The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Judice Middle School
Judice Middle School sits in Duson, a small, mainly residential town that straddles Acadia and Lafayette parishes. The school is part of Lafayette Parish, serving grades six through eight as a regular public school. Duson bills itself as a family-oriented community, and its employment base leans toward construction and food services. Median household income in the town is well below state and national averages, and a substantial share of Judice’s students, roughly six in ten, qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of the economic context families are navigating.
The student body reflects Duson’s changing demographics. The enrollment, which is moderate for a middle school, is made up of a plurality of white students, with Black and Hispanic students each representing roughly a quarter of the population, and smaller shares of Asian and multiracial students. This gives the school a solid degree of socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, a characteristic that families will weigh according to their own preferences rather than as a strength or weakness in itself.
On the most recently reported state assessments, Judice’s results are mixed. In English language arts, just under half of students scored at the proficient level, which is the higher end of what the state considers mastery on the LEAP 2025 assessment. Math proficiency is lower, with roughly a third of students meeting that bar. Science and social studies each show about three in ten students proficient. These figures place Judice’s overall proficiency above the midpoint compared to other schools within Lafayette Parish, meaning the school performs a bit better than the typical middle school in the district but still has ground to cover, especially in math and science, where the majority of students are not yet reaching proficiency.
The leadership at the district level appears stable; a search for recent district changes turned up little of lasting impact. That means families evaluating Judice are likely looking at a school where the conditions have been consistent rather than shifting under a major reorganization. Because Judice serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and data on special populations such as students with disabilities or English learners was not available. A parent who wants to understand how those groups are served would need to follow up with the school directly.
Housing in Duson remains relatively affordable. Home values are below the national median, and the estimated monthly mortgage on a typical home is modest compared to many parts of the country. Rents are also below the national average, though that still represents a substantial share of local income. The town is car-dependent, with most residents driving alone to work, and there is no walkable pedestrian infrastructure to speak of. Street life centers on community events like the annual Mardi Gras parade. Civic anchors include the town hall and police department, and St. Theresa Catholic Church is a longstanding community landmark. No public library or parks were identified in Duson itself; residents likely rely on parish-level facilities in Lafayette or Acadia Parish.
For a family considering Judice Middle School, the picture is one of a moderately performing school in a small, affordable, car-dependent town. The academic results are passable in English and weaker in math and science, with room for improvement that a parent would want to investigate by talking to the school about supports and interventions. The school’s diversity and high share of low-income students mean the peer environment is different from a more affluent suburban setting, and that will suit some families better than others. The district’s stability and the lack of recent upheaval suggest a predictable operating environment, which is a neutral but useful piece of information for any parent making a long-term plan.
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