Summary:
In zip code 70634 (DeRidder, LA), two middle schools—Pine Wood Elementary School (grades 5-6) and DeRidder Junior High School (grades 7-8)—serve 635 students as part of the Beauregard Parish district, which ranks in the 62nd percentile statewide.
DeRidder Junior High School stands out for its strong academic growth and low dropout rate. Its Social Studies proficiency of 58% exceeds both the district and state averages of 55%, and its state ranking improved from the 32nd to the 46th percentile over the past year. The school also reports a dropout rate of just 0.3%, far below the state average of 3.1%. However, a notable concern is a sharp drop in 8th-grade math proficiency to 42%, suggesting a need for targeted support in advanced math concepts. In contrast, Pine Wood Elementary School excels in 6th-grade English Language Arts (ELA), with a 76% proficiency rate that outpaces the state average of 74%. Despite serving a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (58% free/reduced lunch), Pine Wood matches DeRidder Junior High in overall ELA proficiency (68%) and maintains a lower chronic absenteeism rate of 13.8%, well below the state average of 22.5%.
Key takeaways include a "transition dip" in math between 6th and 8th grades, with 8th-grade math at DeRidder Junior High dropping to 42% proficiency. Both schools manage chronic absenteeism effectively, and their complementary strengths—Pine Wood in ELA and DeRidder Junior High in Social Studies—suggest potential for cross-school collaboration within the district. Overall, these schools provide a solid educational pipeline, with DeRidder Junior High showing upward momentum and Pine Wood demonstrating resilience in supporting diverse student needs.
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