The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Frederick Douglass Community School
Frederick Douglass Community School is an alternative school in Gretna, Louisiana, serving grades three through eight as part of the Jefferson Parish Public School System. Because the school is an alternative setting, parents should understand that the student population and academic context here may differ meaningfully from a traditional elementary or middle school. The school is relatively small, with an enrollment of less than a hundred students spread across the upper elementary and middle grades, and the majority of those students are Black, followed by smaller shares of White and Hispanic students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
The academic performance data from the Louisiana LEAP 2025 assessments, covering the school year that ended in 2025, shows proficiency rates that are well below the state average across all tested subjects. In English language arts, about one in six students scored at the proficient level. In math, the rate was notably lower, with roughly one in twenty students scoring proficient. Science and social studies proficiency rates were similarly low, falling below one in ten students. These are soft spots that a parent considering this school should investigate further with the school or district to understand what academic supports are in place and how the school measures growth, not just absolute proficiency. Because the data represents a single year of results, and the school's alternative designation means its student body may include students who have experienced interrupted education or other challenges, the context for interpreting these scores is important.
The school serves only grades three through eight, so there is no graduation rate to report. The comparison fact-set, based on districts within Jefferson Parish, was unable to calculate a proficiency index or chronic absenteeism rate because there was insufficient data from peer schools to make a comparison. This limits a family's ability to gauge the school's relative standing among its neighbors, though the absolute proficiency numbers are clear.
Gretna itself is a mixed residential and commercial city that serves as the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, sitting on the west bank of the Mississippi River just across from New Orleans. Its historic downtown district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a walkable core with older architecture, a civic center, and cultural anchors like the German-American Cultural Center and the Louisiana State Fire Museum. The city functions as both a suburb of New Orleans and a governmental hub, with the Jefferson Parish Government Center downtown. Major employers include the parish government, Zatarain's food company, and retail outlets such as Oakwood Shopping Center. The median household income and poverty rate in Gretna reflect a working-class character, and the city was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Recent growth has been modest.
The district, Jefferson Parish Public School System, has gone through notable changes in recent years. A school consolidation plan was approved in 2023, involving closures and mergers of schools on both the East Bank and West Bank, along with redrawn attendance zones. Parents have raised concerns about longer commutes and disruption. The district also approved budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year, citing declining enrollment and state funding shortfalls, which have included reductions in central office staff, transportation services, and some programs. On the positive side, the district adopted a new evidence-based reading curriculum beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, aligned with a state-level reading initiative, and received a federal grant to enhance STEM education across multiple schools.
For a family, Frederick Douglass Community School presents a specific picture. The low proficiency rates are a clear concern, though they must be weighed against the school's alternative mission. A parent would want to visit the school, ask about the academic programs and interventions available, and understand how the school supports students who may be behind grade level. The broader district context of consolidation and budget cuts means the school's programs and staffing could be subject to change. Gretna offers a mix of historic character and suburban amenities, with a working-class cost of living, but the housing market in the area has seen home values decline recently, which may be a factor for homebuyers. This is a school that likely serves a particular population with specific needs, and a family enrolling here should do so with a clear understanding of the academic starting point and the support system the school provides.
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