Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 70560

There are two middle schools serving grades 7 and 8 in zip code 70560 (New Iberia, LA), both part of the Iberia Parish school district, and they present a stark contrast in performance and challenges.

Iberia Middle School is the standout performer in the area, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the top half of Louisiana middle schools. It has shown positive momentum, improving from a 2-star rating in the previous year. Its students significantly outperform those at Anderson Middle School in every subject, with math proficiency at 68% versus 48% and ELA proficiency at 73% versus 59%. In contrast, Anderson Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom 30% of the state, earning a 1-star rating for three consecutive years. While both schools have similar student-teacher ratios (around 10.8:1), Anderson Middle School faces a higher level of economic disadvantage, with 89.38% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch compared to 75.56% at Iberia Middle School.

The most urgent shared challenge for both schools is chronic absenteeism, which sits at about 29% for each—significantly higher than the district average of 22.3% and the state average of 22.5%. This is a major red flag, as high absenteeism is a strong predictor of lower academic achievement and future dropout risk. Despite this, both schools report dropout rates well below district and state averages. For parents, Iberia Middle School is the clear choice for stronger academic outcomes, while Anderson Middle School requires significant intervention to address its persistent low performance and high poverty levels.