Orleans Parish, LA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Orleans Parish

Orleans Parish is a school district unlike most others. It operates as a unitary school system covering the entire city of New Orleans, but nearly all of its schools are independently run charter schools. The district itself retains oversight of facilities, enrollment, and some central services, but individual school leaders have wide authority over curriculum, staffing, and culture. For a parent, this means the district is more of a network of distinct schools than a single system with one approach. What you get depends heavily on which school you choose.

The student population of the district’s direct-run schools is small relative to the city's overall enrollment, and it is heavily concentrated in the youngest grades. More than half of the students in this count are in kindergarten through fifth grade. The high school grades serve only a small number of students, which matters because it means the district's own data, particularly on graduation rates and advanced coursework, may not reflect the experience of the many high school students who attend Orleans Parish charter schools that report separately. The racial composition is overwhelmingly Black, with small shares of Hispanic, white, and Asian students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in this profile.

State test results for the 2024-25 school year offer a mixed but clear picture. On the LEAP 2025 assessments, proficiency rates across all tested grades in math, English language arts, science, and social studies are below the midpoint of what the state reports. In math, about a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the figure was a bit higher, above a third. Science and social studies were lower. Compared to other districts within Orleans Parish, the district's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. This is a significant gap. A parent considering a district-run school should expect that academic outcomes, as measured by state tests, are a weakness relative to most other options in the city. Participation rates were very high, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students.

On a more positive note, the chronic absenteeism rate, at a modest figure, falls in the top quartile among Orleans Parish districts. That suggests that, despite the academic challenges, students in this district's schools are showing up at rates better than many of their peers elsewhere in the city. This is a meaningful strength, particularly for families who worry about school engagement and attendance.

Spending per pupil is at the high end among the parish's districts. The district allocates a large amount per student compared to most others in the county. Whether that spending translates into resources a parent can see, such as smaller class sizes, arts programs, or support staff, is something to ask about at specific schools.

Housing in New Orleans varies widely by neighborhood, and the district covers the entire city. Home values range from modest to high, with some areas seeing values rise and others declining slightly. Rental costs also vary. The market overall is less expensive than the national average, but the range across New Orleans neighborhoods is broad, so local conditions matter a great deal. The community and economic data reflect a city with a wide income distribution.

The district brief turned up one notable public record. In November 2022, New Orleans voters approved a property tax millage renewal for early childhood education, a measure that continues funding the City Seats program, which provides free early childhood education for children from low-income families. This is a renewal that keeps existing funding in place rather than a new program, but it does signal a sustained local commitment to early learning access.

There is no graduation rate available in this profile. Because the district's high school enrollment is very small compared to the lower grades, the district likely does not operate comprehensive high schools that would produce a traditional graduation rate. A parent with a high school student should look directly at the charter high schools in Orleans Parish, which are not represented in this district's academic results.

For a family weighing this district, the key takeaway is about choice and selectivity. The academic proficiency numbers are low and the district's direct-run schools serve a small fraction of New Orleans students, mostly in elementary grades. The chronic absenteeism picture is better than many peers. The housing market is the broader New Orleans market, which has both value and variability. This district is not a single destination; it is a starting point for understanding which specific school your child would attend, because the district's role is largely as an authorizer and landlord rather than the direct provider of a unified educational experience.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

2,128

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 5%

Black 93%

White 1%

Asian 0%

Two+ 1%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

28%

70%

Gr 4

30%

73%

Gr 5

27%

70%

Gr 6

28%

70%

Gr 7

33%

73%

Gr 8

34%

72%

Gr 38

30%

72%

Math

Gr 3

19%

58%

Gr 4

21%

62%

Gr 5

14%

54%

Gr 6

17%

59%

Gr 7

19%

60%

Gr 8

20%

52%

Gr 38

18%

58%

Science

Gr 3

44%

Gr 4

17%

60%

Gr 5

22%

66%

Gr 6

12%

48%

Gr 7

21%

64%

Gr 8

18%

62%

Gr 38

17%

58%

Social studies

Gr 3

10%

44%

Gr 4

19%

62%

Gr 5

21%

65%

Gr 6

17%

54%

Gr 7

25%

67%

Gr 8

29%

71%

Gr 38

20%

60%

Schools in this District

5 schools are officially reported under this district.

Mary Bethune Elementary Literature/Technology

Travis Hill School

Benjamin Franklin Elem. Math and Science

Elan Academy Charter School

The Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

24%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

37%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

23%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

27%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$201,898

Year-over-year change+2.3%

Range across 17 ZIP codes$153K to $521K

vs. state typical0.94x

vs. national typical0.55x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (17 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
70129	New Orleans	$153K	+5.6%	53.6%
70126	New Orleans	$154K	+4.2%	7.1%
70131	New Orleans	$213K	-3.6%	6.9%
70124	New Orleans	$504K	+0.8%	3.9%
70122	New Orleans	$223K	-5.7%	3.7%
70117	New Orleans	$174K	-3.2%	3.3%
70127	New Orleans	$167K	-0.9%	3.2%
70114	New Orleans	$164K	-5.0%	3.0%
70128	New Orleans	$174K	-2.4%	2.8%
70118	New Orleans	$368K	0.0%	2.7%

Showing top 10 of 17 ZIP codes by land area weight

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,590/mo

Year-over-year change-1.1%

Range across 15 ZIP codes$1,343 to $1,969/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (15 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
70126	New Orleans	$1,579	+0.3%	7.1%
70131	New Orleans	$1,390	-9.5%	6.9%
70124	New Orleans	$1,969	+1.4%	3.9%
70122	New Orleans	$1,421	-0.3%	3.7%
70117	New Orleans	$1,559	+1.7%	3.3%
70127	New Orleans	$1,343	—	3.2%
70114	New Orleans	$1,542	+1.1%	3.0%
70118	New Orleans	$1,844	+1.8%	2.7%
70119	New Orleans	$1,602	-0.3%	2.7%
70115	New Orleans	$1,720	-0.2%	2.3%
70125	New Orleans	$1,778	-2.5%	1.4%
70130	New Orleans	$1,748	+1.1%	1.3%
70116	New Orleans	$1,594	+0.0%	0.8%
70112	New Orleans	$1,766	-0.5%	0.6%
70113	New Orleans	$1,644	+5.6%	0.5%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,019/mo

Home price / national median income2.4x

Annual rent / national median income22.8%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$571/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$214,728 (+0.9% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.