Best Public Schools in Zip Code 71225

The three public schools serving zip code 71225 in Calhoun, Louisiana—Calhoun Elementary School (PK-2), Central Elementary School (3-5), and Calhoun Middle School (6-8)—form a clear feeder pattern within the Ouachita Parish School District, which ranks in the 67th percentile statewide. With a total enrollment of 1,273 students, these schools serve a community where roughly half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a fairly uniform socioeconomic demographic across the area.

Calhoun Middle School is the standout performer, achieving 71% proficiency in Math and 77% in English Language Arts—both well above district and state averages. It also boasts the smallest class sizes in the zip code with a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio and a perfect 0.0% dropout rate. However, this school presents a paradox: despite its academic excellence, it has the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 22.4%, matching the state average. In contrast, Central Elementary School is an area of concern, with a declining state ranking over three consecutive years and a high 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Its Math (59%) and ELA (65%) proficiency rates fall below district averages, suggesting a disconnect between the elementary and middle school experiences.

The most compelling finding is that the feeder pattern is not working as intended. Students at Central Elementary perform below district averages, yet they dramatically improve at Calhoun Middle School, which appears exceptionally effective at accelerating learning. Social Studies is a universal weakness across both upper schools, with proficiency rates at or below the state average of 55%. Meanwhile, Calhoun Elementary School has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (12.1%) and a moderate student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, providing a solid foundation for the youngest learners. For parents, this data suggests that while the middle school excels, the elementary years may require extra attention to ensure students are fully prepared for the academic leap ahead.