Summary:
Zip code 70461 in Slidell, Louisiana, is home to two elementary schools that together serve students from Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade, both part of the highly-rated St. Tammany Parish school district, which ranks in the 84th percentile statewide.
The two schools operate as a "feeder" system: Cypress Cove Elementary School serves PK through 1st grade, while Honey Island Elementary School serves 2nd and 3rd grade. This structure creates a unique data gap, as state testing begins in 3rd grade, meaning only Honey Island has academic performance metrics. Honey Island is the standout school academically, consistently earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 76th to 81st percentile of Louisiana elementary schools over the past four years. It outperforms state averages in all subjects, with 71% proficiency in Math, 77% in ELA, and 62% in Social Studies, though it slightly trails the district averages in ELA and Social Studies. The most striking contrast between the two schools is chronic absenteeism: Honey Island boasts a low rate of 13.7%, well below the district (21.2%) and state (22.5%) averages, while Cypress Cove has a concerning rate of 23.1%, the highest in the area. This disparity is notable given both schools serve similar socioeconomic profiles, with about half of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Honey Island Elementary School provides a stable, above-average academic environment with strong student engagement, as reflected in its low absenteeism. However, the high absenteeism at Cypress Cove Elementary School is a red flag for the youngest learners, where consistent attendance is critical for building foundational skills. The schools' feeder pattern means that the strong performance of Honey Island's 3rd graders is built on the foundation laid at Cypress Cove, making the attendance issue at the lower grade a potential concern for long-term academic success in this zip code.
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