Summary:
In zip code 71107 of Shreveport, Louisiana, there are two middle schools serving grades 6-8 within the Caddo Parish school district, an area where the district itself ranks in the bottom quarter of the state.
Donnie Bickham Middle School stands out as the higher-performing option, with a state ranking in the 17th percentile and notably strong results in Algebra I, where 88% of students scored proficient—far exceeding both the district and state averages. In contrast, Linear/Northside Middle School faces severe challenges, ranking in the bottom 5% of Louisiana middle schools. The most critical issue at Linear/Northside is its alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rate of 57.7%, which is more than double the state average and nearly double that of Donnie Bickham (37.6%). This absenteeism crisis, combined with a very high free/reduced lunch rate of 92.66%, directly correlates with its low academic performance across all subjects, including math (27% proficient) and English (40% proficient), both well below Donnie Bickham's scores of 44% and 58%, respectively.
While both schools perform below state averages, their trajectories differ. Donnie Bickham has shown slight improvement in its ranking, suggesting some effective strategies may be in place, particularly for advanced math students. Linear/Northside, however, has been in a steady decline, indicating a need for urgent intervention focused on attendance and wraparound support services. The data clearly shows that the poverty-achievement gap is stark in this area, with Linear/Northside's concentrated poverty creating immense hurdles that even a lower student-teacher ratio (11.9:1) cannot overcome. For parents, Donnie Bickham offers a more stable academic environment with a standout math program, while Linear/Northside requires significant community and district support to address its foundational challenges.
Thank you for your feedback!