Summary:
In zip code 71418, there is one middle school, Caldwell Parish Junior High School, serving grades 6 through 8 in Columbia, Louisiana, with a total enrollment of 294 students.
Caldwell Parish Junior High School presents a mixed profile of strengths and challenges. The school boasts a very low student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, which allows for more individualized attention. Academically, it shows notable strength in English Language Arts (ELA), consistently outperforming its district, with 66% of students proficient in the 2025-2026 school year compared to the district's 60%. A standout achievement is a perfect 100% proficiency rate in Algebra I for the 2024-2025 school year, far exceeding the district (56%) and state (63%) averages. However, the school faces significant challenges. Its overall state ranking has declined sharply, dropping from the 52nd percentile (3 stars) in 2024-2025 to the 31st percentile (2 stars) in 2025-2026. Proficiency in Mathematics (49%) and Social Studies (37%) for the 2025-2026 school year is well below state averages of 62% and 55%, respectively. The school also has a chronic absenteeism rate of 26.7%, which is higher than the state average of 22.5%. The Caldwell Parish district is rated 1 star (22nd percentile), indicating it is one of the lower-performing districts in Louisiana.
Key takeaways for parents include the school's excellent Algebra I program and low student-teacher ratio, which are clear positives. However, the declining state ranking and below-average performance in math and social studies are areas of concern. The school serves a high-poverty population, with over 75% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and while it has a zero percent dropout rate, it struggles to overcome the academic challenges associated with this demographic. Performance also varies by grade level, with 7th graders outperforming 6th and 8th graders in math, suggesting inconsistent instructional effectiveness across grades.
Thank you for your feedback!