Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 70068

In zip code 70068, there is one middle school, East St. John Preparatory Academy, serving grades 5 through 8 in La Place, Louisiana, with 318 students and a high rate of economic disadvantage (85.22% eligible for free or reduced lunch).

East St. John Preparatory Academy is a school of sharp contrasts. It has a very low dropout rate of just 0.5%, far better than the St. John the Baptist Parish district average of 7.4% and the state average of 3.1%. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 19.1% is also slightly better than the district (19.4%) and state (22.5%) averages, suggesting a stable and engaged student body. However, academic performance in core subjects is a major challenge. The school ranks in the 10th percentile statewide (409 out of 452) with a 0-star rating, and proficiency rates in Mathematics (42%), English Language Arts (48%), and Social Studies (30%) all fall well below district and state averages. The most striking finding is the "Algebra I Paradox": while only 29% of 8th graders are proficient in grade-level math, a staggering 94% of students taking the Algebra I End-of-Course exam score proficient—dramatically higher than the district (45%) and state (65%). This suggests the school excels at accelerating a select group of students into advanced coursework, but the majority struggle in standard classes.

Grade-level data reveals a concerning decline in proficiency as students progress. In Mathematics, 5th graders achieve 58% proficiency, dropping to 45% in 6th grade, 34% in 7th grade, and just 29% in 8th grade. Social Studies is a critical weakness across all grades, with no grade level reaching even 40% proficiency. While the school has shown a slight upward trend in its state ranking over the past few years, it remains significantly behind both its local district and the state in overall academic achievement. For parents, this school offers a safe, low-attrition environment with a strong advanced math program for a select few, but the majority of students face substantial academic hurdles that require targeted support.