Summary:
Zip code 71474 is home to a single school, Simpson High School, an alternative school serving 252 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in the Vernon Parish district, which ranks in the 83rd percentile statewide.
Simpson High School defies expectations for an alternative school, delivering exceptional academic results despite serving a high-poverty population where 67.46% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school consistently outperforms both the district and state in most subjects, with standout mathematics scores like 91% proficiency in 7th-grade math and 86% in 6th-grade math. High school end-of-course exams are equally impressive, with 88% proficiency in U.S. History and 83% in Biology. The school boasts a 92% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, far exceeding state averages. However, chronic absenteeism is a concern at 35.8%, higher than the district's 31.5% and state's 22.5%, creating a paradox where students miss many days but still complete their education.
A clear academic weakness is social studies, where overall proficiency is 50%, below both the district (54%) and state (55%), with 3rd-grade scores particularly low at 28%. Despite this, the school's year-over-year consistency—such as 79% math proficiency in both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026—points to a stable, effective instructional model. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.2, Simpson High School is a high-performing institution that successfully engages at-risk students, making it a standout choice in this rural area.
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