Summary:
In zip code 70518, located in Broussard, Louisiana, there are two elementary schools serving grades PK through 5 within the Lafayette Parish school district, presenting a stark contrast in performance and demographics.
Martial Billeaud Elementary School is a standout, consistently ranking in the top 15% of Louisiana elementary schools with a 4-star rating. It boasts exceptional academic proficiency, with 83% of students proficient in Math and 84% in English Language Arts, far exceeding district and state averages. Its chronic absenteeism rate is remarkably low at 8.4%, less than half the rate of its local counterpart. In contrast, Katharine Drexel Elementary School faces significant challenges, with 71% of its students receiving free or reduced lunch and a chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7%. Drexel's academic performance is below average, with 59% proficiency in Math and 65% in ELA, and its state ranking has been declining.
The data reveals a clear correlation between poverty, attendance, and academic outcomes within this small geographic area. Billeaud's consistent excellence across all grade levels in both Math and ELA indicates a strong, school-wide instructional system. A notable finding is Drexel's significant drop in 5th Grade Math proficiency to just 46%, compared to 60% in 3rd grade and 70% in 4th grade, suggesting a potential issue with the curriculum or support for older students. Additionally, Billeaud is the only school reporting Social Studies scores, where it performs well above the state average (68% vs. 55%), highlighting a curriculum strength that is not measured at Drexel.
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