Vernon Parish, LA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Vernon Parish

Vernon Parish School District serves a broad, rural area in western Louisiana, covering the towns and communities of Leesville, Anacoco, Hornbeck, Rosepine, Simpson, Pitkin, Evans, Hicks, and others. The district is notable for being home to Fort Polk, now known as Fort Johnson, a major U.S. Army installation whose presence shapes the local economy and population. The district operates eighteen schools, including several small high schools spread across the parish, as well as elementary and middle schools. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

On the state assessments administered in grades three through eight, the district’s results show a mixed picture. In English language arts, just over half of students met the proficiency bar, a solid result for a district of this size and setting. In math, about a third of students reached the proficient level, which is on the lower side and signals that many students are building foundational skills rather than mastering grade-level expectations. Science and social studies returned similar proficiency rates, also around a third. These figures come from Louisiana’s LEAP 2025 tests and reflect all students in the tested grades. Participation was near universal, so the results capture nearly the entire eligible student population.

The high school picture is harder to assess from the available data. The district’s graduation rate was not reported in the information we reviewed, nor were other high school outcomes such as college readiness or career pathway participation. A parent considering the district for older students may want to inquire directly with the district or individual high schools about graduation rates, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement offerings, and postsecondary planning.

The student body is diverse in background, with a majority of students identifying as white and substantial shares who are Black or Hispanic, along with smaller groups of students who are multiracial, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The district’s enrollment is typical for a rural parish, with a gradual decline in numbers from the early elementary grades through high school, suggesting some families may move or enroll elsewhere as children age. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals was not available, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners. Those are notable gaps for a family trying to gauge the level of economic need or the extent of specialized support within the district.

The housing market across Vernon Parish reflects the area’s rural and military-connected character. Home values are notably below the national median and also below the Louisiana state median, placing the parish among more affordable parts of the state. Rents are moderate as well, and the cost of a mortgage is relatively low compared to household incomes. Some zip codes have seen year-over-year declines in home values, while others held steady or rose slightly. This mix suggests a market that is not under intense pressure, which can be a plus for families looking for stable, affordable housing near the schools.

The district’s locale and community details beyond the presence of Fort Johnson and the list of towns were not included in the information we had. We also did not find data on discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or per-pupil spending. These are all areas a prospective resident might want to explore further with the district’s central office or through school visit conversations.

Overall, Vernon Parish School District offers a wide geographic network of schools serving small-town and rural communities, with a central economy tied to a military installation. Academic performance in elementary and middle school is uneven, with reading as a relative strength and math and science needing attention. For families who prioritize small, community-rooted schools and a low-cost housing market, the district may be a practical fit. The lack of transparency around high school outcomes and student support data means that anyone considering a move should be prepared to ask direct questions of the district to fill in those gaps.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

9,075

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 10%

Black 13%

White 67%

Asian 1%

Two+ 8%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 1%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

47%

58%

Gr 4

45%

58%

Gr 6

—

61%

Gr 7

47%

61%

Gr 8

49%

63%

Gr 38

47%

60%

Math

Gr 3

34%

47%

Gr 4

40%

46%

Gr 5

31%

41%

Gr 6

28%

49%

Gr 7

27%

39%

Gr 8

29%

48%

Gr 38

31%

45%

Science

Gr 3

19%

29%

Gr 4

30%

42%

Gr 5

35%

52%

Gr 6

19%

42%

Gr 7

27%

42%

Gr 8

30%

49%

Gr 38

27%

43%

Social studies

Gr 3

20%

35%

Gr 4

28%

38%

Gr 5

32%

44%

Gr 6

23%

36%

Gr 7

29%

42%

Gr 8

31%

50%

Gr 38

28%

41%

Schools in this District

18 schools are officially reported under this district.

North Elementary School

Anacoco High School

East Leesville Elementary School

Evans High School

Hicks High School

Hornbeck High School

Leesville High School

Leesville Junior High School

Pickering Elementary School

Pitkin High School

Parkway Elementary School

Rosepine High School

Simpson High School

Vernon Middle School

West Leesville Elementary School

Pickering High School

Rosepine Elementary School

Anacoco Elementary School

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

1 grade reported

35%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

51%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

31%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

31%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$156,899

Year-over-year change-5.7%

Range across 8 ZIP codes$114K to $190K

vs. state typical0.73x

vs. national typical0.43x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (8 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
71446	Leesville	$160K	-5.1%	49.8%
70656	Leesville	$131K	-9.3%	15.2%
71403	Anacoco	$169K	-4.0%	9.6%
71438	Hineston	$152K	-9.4%	7.3%
70634	Deridder	$178K	-2.8%	6.8%
71439	Hornbeck	$160K	-3.0%	3.2%
71429	Florien	$190K	+4.7%	0.4%
71461	New Llano	$114K	-8.1%	0.2%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,361/mo

Year-over-year change+7.8%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$1,176 to $1,387/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
71446	Leesville	$1,387	+7.8%	49.8%
70634	Deridder	$1,176	—	6.8%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$792/mo

Home price / national median income1.9x

Annual rent / national median income19.5%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$569/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.