The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in English language arts. The lowest is 44% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Peabody Montessori Elementary School
Peabody Montessori Elementary School is a regular public school in the Rapides Parish district, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. It is not a charter school, and the data does not indicate whether it operates a traditional Montessori curriculum despite the name; families interested in the school’s instructional model would want to ask directly what the Montessori designation means in practice. The school sits in Alexandria, a mid-sized regional hub in central Louisiana that functions as the retail, health care, and government center for a multi-parish area. Alexandria’s population has been declining gradually, and its built environment is auto-oriented, typical of a mid-sized Southern city. The housing market in the school’s immediate area is relatively affordable compared to national norms, but home values have edged down.
Academically, Peabody Montessori Elementary’s state assessment results from the 2024–25 LEAP 2025 tests show a mixed picture. In English language arts, more than half of students scored at the proficient or above level, a solid showing that stands as the school’s strongest subject. Mathematics and social studies each landed around the same mid-range mark, with about half of students meeting the proficiency bar. Science was the weakest area, with less than half of students reaching proficiency. A parent considering the school might want to ask how the school supports science learning and whether there are targeted interventions or resources in that subject. These results cover all tested students in grades three through six, and participation was full. Because only one year of data was reported, there is no trend information to show whether performance is improving or declining.
The school enrolls a student body that draws roughly evenly from two racial groups, with about half of students identifying as Black and a large share as White, plus smaller numbers of Hispanic and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic diversity of the surrounding neighborhood. Data on students receiving special education services or English learner support was not available, nor were chronic absenteeism or discipline figures, so a parent should follow up with the school on those topics. Since the school serves only through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to consider; families will need to plan for middle school transition outside this building.
The surrounding district, Rapides Parish, did not report any recent major changes or initiatives that would be visible from public sources. The district brief turned up little of lasting impact, so a family should expect a stable administrative context.
Peabody Montessori Elementary is a mid-sized elementary school with a name that evokes a specific pedagogy, though the data does not confirm how thoroughly that approach is implemented. Its academic profile shows a clear strength in reading and writing, with math and social studies acceptable but not exceptional, and science an area to watch. For a family in Alexandria looking for a neighborhood public school that serves pre-K through sixth grade, this school offers a diverse environment and test results that are generally in line with or slightly above the local norm, though without a comparison to other schools in the area because the data available did not allow that comparison. The school’s mixture of results and the absence of certain metrics mean a parent would be wise to tour, talk to teachers, and ask about the Montessori program and the support for science instruction before making a decision.
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