Summary:
The 70501 zip code in Lafayette, Louisiana, is home to three distinct high schools within the Lafayette Parish school district, serving grades 6 through 12 and presenting a wide range of educational experiences for families.
David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy stands out as the top performer, ranking in the top 3% of Louisiana high schools with a 5-star rating. It boasts exceptional academic proficiency rates—89% in math and 92% in ELA—far exceeding district and state averages. Its graduation rate is strong, with a very low dropout rate of 0.4% and chronic absenteeism at just 11.1%. In stark contrast, Northside High School faces significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 11% of the state with a 1-star rating. Its proficiency rates are critically low, with only 16% of students proficient in U.S. History, and it has a graduation rate of 73.1%, a dropout rate of 7.4%, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 62.1%. Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette presents a paradox: it ranks high (81st percentile) with strong test scores in subjects like English II (83% proficient) and Biology (84% proficient), yet it has a very low graduation rate of 37.1% and high chronic absenteeism at 56.4%, suggesting it serves a specialized student population with unique needs.
Key takeaways for parents include the stark disparity within this single zip code, where a magnet school excels while a traditional high school struggles. The data shows a strong link between socioeconomic factors and outcomes, with Northside having 87.5% of students on free/reduced lunch. Interestingly, the school with the highest student-teacher ratio (David Thibodaux at 21:1) has the best outcomes, while schools with lower ratios (Northside at 15.6:1 and Edward J Sam at 13:1) face more difficulties, indicating that school culture and student selection play a crucial role. Chronic absenteeism is a critical warning sign at Northside and Edward J Sam, both with rates over 56%, compared to just 11.1% at David Thibodaux.
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