Summary:
Zip code 71301 in Alexandria, Louisiana, is home to eight schools within the Rapides Parish district, serving elementary through high school grades and presenting a stark contrast between a few high-performing magnet and alternative schools and several struggling traditional public schools.
The standout schools in this area are Bolton Academy and Rosenthal Montessori Elementary School. Bolton Academy, a high school serving grades 6-12, is a paradox: it achieved a remarkable turnaround to rank in the 98th percentile (5 stars) with near-perfect test scores, yet it has a low graduation rate of 65.6% and a high dropout rate of 12.2%, suggesting a highly selective academic program. Rosenthal Montessori, a top-performing elementary school ranking in the 87th percentile (4 stars), achieves strong results despite a high poverty rate (88.8% free/reduced lunch) and boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the area at 7.3%. In contrast, Horseshoe Drive Elementary School (10th percentile) and D.F. Huddle Elementary (20th percentile) are among the lowest-performing schools in the state. For middle schools, Scott M. Brame Middle School is a solid, above-average performer (59th percentile), while Alexandria Middle Magnet School struggles significantly (23rd percentile) with test scores well below state averages.
A critical finding is the strong link between chronic absenteeism and performance. The top-performing schools have absenteeism rates under 10%, while the lowest-performing schools, L.S. Rugg Elementary School (42%) and D.F. Huddle Elementary (33.8%), have rates far exceeding the state average of 22.5%. This suggests that improving attendance is the most impactful intervention for struggling schools. Additionally, Rosenthal Montessori proves that high poverty does not have to dictate low outcomes, serving as a powerful model for the community. The data also reveals a feeder pattern concern, where students from strong elementary schools may be funneled into the struggling Alexandria Middle Magnet School.
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