The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Riser Elementary School
Riser Elementary School is a regular public school in West Monroe, Louisiana, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Ouachita Parish school district. The school’s student body is diverse. Black students make up the largest racial group, followed by White and Hispanic students, with smaller shares of multiracial, Asian, and Native American students. A substantial share of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a majority of families have lower household incomes. Data on the number of students with disabilities or who are English learners was not available; a parent may want to confirm these supports directly with the school.
State testing results for the 2024-25 school year show that, across all four tested subjects, the share of students scoring at the proficient level is low. In English language arts, about one in five students met the proficiency benchmark. The proficiency rates in math, science, and social studies were lower, each landing in the single digits or low teens. Participation on test day was full, so the results reflect nearly the entire tested student population. Because only one year of data is available, there is no trend line to show whether performance is improving or declining.
When measured against other schools in Ouachita Parish districts, Riser Elementary’s overall proficiency index sits below the midpoint of the group. This comparison includes three other school districts within the parish. The school offers no high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. No chronic absenteeism data was available, nor were discipline or staffing figures; these are gaps a family may wish to explore further.
The surrounding housing market offers a mix of affordability and recent softening. Typical home values in the area are lower than both the Louisiana state average and the national median. Values have declined over the past year. While the local housing market appears relatively accessible for buyers compared to many parts of the country, the year-over-year drop may signal some economic pressure. Rents account for roughly one-fifth of a typical household’s income in the area, which is a manageable share. The national unemployment rate was stable in recent months, but local economic conditions specific to West Monroe were not provided.
No information was available on specialized academic programs, extracurricular offerings, or family engagement activities at Riser Elementary. The district’s official website was searched for recent changes that would affect families, such as boundary adjustments or program launches, but none meeting the criterion of a lasting four-year impact were found. A parent considering Riser Elementary may want to visit the school, speak with the principal or teachers, and ask about reading and math intervention strategies, enrichment options, and how the school supports students who are below grade level.
In sum, Riser Elementary serves a diverse and predominantly low-income student population in a relatively affordable housing market. Its state assessment results are low across all subjects, and it performs below the midpoint among its parish’s districts on a combined proficiency measure. The school’s strengths may lie in community connections and individual attention that are not captured in the data presented here. For families who value a neighborhood school with a diverse student body and who are willing to engage closely with teachers and staff to support academic progress, Riser Elementary may be a reasonable fit, though the low test scores suggest that academic supports are an important consideration.
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