.6%	★★★★☆
2011	79.6	141 of 766	81.6%	★★★★☆
2010	75.6	191 of 736	74.0%	★★★★☆
2009	70.8	221 of 738	70.1%	★★★★☆
2008	71.6	210 of 743	71.7%	★★★★☆
2007	67.6	250 of 725	65.5%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	46.6	290 of 548	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.8	334 of 570	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.5	212 of 562	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.1	243 of 564	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.1	213 of 547	61.1%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2018	35.3	185 of 281	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	54.7	332 of 679	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.6	363 of 705	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.6	307 of 701	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.7	293 of 705	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	76.1	158 of 684	76.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	34.3	478 of 685	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.2	486 of 723	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.7	418 of 724	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.4	382 of 719	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	70.9	196 of 697	71.9%	★★★★☆
2018	46.2	404 of 682	40.8%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	38.0	450 of 682	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	47.0	395 of 713	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	53.2	359 of 712	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	57.6	304 of 704	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	81.5	113 of 696	83.8%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2022	40.7	190 of 307	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.1	173 of 306	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	72.2	61 of 333	81.7%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	41.3	332 of 496	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	44.9	325 of 517	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	58.5	221 of 522	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	81.6	63 of 517	87.8%	★★★★☆
2018	72.3	125 of 516	75.8%	★★★★☆

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)

Female (2026)51st percentile+6 vs school

African American (2026)47th percentile~ school

Special Education (2022)38th percentile-16 vs school

Disabled (2018)34th percentile-25 vs school

Male (2026)34th percentile-11 vs school

White (2026)33rd percentile-12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)30th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs Louisiana (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts61%-9 vs state

Mathematics59%-3 vs state

Social Studies46%-9 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, November 24, 2012

Paulina Elementary is a wonderful school. My kids are challenged on a daily basis. Expectations are always high which encourages the students to strive to do their best. My kids are involved in a number of clubs that they really enjoy. The teachers are caring and very encouraging. Close Quote

Schools Near Paulina Elementary 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 English I (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 3rd Grade	LEAP Mathematics 4th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 5th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 6th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 7th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 8th Grade	LEAP Mathematics All Grades	LEAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts All Grades	LEAP Social Studies 3rd Grade	LEAP Social Studies 4th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 5th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 6th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 7th Grade	LEAP Social Studies 8th Grade	LEAP Social Studies All Grades	LEAP English I End of Course	Total
Paulina Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	2756 Highway 44	Paulina	70763	St. James Parish	St. James Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 258-4704	657	59	11.2	62.1%	274 (41.7%)	368 (56.0%)	9 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	46.9	380^th of 690 public elementary schools	44.9%					(n/a)	59.0						59.0	61.0						61.0	46.0						46.0		$20,494
Garyville/Mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet School	Public	PK, KG-8	240 Hwy 54	Garyville	70051	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 535-5400	305	32	9.6	84.3%	7 (2.3%)	243 (79.7%)	36 (11.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.2%)	42.6	421^st of 690 public elementary schools	39.0%		34	468^th of 666 public elementary schools	29.7%	47	80.0	65.0	47.0	66.0	79.0	54.0	66.0	46.0	53.0			83.0	66.0	64.0	45.0	51.0	34.0	56.0	59.0	38.0	46.0		$22,974
Vacherie Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	13440 Highway 644	Vacherie	70090	St. James Parish	St. James Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 258-5250	364	39	9.4	79.7%	64 (17.6%)	284 (78.0%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.7%)	54.1	339^th of 690 public elementary schools	50.9%					(n/a)	60.0						60.0	62.0						62.0	54.0						54.0		$25,304
West St. John Elementary School (K-7)	Public	PK, KG-7	2555 La Hwy. 18	Edgard	70049	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 497-3347	188	24	7.9	88.8%	0 (0.0%)	187 (99.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	46	390^th of 690 public elementary schools	43.5%		45.1	384^th of 666 public elementary schools	42.3%	6	56.0	48.0	61.0	79.0	59.0		59.0	64.0		56.0	71.0	73.0		59.0	57.0	22.0	40.0	64.0	37.0		40.0		$25,436
Fifth Ward Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	158 Panther Drive	Reserve	70084	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 536-4221	306	26	11.8	86.9%	13 (4.2%)	238 (77.8%)	50 (16.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)								(n/a)																							$21,091
Bayou Boeuf Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	101 School Lane	Thibodaux	70301	Lafourche Parish	Lafourche Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 633-2352	209	16	12.7	46.4%	184 (88.0%)	7 (3.3%)	7 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.8%)	91	45^th of 690 public elementary schools	93.5%					(n/a)	80.0	94.0	90.0				87.0	91.0	94.0					93.0	61.0	80.0	93.0				77.0		$23,185
Chackbay Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	450 Hwy 20	Thibodaux	70301	Lafourche Parish	Lafourche Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 633-2348	344	24	14.0	41.6%	294 (85.5%)	18 (5.2%)	8 (2.3%)	9 (2.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.1%)	91.1	43^rd of 690 public elementary schools	93.8%		89.4	55^th of 666 public elementary schools	91.7%	12		91.0	94.0				92.0	87.0	96.0					90.0	61.0	84.0	81.0				76.0		$15,955
Sorrento Primary School	Public	PK, KG-5	42111 North City Parc Drive	Sorrento	70778	Ascension Parish	Ascension Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 391-6900	638	48	13.3	64.6%	257 (40.3%)	278 (43.6%)	61 (9.6%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	38 (6.0%)	83.4	103^rd of 690 public elementary schools	85.1%		86.2	81^st of 666 public elementary schools	87.8%	22	73.0	85.0	88.0				81.0	75.0	89.0	92.0				86.0	56.0	69.0	78.0				67.0		$16,128
LaPlace Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	393 Greenwood Drive	La Place	70068	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 652-5552	710	49	14.4	86.5%	50 (7.0%)	515 (72.5%)	130 (18.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (2.1%)	28	527^th of 690 public elementary schools	23.6%		30.2	490^th of 666 public elementary schools	26.4%	37	37.0	63.0	40.0	55.0	44.0	51.0	48.0	46.0	63.0	64.0	70.0	56.0	55.0	59.0	27.0	46.0	29.0	35.0	32.0	43.0	35.0		$17,640
John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary	Public	K-8	182 West Fifth Street	La Place	70068	St. John the Baptist Parish	St. John the Baptist Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(985) 651-3700	428	30	14.0	63.6%	117 (27.3%)	253 (59.1%)	38 (8.9%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.0%)	73.4	201^st of 690 public elementary schools	70.9%		83.7	101^st of 666 public elementary schools	84.8%	100	82.0	84.0			78.0	84.0	81.0	76.0	73.0			86.0	81.0	81.0	55.0	56.0	63.0	69.0	65.0	71.0	63.0	94.0	$17,478

Frequently Asked Questions about Paulina Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Paulina Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Paulina Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Lutcher High School

How many students attend Paulina Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 657 students attended Paulina Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Paulina Elementary School?

Students at Paulina Elementary School are 56% African American, 42% White, 1% Hispanic.

Is Paulina Elementary School a good school?

Paulina Elementary School ranks 380^th of 690 Louisiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Paulina Elementary School in?

St. James Parish

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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.