Summary:
Zip code 70591 in Welsh, Louisiana, is served by two public schools within the Jefferson Davis Parish school district: Welsh Elementary School (Pre-K through 5th grade) and Welsh High School (9th through 12th grade), with a combined enrollment of 762 students.
Welsh Elementary School is a standout performer, particularly in mathematics, where 85% of all students were proficient in the 2025-2026 school year—significantly outpacing both the district (72%) and state (62%) averages. The school also boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of 16.4%, well below the district average of 24.8%. In contrast, Welsh High School presents a paradox: it achieves a very high graduation rate of 92.8% and a 0.0% dropout rate, yet struggles with a chronic absenteeism rate of 37.0%, which is more than double the elementary school's rate and far exceeds the state average of 22.5%. Academically, the high school outperforms district and state averages in Algebra I, Geometry, and English I, but falls behind in U.S. History, where only 42% of students are proficient compared to 55% statewide.
The most striking finding is the "attendance cliff" between the two schools, with chronic absenteeism jumping over 20 percentage points from elementary to high school. While both schools serve a student population where roughly half are economically disadvantaged, Welsh Elementary School demonstrates that high achievement is possible regardless of socioeconomic factors, while Welsh High School faces a critical challenge in addressing its absenteeism issue, which likely impacts its overall academic performance despite strong graduation outcomes.
Thank you for your feedback!