Summary:
The five public schools serving zip code 70444 in Kentwood, Louisiana, all part of the Tangipahoa Parish School District, serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and face significant challenges related to high economic disadvantage and chronic absenteeism.
Spring Creek Elementary School stands out as the clear academic leader, consistently earning a 3-star rating and posting proficiency rates in math (70%), ELA (78%), and social studies (64%) that far exceed district averages. In stark contrast, Kentwood High Magnet School is the lowest-performing school in the area, with a 0-star rating, alarmingly low proficiency rates (26% in Geometry, 28% in English II), and the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 49.3%. The two high schools present a paradox: Jewel M. Sumner High School has stronger academic outcomes (61% proficient in English I) but a lower graduation rate (88.7%), while Kentwood High Magnet has a higher graduation rate (93.2%) despite weaker test scores. The elementary schools also diverge sharply, with Chesbrough Elementary School declining from a 3-star to a 1-star rating even though it serves a similar demographic to Spring Creek.
Chronic absenteeism is the most critical systemic issue, with rates ranging from 27.1% at Chesbrough Elementary to 49.3% at Kentwood High Magnet—all well above the state average of 22.5%. Student-teacher ratios are generally favorable (8.5:1 to 15.3:1), suggesting class size is not the primary driver of academic struggles. Jewel M. Sumner Middle School falls in the middle of the pack, with a 30.8% chronic absenteeism rate. For parents, the data clearly shows that Spring Creek Elementary is the standout choice for younger students, while the high schools require careful consideration of whether graduation rates or college readiness metrics matter more for their child's future.
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