Original Research by School Decision on L.w. Higgins High School
L.W. Higgins High School is a regular public high school in Marrero, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish, serving grades nine through twelve. The school enrolls roughly the number of students you would expect for a comprehensive high school in a densely populated suburban community. Just under two-thirds of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a substantial majority of families are at or near the federal income threshold.
The student body is majority Black, with a sizable Hispanic population as well as smaller shares of white students and students of Asian or multiracial background. Data on the share of students with individualized education programs or English learner status was not available in the records we reviewed; a parent interested in special education or English language support would want to follow up directly with the school.
We looked for state assessment results and graduation rates, and neither was present in the data provided. This is a notable gap, because Louisiana tests high school students in core subjects and the state reports four-year graduation rates for all public high schools. Without these figures, it is not possible to characterize the school’s academic performance, course access, or on-time completion. A parent choosing between high schools would likely want to ask the school for its most recent test results and graduation rate before making a decision. We also found no information on Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, career and technical programs, or other course offerings.
The school sits within the Jefferson Parish Public School System, which has seen significant recent changes. The school board approved a consolidation plan in 2023 that closed and merged several schools across the parish and redrew attendance zones, with the goal of redirecting savings to remaining schools. Parents have raised concerns about longer commutes and disruption. In 2024, the board also approved over nine figures in budget cuts, reducing central office staff and transportation services and eliminating programs. On the curricular side, the district adopted a new evidence-based reading curriculum starting in the 2023-2024 school year and received a multi-year federal grant to expand STEM education, investing in technology upgrades and teacher training. Higgins High School likely participates in these district-wide initiatives, but the available data does not confirm which specific programs it offers.
Marrero itself is an unincorporated census-designated place with a car-dependent, suburban built environment. Most residents commute by car, and the area does not have a traditional walkable downtown. The community’s population has been declining gradually over the past decade. Home values in the immediate area sit somewhat above the state median but below the national median; rents have edged up modestly year over year. The dominant sectors locally are health care and retail, and the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park provides a major natural recreation anchor. The housing market is moderately affordable relative to national benchmarks, with monthly mortgage costs and rents that are below the national typical.
The peer environment at Higgins is shaped by its economic diversity—a high share of low-income students—and its racial and ethnic composition. Without attendance, discipline, or staffing data, we cannot speak to school climate or student support resources. The district’s recent consolidation and budget cuts mean that school boundaries and staffing levels may be in flux, which is worth investigating for any family considering this school. A parent would benefit from contacting the school directly for the missing academic and program information, as well as understanding how the district’s larger restructuring affects Higgins specifically.
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