The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Caldwell Parish Junior High School
Caldwell Parish Junior High School sits in Columbia, a very small town that serves as the parish seat of Caldwell Parish, situated on the southwest bank of the Ouachita River. The town developed historically as a riverboat town for shipping cotton and today is a mix of civic government, small commercial businesses, and residential areas. Columbia promotes itself as “The Little City of Happy Homes on the Ouachita” and emphasizes its preserved old town and Italian-immigrant heritage. The town is experiencing long-term population decline, not growth, with a steady drop over several decades. The school is a regular public school serving grades six through eight and is part of the Caldwell Parish district.
The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller share of Black students and a very small number of Hispanic students and students identifying as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment across the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades is distributed fairly evenly, with the eighth grade being the largest cohort.
State testing data for the most recent available year shows proficiency rates that are modest overall and would be considered below typical benchmarks in each subject. English language arts had the highest proficiency rate among the four subjects tested. Math, science, and social studies all showed lower proficiency rates. The school had full participation in testing. This is the only year of data available for these subjects, so there is no trend to compare. A parent may want to ask the school directly about how these results compare to prior years and what strategies are in place for improvement, particularly in math, science, and social studies.
Because this is a junior high school serving only grades six through eight, there is no graduation rate to report. Data on special education and English learner populations was not available in the data we received. Information on discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance was also not present.
Given that Caldwell Parish is the only school district in the parish, there is no meaningful comparison to other districts within the county. The school cannot be placed relative to local neighbors on proficiency or other metrics because the county contains no other districts.
Columbia’s housing market reflects a very affordable area. Homes are valued substantially below both the state and national benchmarks. The unemployment rate nationally is moderate, and the median household income nationally is at a level where the local housing market would be considered very accessible relative to income. The town covers only a small land area and is walkable in a physical sense, but with a very small population there is minimal street life. U.S. Route 165 passes through the center of town and is the primary highway connecting north to Monroe and south to Alexandria. Key civic anchors include the Schepis Museum, a Riverwalk along the Ouachita River, and several sites on the National Historic Register.
The data we received from the district brief did not turn up any recent parent-relevant changes such as curriculum shifts, referenda, or property-tax changes from the last several years. A parent considering this school may want to inquire with the district office about any current plans or initiatives that are underway.
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