The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in English language arts. The lowest is 3% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Jonesboro-hodge Middle School
Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School serves grades six through eight in the town of Jonesboro, the parish seat of Jackson Parish in north Louisiana. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits within the Jackson Parish school system. The school is located on Old Winnfield Highway and, based on its grade band, feeds from local elementary schools and moves students on to the parish high school.
The student body is small for a middle school. The school’s racial composition is predominantly Black, with a substantial share of White students and a small number of multiracial students. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is high, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
State test results from the Louisiana LEAP 2025 assessments provide a picture of student performance that parents will want to consider carefully. In English language arts, about one in seven students scored at the proficient level or above. In mathematics, the share was about one in fourteen. In science, the share was very low, and in social studies it was also low. These proficiency rates are well below statewide averages, and the pattern across all four tested subjects is consistent. The school had full participation in testing, so the results reflect the full student body. Because this is the only year of data available for this recent assessment, there is no trend to examine yet.
The middle school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. The school’s state testing data for fourth and fifth grades is not applicable here, as it serves only middle grades, and the LEAP assessments cover those grades. The parent district, Jackson Parish, searches for recent changes or strategic initiatives did not yield material of lasting impact, so the district’s direction from the data alone is not elaborated.
Jonesboro is a small industrial mill town that functions as the parish’s economic and governmental center. The downtown runs along Jimmie Davis Boulevard and includes the parish courthouse, local banks, and churches. Major employers include the Jackson Parish Correctional Center, the school board, and Louisiana Delta Community College, which has a Jonesboro campus offering welding and business courses. The town’s population has been stable with modest fluctuation over recent decades, and the housing market is affordable. Median home values have increased over time but remain low relative to state and national benchmarks. The town’s growth trajectory appears slow, with no major new housing or commercial developments publicly reported.
For a family considering this school, the academic pathway is clear from the proficiency data: a majority of students will need significant academic support to reach grade-level expectations. The peer environment reflects the town’s economic and demographic character. The school is integrated into the town fabric rather than on a separated campus, and the parish’s school board oversees all three Jonesboro-Hodge schools within the same community. Parents seeking a school with strong state test performance will find the numbers here well below typical expectations, and they may want to contact the school directly to understand what academic interventions, tutoring, or specialized programs are in place. For families already in the area, the school’s small size and local governance structure are straightforward.
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