Results from recently released school and district performance scores show the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) has achieved stellar growth across several areas as assessed by the Louisiana Department of Education's (LDOE) accountability system for the 2021-2022 school year. The district’s performance score increased to 84.6, growing 5.7 points since the last official letter grades were released. LPSS maintained its B letter grade and made great strides on its Pathway to an A vision. Overall, 16 schools that received a letter grade in 2019 earned at least one letter grade higher for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Carencro High School saw significant growth in SPS by climbing two letter grades with a gain of 22.1 points, advancing from a 59.9 D to an 82.0 B. Principal Vanessa Knott states, “We have faced many challenges over the last few years, but our BEARS remained strong. The dedication and hard work of our teachers and students made this progress possible.”
Additionally, four LPSS schools also earned double digit point increases: including Myrtle Place Elementary School with 18.1 points, Southside High School with 15.2 points, Lafayette Middle School 11.1 points, and J. Wallace James Elementary School with a 10.0 point increase.
Since the inception of school letter grades in 2011, LPSS no longer has an F-rated school and its lowest number of D-rated schools. Notably, 95% of schools in the district now have a letter grade of C or higher compared to 76% of schools pre-pandemic. Two schools, Martial F. Billeaud Elementary School and Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary School, received their first ever school performance scores of 90.7 A and 64.9 C, respectively.
Superintendent Trosclair states, “Congratulations to the educators and students of LPSS for a job well done. A high quality public school system is important to a community and our school system continues to excel, making Lafayette Parish a great place for families to live and work.
Recently released state scores prove that we are providing students with the educational foundation they need to be successful. In collaboration with district staff, school leaders and educators are focused on instructional best practices in the classroom to support academic and social growth. These outstanding scores are a result of all stakeholders pulling in the same direction for the students we serve. I have no doubt that our school system will continue to grow as our dedicated school leaders continue to focus on identifying areas needing improvement.Thank you to parents who entrust their children to us, and to our community and the Lafayette Parish School Board for continuing to support us so that we can provide the resources needed for teachers and students to be successful in the classroom.”
LPSS earned an A for student growth, known as the progress index, and is ranked #1 in district performance scores amongst large districts serving over 30k students. The district is 16th overall in state district performance score rankings, climbing 13 spots from 2019. Additionally, LPSS is #5 in the state and leads regions IV and V in district performance score growth change for the years 2019-2022.
For earning a progress index of A, 23 schools have been recognized by the state as Top Gains Honorees. In addition, 11 schools earned an Opportunity Honoree award for being in the top 10% for performance among students with disabilities, English learners, or economically disadvantaged students.
About LDOE’s Performance Scores
Since 1999, the state has issued School Performance Scores for public schools, which are based on student achievement data. In 2011, to communicate the quality of school performance to families and the public, Louisiana adopted letter grades (A-F). All schools with sufficient data receive school performance scores. Performance data is available on the LDOE website and will be available on the Louisiana School and Center Finder by the end of 2022.