The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School
Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School is a regular public charter school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in New Orleans. It operates as its own school district—a single-school charter local education agency—which means it manages its own operations, budget, and curriculum independently of the larger Orleans Parish school system. The school draws a student body that is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic population, and a very small share of white, Asian, or multiracial students. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a high level of economic need in the surrounding community.
The school’s academic performance on Louisiana’s LEAP 2025 assessments for grades three through eight is an area a parent would want to examine closely. Across all four tested subjects—math, English language arts, science, and social studies—the share of students scoring proficient or above is well below typical levels for the state. ELA is the relative bright spot, with a larger share of students meeting the bar than in the other subjects, but proficiency in math, science, and social studies is low enough that a parent should look into what academic supports are available. Student participation rates on the assessments were complete, so the results reflect the full tested population.
Because the school serves only through eighth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. That is an expected gap. Similarly, data on special education enrollment and English learner status were not available, nor were chronic absenteeism or discipline numbers. A parent considering the school would want to ask the school directly about how it supports students with individualized education plans and those learning English, and about school climate and attendance patterns.
The school is located in New Orleans, a dense urban city-parish that functions as a major Gulf Coast port and a hub for tourism, hospitality, and film production. The city’s economy and culture are distinctive, shaped by its music, Creole cuisine, and annual festivals such as Mardi Gras. The historic French Quarter anchors the downtown core, while institutions such as Tulane University and Audubon Park define the Uptown area. New Orleans was severely affected by Hurricane Katrina and has undergone substantial redevelopment since then, though population estimates show a recent decline. The housing market in the school’s ZIP code has seen a slight softening in home values and rents in the past year, with typical home prices sitting near the national median. The local unemployment rate has been stable and is moderate by national standards.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School is a neighborhood school that serves a primarily low-income population. Its academic results on state tests place it in the bottom quartile when compared to the small number of other school districts in Orleans Parish that have available data—a comparison set that includes only a handful of entities, so the ranking should be interpreted with that narrow scope in mind. The school’s charter status means families choose it, but it also means the school operates with a degree of autonomy that can shape how resources are allocated. For a parent weighing this school, the central question is whether the academic supports, instruction, and school environment align with their child’s needs, especially given the proficiency gaps evident in the state data.
See more original research from School Decision →