The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 21% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on John James Audubon School
John James Audubon School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Kenner, Louisiana, as part of the Jefferson Parish Public School System. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The student body is moderately sized for a PK–8 campus, and the school draws from a community that is majority Hispanic, with significant shares of Black and White students and a smaller Asian presence. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was not available; families with children in those categories may want to inquire directly with the school about support structures.
On Louisiana’s LEAP assessments, which measure proficiency in math, English language arts, science, and social studies across grades three through eight, the school’s results are modest. In English language arts, about a third of students scored at the proficient level or above, while in math the proportion was roughly a quarter. Science and social studies proficiency rates were somewhat lower. These figures come from a single testing year, so no trend direction is available. Participation on test day was high, which gives the results a solid basis. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
The Jefferson Parish district has been navigating significant changes that affect Audubon School and its families. A consolidation plan approved in 2023 closed and merged schools across the parish and redrew attendance zones, with parents raising concerns about longer commutes. The district also made substantial budget cuts for the 2024–2025 school year, reducing central office staff and transportation services. On a more positive note, the district adopted a new evidence-based reading curriculum starting in the 2023–2024 year and received a federal grant to enhance STEM education across multiple schools. These district-level decisions shape the resources and programming available at Audubon.
Kenner is a car-dependent suburban city west of New Orleans, home to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, a major employer and tax base. The city’s growth dates to the 1950s and 1960s when developers drained swampland and built subdivisions along new interstate highways. Today, the population is declining slightly, and the median home value in the area sits near the national average, with rents somewhat more affordable relative to income. The city offers a mix of suburban residential neighborhoods, commercial strips, and a historic district with cultural venues. A large mall is largely vacant and awaiting redevelopment. For families, the commute patterns and spread-out nature of the city mean that getting to school and activities requires a car.
Overall, John James Audubon School provides a full pre-K through middle school pathway within a district undergoing transition. The proficiency rates on state tests are not high relative to state expectations, and a parent may want to look into what academic interventions or enrichment opportunities are available, especially given the budget constraints and consolidation underway. The school’s demographic makeup reflects the broader Kenner community, and the lack of publicly reported data on discipline, course access, and staffing leaves gaps that visiting the school or speaking with staff would help fill. For families seeking a neighborhood school with a diverse student body and a manageable size through eighth grade, Audubon is a straightforward option, but its academic performance and the district’s shifting landscape are worth careful examination.
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