The top reported proficiency rate is 17% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Young Audiences at Crocker Elementary
Young Audiences at Crocker Elementary is a public charter school in New Orleans serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It operates under the name Lawrence D. Crocker - Young Audiences Charter School, and its location on Marengo Street places it within the city’s dense urban fabric. New Orleans is a consolidated city-parish that functions as a major Gulf Coast port and commercial hub, with a mix of historic neighborhoods, a strong tourism and hospitality economy, and a growing film sector. The school sits in a city whose population has been shaped by the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina and subsequent redevelopment, with ongoing discussions about gentrification and displacement.
The student body is diverse in composition. Most students are Black, a substantial share are Hispanic, and very few are white or multiracial, with almost no Asian or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students represented. The vast majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places this school in a high-poverty context. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available; a parent may want to ask the school directly about its special education and English language learner supports, as those are important for understanding the full student profile.
Academically, the school’s state assessment results show a pattern that families will want to weigh carefully. On Louisiana’s LEAP 2025 tests, proficiency rates in math, English language arts, science, and social studies were all low, with English language arts the strongest of the four and science the weakest. Compared to other districts in Orleans Parish, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits in the bottom quartile. Participation rates on the tests were high, so these results reflect nearly all students who attend. The school serves a tested grade range, so these outcomes are directly comparable to other elementary and middle schools in the state, not an artifact of a nontested population.
Because the school ends at eighth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to report. Similarly, because the charter status is confirmed but the school does not serve high school grades, there is no data on advanced coursework, dual enrollment, or career pathways. A family considering this school for the full PK-8 span will want to understand what academic programming looks like in middle school and how the school prepares students for high school entry, since test results suggest foundational skills are an area of focus.
Housing in the school’s zip code reflects the broader New Orleans market. Home values are above national benchmarks, while rents are similarly high, and the local trend shows a slight recent softening. The city’s 30-year mortgage rates have been fluctuating around the mid-six percent range, aligning with national conditions.
The district-level brief turned up no recent parent-relevant changes, so there was nothing substantive to report about shifts in leadership, programming, or policy from that angle. Similarly, program offerings data was absent, so the narrative cannot describe arts, music, STEM, or other enrichment options that are often central to a school named after an arts education organization. The name Young Audiences suggests an arts focus, but the provided data does not confirm what that looks like in practice. A parent interested in arts integration should ask the school directly.
Overall, this is a high-poverty PK-8 charter in a major urban center, with a student population that is predominantly Black and Hispanic, and with state test results that are low relative to the district. The school’s small enrollment for its grade band means class sizes may be manageable, but the academic proficiency numbers point to a setting where many students are working below grade level. Families considering this school will want to learn about the specific instructional approach, any arts programming, and how the school supports students who need extra help to build academic skills.
See more original research from School Decision →