The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in English language arts. The lowest is 21% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on M.r. Weaver Elementary School
M.R. Weaver Elementary School serves third and fourth graders in the Natchitoches Parish public school system, located in the city of Natchitoches in central Louisiana. Because it only covers two grades, the school has a focused mission: it is where students spend the bridge years between primary and upper elementary instruction.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a much smaller share of white students and very small numbers of students who are Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or multiracial. A very large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which places the school in a high-poverty context. The school’s enrollment is moderate for a two-grade building, and the distribution between third and fourth grade is close to even.
On the Louisiana LEAP 2025 assessments, proficiency rates for the school show that about a third of students scored at or above the proficient level in English language arts, roughly a quarter in math, and slightly more than a quarter in social studies. Science proficiency was lower, with about a fifth of students reaching the proficient mark. These figures represent a single year of data from the 2024-25 school year, and no prior-year trend is available for comparison. Participation in testing was complete, with all enrolled students taking the assessments. A parent reviewing these results will see that the majority of students at Weaver are scoring below the proficient threshold across all tested subjects, which is a pattern worth understanding in more detail through direct conversation with the school about its instructional supports and intervention strategies.
The school sits within the Natchitoches Parish district, and the only comparison available places it relative to other districts in the parish, but that comparison could not be computed because of an insufficient number of districts for a meaningful benchmark. No data on chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, or program offerings such as gifted or special education was available for this school, so the full picture of student support and opportunity is incomplete. A parent may want to ask the school directly about the availability of special education services, English learner support, and any enrichment or intervention programming.
Natchitoches itself is a distinctive community. It is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase and has a historic French colonial downtown along Cane River Lake with brick streets, antique shops, and restaurants. Northwestern State University gives the town a college presence, and tourism drives a large share of the local economy, with the city attracting many visitors each year. Forestry and lumber export through the Port of Natchitoches are major industries, as are healthcare and the university itself. The downtown area is walkable and has undergone significant restoration, earning a national Main Street award, while the rest of the city is more auto-oriented. Housing values in the area are below the national median, and the local economy has experienced modest conditions nationally. The district did not report any recent major changes or strategic initiatives that would signal a shift in direction for the school system.
For a family considering M.R. Weaver Elementary, the school is anchored in a historic and economically mixed community. The academic picture is one where proficiency rates are below the levels many families hope to see, and the school’s limited grade span means students will move on to another school after fourth grade. The high rate of poverty among the student body is a reality that shapes the school’s context, and a parent will want to understand what academic supports and community partnerships are in place to address it. There is no disciplinary or attendance data to review, and no information on course access or staffing, so those are open questions. The school’s website or the district office would be the best next step for a family looking to understand the specific learning environment, class sizes, and enrichment opportunities that define the day-to-day experience for a third or fourth grader here.
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