Best Public Schools in Zip Code 71019

The five schools in zip code 71019 (Coushatta, LA) serve 1,243 students across elementary, middle, high, and alternative levels, all within the Red River Parish school district, which holds a 1-star rating and ranks 85th out of 116 districts in Louisiana.

Red River Elementary School stands out as the highest-performing school in the area, earning a 3-star rating and exceeding both district and state averages in Math (71% proficiency vs. 60% statewide). However, this academic advantage fades as students progress, with 5th-grade Math proficiency dropping to 56% and 6th-grade scores at Red River Junior High School falling to just 38%. Red River High School boasts a strong 91.5% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, despite having the highest chronic absenteeism (26.7%) in the zip code. In contrast, Red River Academic Academy presents a paradox: it has the lowest chronic absenteeism (5.1%) and a 0% dropout rate, yet struggles with the lowest test scores among non-alternative schools (37% Math, 41% ELA). The Ware Youth Center, an alternative school, has a 0% chronic absenteeism rate due to its residential nature but faces a 19.2% dropout rate and the lowest academic performance overall.

Key metrics reveal a student population with very high economic need (92.5% average free/reduced lunch rate) and a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. Social Studies is a systemic weakness across all schools, with proficiency rates consistently 10-20 points below the state average. The district's average chronic absenteeism rate of 13.2% is well below the state average of 22.5%, though this is skewed by the high rate at the high school. Overall, while Red River Elementary School provides a strong foundation, the data suggests that academic performance declines in later grades, and schools face significant challenges in translating attendance and engagement into proficiency, particularly in Social Studies and at the secondary level.