The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Southside Junior High School
Southside Junior High School is a regular public school in Denham Springs, Louisiana, serving students in sixth through eighth grade. It is part of the Livingston Parish Public Schools system, a district undergoing visible change. The school sits in a community that has grown as a commuter suburb of Baton Rouge, with a historic downtown that has evolved from hardware stores and doctor’s offices into an Antique Village of boutiques and cafes. The Amite River, which runs along the city’s edge, brought catastrophic flooding in 2016, a defining event that reshaped the city’s recovery and development trajectory.
Enrollment at Southside Junior High is spread across three grade levels, with the eighth-grade cohort the largest. The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. White students make up the largest share, followed by a substantial number of Hispanic students and a smaller but still significant number of Black students. Smaller groups of Asian students and students of two or more races are also present. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a signal of economic need across much of the school community. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the data, so families with children in those categories may need to follow up directly with the school.
On the Louisiana LEAP assessments, which measure proficiency against state standards, Southside Junior High’s results present a mixed picture. English language arts is the school’s strongest subject, with a notable share of students meeting the proficiency bar. Social studies also shows a moderate level of performance, with roughly two out of every five students reaching the target. Math and science, however, are more challenging for this student body, with proficiency rates lower than in English and social studies. A parent considering the school may want to ask about specific instructional supports in math and science and about how the school identifies and assists students who are not yet on grade level. Participation rates on the assessments were very high, meaning the results give a reliable picture of overall performance.
The school sits in Livingston Parish, a district that has been actively responding to enrollment growth. Voters approved a significant bond package in 2022 to fund new construction and renovations, and the district redrew attendance boundaries for the 2024-2025 school year, affecting many students. A new high school in the southern part of the parish is in the design phase. The district also renewed an operating property tax and expanded career and technical education pathways at the high school level. These changes mean that families moving into the area should verify their assigned school, as zones may have shifted. The broader tax impact of recent bonds is a consideration for homeowners.
The housing market in the general area reflects a national pattern of home values that have been rising modestly and rents that have increased more noticeably. Mortgage rates and unemployment have been stable. For a family looking at Denham Springs, the commuting distance to Baton Rouge is a central feature of the town’s identity, and the local economy is oriented toward retail, banking, and the public school system itself.
Southside Junior High is a middle school with a clear academic profile: its strength lies in English language arts, while math and science are areas where a larger share of students need additional support. The school serves a student body that is both economically diverse and demographically varied. Its district is investing in facilities and adjusting enrollment boundaries to accommodate growth. Families would be wise to confirm their attendance zone, ask about math and science intervention programs, and consider how the district’s recent tax measures affect their long-term housing costs.
See more original research from School Decision →