North Webster Junior High School

North Webster Junior High School in Sarepta, LA, is a small, rural middle school serving 320 students in grades 6-8, and it has earned a consistent 2-star rating from the state in recent years.

This school stands out for its strong performance in English Language Arts (ELA), where 68% of students are proficient—10 points higher than the Webster Parish district average and just 2 points below the state average. Sixth graders are especially strong, with 72% proficiency. However, math is a clear challenge: only 50% of students are proficient, which trails the state average by 12 points, particularly in 7th grade. The school also excels at keeping students on track, with a dropout rate of 0.0% for three of the last four years—far better than the district (2.9%) and state (3.1%) averages. On the flip side, chronic absenteeism is a major concern, affecting 32% of students in 2023-2024, which is significantly higher than the state average of 24.6%.

An interesting paradox is the school’s success in ELA versus its struggles in math, suggesting the issue is specific to math instruction rather than a general lack of resources. The school has also faced a rapid increase in economic need, with the free/reduced lunch rate jumping from 52.6% to 77.2% in just two years. Despite this, the school has maintained its overall ranking. However, a critical gap exists for Special Education students, who rank in the bottom 8% statewide—a clear area for urgent improvement. Overall, North Webster Junior High is a school that effectively teaches reading and keeps students enrolled, but it must address math performance, attendance, and support for all learners to continue its positive trajectory.