The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Math. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Oakdale Elementary School
Oakdale Elementary School is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fourth grade in the small city of Oakdale, in Allen Parish, south Louisiana. It is operated by the Allen Parish School Board and is neither a charter nor a magnet school. The school is one of the community’s three public schools, alongside Oakdale Middle and Oakdale High, though the elementary campus itself serves only the youngest grades. For families considering this school, the context of Oakdale matters: the city has experienced a modest population decline over recent decades, and the local economy is shaped by a federal correctional complex, a large oriented-strand-board manufacturing plant, and a community hospital. Housing values in the area are notably lower than state and national benchmarks and have seen a decline in the past year, which aligns with the area’s overall economic picture.
Enrollment at Oakdale Elementary is distributed across grades PK through 4, with a fairly consistent number of students in each grade. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial share of Black students and a smaller but notable group of students who identify as two or more races. Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native students each represent a small portion of the enrollment. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which indicates that the school serves a population with significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available for this school, so those dimensions of support are not reflected here.
On state assessments, the Louisiana LEAP 2025 results for the 2024-25 school year offer the first look at academic performance for this school. In mathematics, about two-fifths of tested students scored at the proficient level or above, and in English language arts the rate was similar. Science proficiency was markedly lower, with about one in five students reaching that benchmark, and social studies proficiency fell in between. Participation was complete across all subjects. Because this is the only year of reported data for the school under the current assessment, there is no trend to describe. The social studies assessment saw a change in cut scores, which makes year-over-year comparisons uncertain. For a parent, these results suggest that core literacy and math skills are an area where many students are meeting expectations, while science and social studies represent points to discuss with the school about curriculum and support.
Because Oakdale Elementary serves only through fourth grade, there are no graduation rates, college readiness indicators, or advanced coursework offerings to consider. The school’s focus is entirely on early elementary instruction, and the typical next step for students is Oakdale Middle School. No information was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, or staffing ratios, so those aspects of school environment are not covered here. The comparison set for this school was limited to other districts within Allen Parish, and since there is only one district in the parish, no relative comparisons could be drawn.
In short, Oakdale Elementary is a neighborhood school in a small, economically modest city with a declining population. It serves a diverse-by-race but majority-white student body, with high economic need reflected in meal-program participation. Academic proficiency on state tests is moderate in reading and math and weaker in science, which is typical for an elementary school in a community with limited resources. Parents moving to the area or already living in Oakdale will find a school that covers the early grades and is part of the Allen Parish system, with no charter or magnet options at this level. Given the absence of data on special education and English learner programs, families with children who have specific learning needs may want to contact the school directly to understand available supports.
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