Summary:
Zip code 71422 is home to a single school, Dodson High School, an alternative school serving grades PK through 12 within the Winn Parish school district, which holds a 2-star rating and ranks 61st out of 116 districts in Louisiana. With 283 students and a favorable 10:1 student-teacher ratio, the school serves a high-needs population where over 70% of students are economically disadvantaged. Despite these challenges, Dodson High School stands out for its strong graduation rate of 87.5%, which surpasses both the district (82.6%) and state (85.0%) averages, and its low dropout rate of 2.0% also beats district and state norms.
Academically, the school shows a clear split in performance. In English Language Arts (ELA), Dodson High School excels, with an overall proficiency rate of 65% that outpaces the district average of 60%, and standout grade-level results like 92% proficiency in 6th grade and 76% in 4th grade, both exceeding state averages. Mathematics performance is mixed, with an overall proficiency of 51% matching the district but lagging behind the state's 62%; however, 8th graders achieved an impressive 73% proficiency, far above state and district levels. Social Studies is a significant weakness, with an overall proficiency of just 32%, a full 23 points below the state average, and 7th grade proficiency dropping to only 14%.
The most critical issue facing the school is chronic absenteeism, which stands at a staggering 44.3%—nearly double the state average of 22.5%. This likely contributes to the inconsistent performance across grade levels, such as 3rd graders achieving only 24% proficiency in math while 6th and 8th graders excelled. For parents, Dodson High School offers a supportive environment with strong ELA outcomes and a proven track record of graduating students, but the high absenteeism rate and weak social studies results are key areas to consider when evaluating the school's overall effectiveness.
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