Summary:
In zip code 71446 (Leesville, LA), three elementary schools serve students from Pre-K through 6th grade within the highly-rated Vernon Parish school district, which ranks in the top 20% of Louisiana districts.
Parkway Elementary School stands out as the top performer, with the highest test scores in math (71% proficient) and ELA (80% proficient), the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (23.5%), and the lowest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (38.37% free/reduced lunch). It is the only school in the area to have earned a 4-star rating in recent years. In contrast, West Leesville Elementary School faces significant challenges, with the lowest test scores (54% math, 55% ELA), a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 40.6% (nearly double the state average), and 81.18% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, resulting in a 1-star rating for the 2025-2026 school year. Pickering Elementary School serves as a consistent middle performer, matching Parkway's 61st percentile state ranking while serving a wider grade range (PK-6) and a more economically diverse student body (60.92% free/reduced lunch), with a lower student-teacher ratio of 12.7.
A key takeaway is that social studies proficiency is a universal weakness across all three schools, with none exceeding the state average of 55%. Additionally, the stark difference in poverty levels between Parkway and West Leesville highlights a strong correlation between socioeconomic factors and academic outcomes, though the district's overall 4-star rating masks West Leesville's struggles. Chronic absenteeism at West Leesville is a critical issue requiring targeted intervention, while Pickering's ability to achieve similar rankings to Parkway despite serving a more disadvantaged population is a notable achievement.
Thank you for your feedback!