The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in English language arts. The lowest is 44% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Morehouse Magnet School
Morehouse Magnet School serves students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade in Bastrop, Louisiana, as a regular public school within the Morehouse Parish system. The school is small, with an enrollment of a few hundred students, and it draws a mix of families from across the parish. The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial white minority and very small shares of Hispanic and multiracial students. A very small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a figure that is notably low compared with many public schools in similar rural settings—a parent may want to look into this further with the school, as the figure may reflect a particular programmatic or application dynamic rather than the broader community’s economic profile.
Academically, the school’s state test results present a picture that varies by subject and should be read with some caution, because the data available for recent years includes a change in how social studies cut scores were set, which makes direct year-over-year comparisons uncertain. On the English language arts state assessment, a solid majority of students tested in grades three through eight scored at the proficient or advanced level, a strong showing. In math, results were reported in a range, with roughly two-thirds of students reaching those same proficiency thresholds, also a positive outcome. Science proficiency was lower, with fewer than half of students scoring at the proficient or advanced level, and social studies landed at a similar level. The school’s participation rate on these tests was full, so the results reflect nearly the entire eligible student body. For a small school that covers all grade levels, these proficiency numbers are mixed: ELA and math are clear strengths, while science and social studies are areas where performance is softer and may warrant attention from families who prioritize those subjects.
Because the school serves all grades from pre-K through twelve, some traditional high school metrics, such as a four-year graduation rate, were not available in the data reviewed. That is a notable gap for families considering the upper grades here, and they would want to ask the school directly about graduation outcomes. The data also did not include information on Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, or career and technical education course access, so it is unclear what pathways are available for high school students beyond the core curriculum. The school’s website may offer that detail.
The school sits within the Morehouse Parish district, which operates several schools in the Bastrop area. Bastrop itself is the parish seat and commercial center, with a historic downtown organized around a courthouse square that hosts community events and concerts. The local economy has experienced significant change in recent years, including the closure of a major paper mill and poultry processing facilities, with some replacement industries arriving. The city’s population has been declining, and median home values in the area are well below state and national benchmarks. Housing is relatively affordable, with typical home prices near the lower end of the national range. The nearest larger city, Monroe, is roughly a half-hour drive south via U.S. Highway 165.
For a family considering Morehouse Magnet School, the key takeaways are a small, majority Black student body, strong elementary and middle grade reading and math proficiency, weaker performance in science and social studies, and an open question about what high school programming looks like given the lack of graduation and course access data. The school’s magnet designation may imply a particular focus or admissions process, but the data reviewed did not clarify that. The community context is one of economic transition and population decline, with affordable but modest housing. Families who value a close-knit, small-school environment in a rural parish seat, and who see strength in the school’s ELA and math outcomes, may find it a solid fit. Those looking for robust high school options or higher science and social studies outcomes will want to investigate further with the school itself.
See more original research from School Decision →