Summary:
This analysis examines 11 schools in the Sulphur, LA zip code 70663, all part of the Calcasieu Parish school district, which serves students from elementary through high school and includes one alternative school.
The standout school in the area is Vincent Settlement Elementary School, which consistently ranks in the top 5% of Louisiana elementary schools with a 5-star rating and exceptional test scores (91% Math, 92% ELA). Frasch Elementary School is another top performer, also earning a 5-star rating with 86% Math and 88% ELA proficiency. Among middle schools, W. W. Lewis Middle School leads with a 4-star rating and strong 6th-grade Math scores (87%), while Maplewood Middle School has shown remarkable improvement, jumping from the 66th to the 86th percentile. Sulphur High School serves as a stable pillar for the community, with a 95% graduation rate and strong Algebra I proficiency (80%). In contrast, Richard W. Vincent Elementary School and LeBlanc Middle School face significant challenges, with lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism rates.
A key takeaway is the strong link between economic factors and performance: the three schools with the highest free/reduced lunch rates—Richard W. Vincent (82.69%), Jake Drost School for Exceptional Children (84.21%), and LeBlanc Middle (59.84%)—also have the lowest academic ratings. Chronic absenteeism is a powerful indicator, with top schools like Vincent Settlement (7.1%) and Frasch (10.0%) having far lower rates than struggling schools. Additionally, 8th-grade Math is a consistent challenge across all middle schools, suggesting a need for targeted support in pre-algebra concepts.
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