Summary:
The two public schools serving zip code 71454 in Montgomery, Louisiana—Verda Elementary School (grades PK-5) and Montgomery High School (grades 6-12)—are part of the Grant Parish school district, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 61st percentile statewide. Both schools serve a predominantly low-income population, with over two-thirds of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Montgomery High School stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 93.9% and a 0% dropout rate, both significantly better than state averages. However, its core academic proficiency rates in Math (52%), English Language Arts (65%), and especially Social Studies (33%) fall below state benchmarks, creating a paradox of strong student support but weaker academic mastery. In contrast, Verda Elementary School shows a troubling "5th grade cliff," where proficiency drops sharply from 3rd grade (56% Math, 67% ELA) to 5th grade (27% Math, 44% ELA), contributing to its state ranking decline from the 49th to the 21st percentile. The high school's 8th-grade cohort outperforms the district in Math and Social Studies, while its 6th-grade class struggles, particularly in Social Studies where only 15% are proficient.
The most glaring systemic issue across both schools is Social Studies proficiency, with Verda Elementary at 26% and Montgomery High at 33%—roughly half the state average of 55%. Chronic absenteeism also affects both schools, with Montgomery High (27.2%) and Verda Elementary (24.1%) exceeding the state average of 22.5%. Despite these challenges, Montgomery High School demonstrates strength in science, with Biology proficiency (63%) surpassing both district and state averages, suggesting targeted interventions could help address the Social Studies crisis and improve overall academic outcomes.
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