Minden High School

Minden High School is a public high school in Minden, LA, serving 689 students in grades 9 through 12 as part of the Webster Parish school district.

The most pressing concern at Minden High School is its chronic absenteeism rate, which reached 45.9% in the 2024-2025 school year. This is nearly double the state average of 22.5% and significantly higher than nearby schools like Haughton High School (29.1%) and Homer High School (31.9%). Within the same district, Lakeside Junior-Senior High School boasts a 73rd percentile state ranking and a 4-star rating, while Minden sits at the 28th percentile with a 1-star rating. This stark contrast suggests that Minden’s challenges are tied to local factors rather than district-wide issues. Academically, the school struggles across subjects, with only 33% of students proficient in U.S. History and 38% in Geometry—well below state averages. However, the graduation rate remains a bright spot at 87.4%, slightly above the state average, though this is under pressure from the rising absenteeism trend.

For parents, the key takeaway is that Minden High School faces a serious engagement crisis, with nearly half of students missing significant school time. While the school has shown some improvement from its lowest rankings a decade ago, it still lags behind peers in test scores and overall performance. The graduation rate offers hope, but it may decline if absenteeism isn’t addressed. Parents should consider how the school’s support for special education students—ranking in the 10th percentile—and its increasing population of students from low-income backgrounds (now 68.5% receiving free/reduced lunch) align with their child’s needs. Comparing Minden to higher-performing options like Lakeside or Haughton may help families make informed decisions.