The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lucille Cherbonnier School
Lucille Cherbonnier School is a regular public school in Waggaman, Louisiana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It operates within the Jefferson Parish Public School System and is not a charter or magnet school. The school enrolls a substantial number of students for a K-8 campus, drawing from the surrounding residential community on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, within the New Orleans metro area. Waggaman is an unincorporated census-designated place described as a car-dependent suburb with a rural feel, organized around subdivisions and highway corridors rather than a traditional downtown. The population has been relatively stable over recent decades, and the housing market reflects moderate home values and rents consistent with the broader Jefferson Parish area.
Academically, the state’s LEAP 2025 assessments for grades three through eight reveal that student proficiency rates across all tested subjects are low. In English language arts, roughly one in six students scored at the proficient level or above. In mathematics, the share was even smaller. Science and social studies proficiency rates were also low. The school’s average scale scores in each subject fell below what is typical statewide. Because the school serves only through eighth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to consider. The available state testing data covers a single year, so no trend information is available to indicate whether performance is improving or declining.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a sizable Hispanic population and a smaller White share. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a community where many families face economic challenges. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records. No discipline, staffing, or chronic absenteeism data was provided, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those areas.
The school’s district, Jefferson Parish Public Schools, has been undergoing significant changes that could affect Lucille Cherbonnier School. A consolidation plan approved in 2023 included school closures, mergers, and redrawn attendance zones across both banks of the parish, driven by declining enrollment and aging facilities. The district also approved budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year, reducing central office staff and transportation services. On the positive side, the district adopted a new evidence-based reading curriculum beginning in 2023-2024 and received a federal grant to expand STEM education, which may bring resources to schools like this one. These district-level shifts mean that the zoning, program offerings, and support at Cherbonnier could evolve in the coming years.
The school’s location in Waggaman means families are likely to rely on cars for commuting; there is no dedicated pedestrian infrastructure documented, and transit details were not found. The local civic anchors include a library and a park, but the area lacks a concentrated commercial or civic center. For a parent considering this school, the academic performance data warrants close attention, and the ongoing district restructuring may influence the school’s trajectory and the neighborhood’s appeal.
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