Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools serving grades PK through 5 in the 70529 zip code (Duson, LA), all part of the Lafayette Parish school district, which is ranked in the top 27% of Louisiana districts.
Ridge Elementary School is the top-performing school in the area, ranking 99th out of 690 elementary schools statewide and earning a 4-star rating. It is the only school here to exceed district averages in Math, English Language Arts, and Social Studies, with a standout 73% proficiency in Social Studies—13 points above the district average. Duson Elementary School is a remarkable story of efficiency: despite having the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (74.24%) and the smallest enrollment (229 students), it matches Ridge’s Math proficiency (79%) and surpasses it in ELA (82% vs. 79%). Duson also boasts the lowest student-teacher ratio (15.2:1), suggesting a more personalized learning environment. In contrast, Charles M. Burke Elementary School is on a clear downward trend, dropping from a 4-star to a 3-star rating and falling below district averages in Math (68%) and ELA (66%).
Key takeaways for parents: socioeconomic status does not determine success here, as Duson outperforms the more affluent Charles M. Burke in every subject. Chronic absenteeism is a concern across all three schools, though all are below the district average of 24%. Ridge offers the strongest overall academics, Duson provides an impressive small-school advantage with high achievement despite challenges, and Charles M. Burke’s declining performance warrants closer attention. This area offers strong options, with two of three schools earning 4-star ratings.
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