Summary:
In zip code 70605, there is one middle school, S. J. Welsh Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with a substantial enrollment of 1,011 students.
S. J. Welsh Middle School is a standout performer within the Calcasieu Parish school district and across the state. The school consistently earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 25% of Louisiana middle schools, with its best recent ranking of 61st out of 447 schools in the 2024-2025 school year. Academically, it significantly outperforms both district and state averages in core subjects. For the 2025-2026 school year, 76% of students were proficient in Mathematics (compared to 62% statewide), 80% in English Language Arts (70% statewide), and 74% in Social Studies (55% statewide). The school also boasts a very low dropout rate of just 0.4%, far better than the district (2.2%) and state (3.1%) averages, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 18.2% that is below the district and state averages.
An interesting pattern emerges in grade-level performance, particularly in Social Studies, where 8th-grade proficiency jumps to 84%—23 points higher than the state average—suggesting a particularly effective curriculum or teaching staff at that level. The school's high academic achievement is especially notable given that nearly half of its students (47.28%) come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This consistent overperformance, combined with stable year-over-year test scores and a strong state ranking history, points to a sustainable model of success that effectively supports all students.
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