Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 70605

This analysis examines five elementary schools in zip code 70605 (Lake Charles, LA), serving grades PK through 5 within the Calcasieu Parish school district, which is ranked in the top 27% of Louisiana districts.

Prien Lake Elementary School is the standout performer, ranking in the top 3% of all Louisiana elementary schools with a 5-star rating. It boasts exceptional academic results, including 93% proficiency in English Language Arts and 87% in Social Studies, while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (9.7%) and the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (41.16%). In contrast, College Oaks Elementary School faces significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 36% of the state with a 2-star rating, the highest chronic absenteeism rate (34.4%), and the highest free/reduced lunch percentage (82.01%). A. A. Nelson Elementary School is a strong and consistent performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 81st percentile or higher, despite being the largest school with 736 students. St. John Elementary School shows a positive improvement trajectory, moving from a 3-star to a 4-star rating, while Dolby Elementary School performs well in English Language Arts (81%) but struggles with Math proficiency (67%), particularly in 5th grade.

A key takeaway is the strong link between socioeconomic factors and academic outcomes, as schools with lower free/reduced lunch percentages consistently achieve higher test scores and state rankings. Chronic absenteeism also emerges as a critical indicator, with the highest-performing schools having the lowest rates. The area average for chronic absenteeism (18.0%) is better than both the district (20.9%) and state (22.5%) averages, but the wide disparity between schools highlights where targeted interventions could be most effective.