Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 70403, serving parts of Hammond and Kentwood, Louisiana, all part of the Tangipahoa Parish school district, which ranks in the 21st percentile statewide.
Hammond Westside Montessori is the standout school in this area. It is the largest school with 1,022 students, serves the widest grade range (PK-8), and consistently ranks highest among its peers, holding a 1-star rating and ranking in the 17th percentile. Critically, it is the only school offering an End of Course exam (English I), where students achieve 84% proficiency, far exceeding the district (53%) and state (66%) averages. In contrast, Woodland Park Magnet is the lowest-performing school, with the lowest state ranking (7th percentile, 0 stars), the lowest test scores across all subjects, and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (31.7%). Despite its "Magnet" designation, its academic outcomes are the weakest in the cohort. O.W. Dillon Leadership Academy is notable for its high level of economic disadvantage (95.54% free/reduced lunch) and its strong performance in 3rd-grade Mathematics, where 66% of students are proficient—a figure that surpasses both the district (51%) and state (62%) averages, making it a significant outlier.
A key takeaway is that chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, with all three schools having rates (30.6% - 31.7%) significantly higher than the state average of 22.5%. This suggests a community-wide challenge likely linked to high poverty levels. Overall, while Hammond Westside Montessori provides the strongest academic pipeline, O.W. Dillon Leadership Academy demonstrates that targeted programs can overcome economic challenges, and Woodland Park Magnet requires significant intervention to improve its outcomes.
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