Mt. Hermon School

Mt. Hermon School is a small, alternative public school in the rural community of Mount Hermon, Louisiana, serving 373 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade under the Washington Parish School District.

This school stands out for its exceptional performance in advanced math and science, even as it faces significant challenges. In the most recent school year, Mt. Hermon's Algebra I proficiency rate soared to 91%, dramatically outperforming the district (77%) and state (65%) averages. Similarly, Geometry proficiency reached 54%, exceeding the district average of 44%, and Biology end-of-course scores were 74%, well above both district (57%) and state (59%) levels. These results are particularly noteworthy given that the school serves a high-needs population, with nearly 72% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. However, the school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism, currently at 25.2%, which is higher than both the district and state averages. This absenteeism likely contributes to a sharp drop in academic performance between elementary and middle school—while 3rd and 4th graders often exceed state averages in math and English, 8th-grade math proficiency falls to just 18%, compared to 52% statewide.

On a positive note, the school's graduation rate has shown recent improvement, rising to 76.9% after a low of 65.7% two years prior, and the dropout rate has dropped significantly to 3.2%, now nearly matching state averages. The school's ability to produce top-tier results in advanced coursework despite broader challenges suggests effective teaching in specific areas, though the rapid increase in economic disadvantage and chronic absenteeism remain critical issues that families should consider when evaluating the school's overall environment.