The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Mary Bethune Elementary Literature/technology
Mary Bethune Elementary Literature/Technology is a regular public charter school in New Orleans serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school is part of the Orleans Parish district, which operates as New Orleans’s consolidated city-parish government. The school’s name signals a focus on literature and technology, though specific program details and curricular offerings beyond the name were not available in the data reviewed.
The student body is diverse in its composition. The enrollment is large for a school serving only through eighth grade. The vast majority of students are Black, with a smaller share identifying as Hispanic and very small numbers of students from other racial backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. Information on the share of students with Individualized Education Programs or English learner status was not reported, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about special education and language support services.
On the state’s LEAP 2025 assessments, which Louisiana gives to students in grades three through eight, the school’s results show room for growth. In English language arts, a solid share of students scored at the proficient or advanced level. Math proficiency was lower, and in both science and social studies, proficiency was notably lower still. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places it among the lower-performing schools relative to other Orleans Parish districts, based on the available comparison data. The school had very high participation rates on the assessments, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students. A parent considering the school may want to discuss what academic supports are in place and how the school is working to raise achievement across subjects.
The school is a charter school, which means it operates with some autonomy from the central district while remaining publicly funded. Its governance structure, such as its authorizer or board, was not detailed in the data, nor was information about discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, or staffing ratios. Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
The housing market in the school’s zip code shows home values that are somewhat above the state average and near the national average, though values have declined recently. Rents are moderate, and the area is more affordable than many parts of the country on a rent-to-income basis. New Orleans itself is a dense, historic urban center with a mix of commercial and residential neighborhoods. The city is known for its port, tourism, hospitality, film industry, and major civic institutions like Tulane University. The city’s growth trajectory has been shaped by Hurricane Katrina and subsequent redevelopment efforts, with a population that has rebounded but remains below pre-hurricane levels. Gentrification and displacement have been noted as concerns in some neighborhoods.
A significant district-level development affecting families is the renewal of a property tax millage for early childhood education. Voters approved this renewal in late 2022, extending funding for free early childhood education for low-income families through the City Seats program. This is a resource available to families with young children in the area.
For a family evaluating Mary Bethune Elementary, the school offers a full pre-K-through-eighth-grade pathway in a single building in the heart of New Orleans. The student population is predominantly Black and low-income, and the school’s academic results on state assessments are lower than many peers in the parish. The school’s literature and technology focus may appeal to families looking for a themed elementary and middle school experience. A parent would benefit from visiting the school to understand the classroom environment, enrichment opportunities, and how the school supports students who are below grade level in math and science.
See more original research from School Decision →