Summary:
The 70560 zip code in New Iberia, Louisiana, is home to 12 public schools within the Iberia Parish district, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across eight elementary, two middle, and two high schools, with the district itself holding a solid 4-star rating.
There is a stark contrast in performance across these schools. Coteau Elementary School is the standout, ranking in the 82nd percentile statewide and achieving the highest test scores in the area while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (10.9%), proving that strong school culture can overcome high poverty levels. In comparison, Park Elementary School and Johnston Hopkins Elementary School are the lowest-ranked elementary schools, both with 1-star ratings and over 94% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. At the high school level, New Iberia Senior High School is a 4-star school with strong test scores (81% in Algebra I), while Westgate High School is a 1-star school struggling in nearly every metric, including a 36.9% chronic absenteeism rate and only 37% proficiency in Algebra I.
Chronic absenteeism is the most critical factor linked to low performance, with schools like Westgate High and Park Elementary having rates above 36%, while top performers like Pesson Addition Elementary School (14.6%) keep attendance high. A concerning "middle school slump" is evident at Anderson Middle School, where math proficiency drops from 66% in 7th grade to just 28% in 8th grade. Additionally, Center Street Elementary School, Magnolia Elementary, and Park Elementary have all seen their state rankings decline over the past three years, signaling a need for targeted intervention.
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