JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOLS STATE REPORT CARD LETTER GRADE REMAINS STEADY AND SHOWS STUDENT PROGRESS TOWARDS MASTERY OF STATE STANDARDS

Fifty Percent of Schools Increased English Learner Scores and Six Schools Earned Top Status in the State

HARVEY, LA (November 13, 2023) The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released District Performance Scores (DPS) and School Performance Scores (SPS) this morning.

In 2021, Jefferson Parish Schools (JP Schools) were one of only 20 districts in Louisiana to show growth on its DPS. In 2022, JP Schools’ DPS improved again and was one of the top 19 districts in the state for LEAP mastery growth. This year, the district’s DPS saw a slight decrease from a 74.4 to a 71.1, which remains as a letter grade of a ‘C’. However, the district’s Assessment Index, which measures how students grew last school year, increased 0.7 points and equates to a letter grade of a ‘B’. The district Progress Index, which measures how students are progressing toward Mastery on LEAP 2025, grew 3.5 points and exceeds the district’s pre-pandemic number. 

“The information we learn from these scores is important because it shows where we are gaining the most with our students and where we may need to adjust,” said Dr. James Gray, Superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools. “As a district, we will use this data as a new baseline as we continue to educate our students post-pandemic and Hurricane Ida. It helps us identify a new starting point for our kids on their academic journey and continuously build upon the foundation we’ve established.”

Additionally, JP Schools saw a 1.6 district-wide increase in student achievement on the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), which is the state’s annual assessment for English Learners. The district also saw a 13 point district-wide increase in student achievement on LEAP Connect, which equates to an increase in a letter grade of a ‘B’ to an ‘A’. LEAP Connect is the state’s annual assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

In addition to increases in Assessment Index, Progress Index, ELPT, and LEAP Connect data, the district’s results show: 

• Forty percent of schools increased their SPS from 2022 to 2023.
• Nine schools improved their SPS by five points or higher. Those schools are: Frederick Douglass Community School, Grand Isle School, Harold Keller Elementary School, Jefferson RISE Charter School, Jefferson Virtual High School, McDonogh 26 Elementary School, Phoebe Hearst School, Stella Worley Middle School, and Woodmere School.
• Fifty percent of schools increased their ELPT scores from 2022 to 2023, and 25 Jefferson Parish schools increased their ELPT scores by five points or higher. Those schools are: Alice Birney Elementary School, Bissonet Plaza School, Ella C. Pittman Elementary School, Estelle School, Fisher Middle/High School, G.T. Woods School, George Cox Elementary School, Grand Isle School, Green Park Elementary School, Harahan Elementary School, Harold Keller Elementary School, J.D. Meisler Middle School, Jefferson Elementary School, Jefferson RISE Charter School, Jefferson Virtual High School, John James Audubon School, McDonogh 26 Elementary School, Paul J. Solis Elementary School, Phoebe Hearst School, Rudolph Matas School, Ruppel Academie Francaise, Stella Worley Middle School, T.H. Harris Middle School, and Young Audiences Charter School.
• Sixty percent of schools increased their LEAP Connect scores from 2022 to 2023. Those schools are: A.C. Alexander School, Alice Birney Elementary School, Bissonet Plaza School, Bridgedale Elementary School, Congetta Trippe Janet Elementary School, Chateau Estates School, Clancy-Maggiore School for the Arts, East Jefferson High School, Emmett Gilbert School of Excellence at Ford, Estelle School, Fisher Middle/High School, G.T. Woods School, George Cox Elementary School, Geraldine Boudreaux, Harahan School, Hazel Park/Hilda Knoff School, J.C. Ellis School, J.D. Meisler Middle School, Jefferson RISE, John James Audubon School, John Q. Adams Middle School, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, Livaudais Middle School, Lucille Cherbonnier School, Marrero Middle School, McDonogh #26 Elementary School, Paul J. Solis Elementary School, Phoebe Hearst School, Riverdale High School, Shirley Johnson/Gretna Park Elementary School, Stella Worley Middle School, T. H. Harris Middle School, West Jefferson High School, and Woodland West School.
• Seven schools improved their letter grade. Jefferson Virtual High School improved from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’. Frederick Douglass Community School, Jefferson RISE Charter School, and Phoebe Hearst School improved from a ‘D’ to a ‘C’. McDonogh 26 Elementary School, Stella Worley Middle School, and Woodmere School improved from an ‘F’ to a ‘D’. 
• Twenty-three Jefferson Parish schools surpassed their pre-pandemic achievement numbers, showing an increase in SPS from 2019 to 2023. Those schools are: Airline Park Academy,  Allen Ellender School, Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School, East Jefferson High School, Grand Isle School, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Haynes Academy, Jefferson RISE Charter School, John Clancy/Joseph Maggiore Elementary School, John Ehret High School, John James Audubon School, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, L.W. Higgins High School, Livaudais Middle School, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Phoebe Hearst School, Ralph J Bunche Elementary, Riverdale High School, Stella Worley Middle School, Tom Benson School, William Hart Elementary School, Woodmere School, and Young Audiences Charter School.
• Three of Louisiana’s top 10 elementary schools are from Jefferson Parish. Metairie Academy ranked second, Gretna #2 Academy ranked fifth, and Airline Park Academy ranked eighth.
• Three of Louisiana’s top 10 high schools are from Jefferson Parish. Haynes Academy ranked first, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy ranked third, and Thomas Jefferson Academy ranked seventh.
• The state recognized 30 Jefferson Parish schools - 41% of the district - as Top Gains Honorees, meaning they showed exceptional student growth. Those schools are: A.C. Alexander School, Airline Park Academy, Allen Ellender School, Bridgedale Elementary School, Chateau Estates School, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, Grand Isle School, Green Park Elementary School, Greenlawn Terrace Elementary School, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Harahan School, Harold Keller Elementary School, Haynes Academy, Hazel Park/Hilda Knoff School, Jefferson Virtual High School, John Clancy/Joseph Maggiore Elementary School, Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary School, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy,  Leo E. Kerner Jr. Elementary School, Marie B. Riviere Elementary School, Metairie Academy, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Ralph J. Bunche Elementary, Ray St. Pierre Academy, Riverdale High School, Ruppel Academie Francaise, Shirley Johnson/Gretna Park Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Academy, Walter Schneckenburger Elementary School, and William Hart Elementary School.
• Twelve Jefferson Parish schools were named Opportunity Honorees, which means they performed in the 90th percentile or above for students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and/or English learners. Those schools are: Airline Park Academy, Bridgedale Elementary School, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Haynes Academy, Jefferson Virtual High School, Metairie Academy, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Ray St. Pierre Academy, Riverdale High School, Ruppel Academie Francaise, Thomas Jefferson Academy, and Walter Schneckenburger Elementary School.
• Ten schools earned an ‘A’ rating. Those schools are: Airline Park Academy, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Haynes Academy, Jefferson Virtual High School, Metairie Academy, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Ray St. Pierre Academy, Riverdale High School, Ruppel Academie Francaise, and Thomas Jefferson Academy.

“Strong schools build strong communities, and strong communities build strong schools,” said Dr. James Gray. “I'm proud of our collective efforts and grateful for our students, teachers, support staff, administrators, district staff, families, School Board, and community for their support and hard work.”