The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on George Cox Elementary School
George Cox Elementary School is a regular public school in Gretna, Louisiana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Jefferson Parish Public School System. It sits on Belle Chasse Highway in a city that functions as both the parish seat and a working-class suburb across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. The school is one of many in a district that has recently approved significant consolidation and budget cuts, a context any family considering this school should take into account.
State testing data from the 2024-25 LEAP 2025 assessments shows that student performance across all four tested subjects falls well below a majority proficiency mark. English language arts is the relative area of greatest strength, yet still only a modest share of students reached the proficient level. In math, the proficient share is lower, while science and social studies results are similarly low. Participation on test day was complete, so the outcomes reflect nearly all students in the tested grades. Only a single year of data is available, so there is no trend line to examine. A cut-score change was applied to social studies, which means that subject’s result may not be directly comparable to prior years; a parent might want to ask the school for more context on how that change affected the scores.
Gretna is a dense, built-out suburb with a historic downtown district listed on the National Register, a working-class character, and a mix of older residential neighborhoods and commercial strips anchored by the Oakwood Shopping Center. The city was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina and has since seen only modest population growth. Housing values in the area have risen at a pace above the national average in the recent period, though homes remain relatively affordable compared to many U.S. markets. Rents have increased more gradually. A ferry connection runs across the river to New Orleans, and the typical commute is of moderate length. Major local employers include Jefferson Parish government, Zatarain’s food manufacturing, and retail along the commercial corridors.
The student body at Cox Elementary is diverse. Hispanic students form the largest group, followed by Black students, with smaller shares of White students and those from other racial backgrounds. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a standard indicator of economic disadvantage. The available data did not include the share of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how those populations are supported and what resources are available.
The Jefferson Parish school system has been in a period of notable change. A consolidation plan approved in 2023 has led to school closures, mergers, and redrawn attendance zones, with the district stating that savings will be redirected to remaining schools. The school board also approved a round of budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year, affecting central office staffing and transportation. On the positive side, the district adopted an evidence-based reading curriculum beginning in the 2023-2024 school year and received a federal grant to enhance STEM education across the parish. How these initiatives and financial pressures specifically affect Cox Elementary is not detailed in the available data, but the broader district direction is something a family should investigate further, particularly regarding potential boundary changes and program stability.
George Cox Elementary is a school whose academic results are low, set within a diverse and economically mixed peer environment and a stable working-class suburb. The school district itself is navigating major structural changes that could reshape what families experience. Parents who are considering this school may want to engage with administrators about academic supports, the status of reading and STEM programs at the site, and how district consolidation plans might affect attendance zones or busing in their area. The school’s profile fits a family that is anchoring in Gretna’s affordable housing market and is prepared to be an active participant in understanding where the district’s changes may lead.
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