Summary:
There are four elementary schools serving grades PK through 5 in zip code 71109 (Shreveport, LA), all part of the Caddo Parish school district, which is ranked in the bottom 26th percentile statewide and faces significant challenges with poverty and chronic absenteeism.
Judson Fundamental Elementary School is the clear standout, consistently outperforming both district and state averages in core subjects like Math (68% proficient), ELA (78%), and Social Studies (57%). Its chronic absenteeism rate of just 9.6% is dramatically lower than the other three schools, which all exceed 34%, and is less than half the state average. This school proves that strong school culture can overcome high poverty levels (70.51% free/reduced lunch). In contrast, Queensborough Elementary School (96.23% poverty), Midway Professional Development Center (91.45% poverty), and Bethune/Oak Park Elementary (92.43% poverty) all struggle with academic performance, ranking in the bottom 26th percentile or lower statewide. However, Queensborough shows a notable strength in 3rd-grade Math, where 73% of students were proficient, far exceeding district and state averages.
The most critical takeaway is that chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis in this zip code, with three schools having rates above 34%—well above the district average of 31% and the state average of 22.5%. This directly correlates with low academic performance. While poverty is a major factor, Judson Fundamental demonstrates it is not destiny, as its 70.51% poverty rate is still high but its results are excellent. Additionally, pockets of grade-level success, like Queensborough's 3rd-grade Math and Midway PDC's 5th-grade scores, suggest that effective teaching and targeted programs can make a difference even in struggling schools. For parents, Judson Fundamental is the top choice, while the other schools face significant hurdles that require strong family and community support to overcome.
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