The top reported proficiency rate is 14% in English language arts. The lowest is 3% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Park Forest Middle School
Park Forest Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade in the eastern part of Baton Rouge, within the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. Baton Rouge, as a consolidated city-parish, blends the roles of state capital, major university hub, and industrial center along the Mississippi River. The city is largely car-dependent, with walkable pockets downtown and near Louisiana State University, and its neighborhoods range from historic areas near the riverfront to suburban-style development further out. The school is located in a residential area off Aletha Drive.
The student body is diverse in its composition, with most students identifying as Black, a substantial share identifying as Hispanic, and a small number of White or Asian students enrolled. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school serves a mid-sized middle school population for a building of this grade band.
State assessment results from Louisiana's LEAP 2025 tests, which are the primary academic benchmark for this grade range, show that the share of students scoring at proficient or advanced levels was low across all tested subjects. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was modest, while in mathematics, science, and social studies, very few students reached that bar. Parent readers should understand that these results place the school's overall academic performance in the bottom portion of all schools within East Baton Rouge Parish. The assessment data covers a single school year, so there is no multi-year trend to compare against. A change to the social studies assessment cut scores was noted for that year, which may affect comparability to prior results, but this does not change the current snapshot.
The school's participation rates on these state tests were high, meaning nearly all enrolled students took the exams, which gives a full picture of the student body's performance. Data on special education identification and English learner status were not available for this profile. Information on discipline rates, attendance, chronic absenteeism, and staffing levels was also absent, so a parent cannot assess those aspects of school climate from this record.
The broader East Baton Rouge Parish school system operates in a large, urban-suburban environment with a wide range of school outcomes. The district brief found no recent, publicly reported policy changes, curriculum shifts, or referendum results with lasting parent impact, so this profile reflects a stable institutional context without major recent upheaval.
For a family considering Park Forest Middle School, the core academic picture is clear: the school serves a diverse, majority low-income student body, and the proficiency rates on state assessments are low compared to many other schools in the parish. The absence of data on discipline, attendance, and special programs means a parent would want to explore those areas directly with the school. The school is not a charter or magnet, operates as a regular public school, and is part of a large parish district that encompasses both higher-performing and lower-performing schools.
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