The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 29% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Holly Ridge Elementary School
Holly Ridge Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in a rural part of Rayville, Louisiana. The school is a regular public school and is part of the Richland Parish school system. With an enrollment that is small for a school covering this grade span, the student body is predominantly white, with a significant minority of Black students and very small shares of other racial and ethnic groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community where economic need is present for many families.
Academically, the school's state testing results provide a clear picture. In the most recent assessment year, proficiency rates in math and English language arts were below where many families would want them to be, with roughly a third of students scoring at the proficient level or above. Performance in science and social studies was lower still. When compared to other schools in Richland Parish, Holly Ridge’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades placed it at the top of the district cohort, though a parent should note that this comparison is within a small set. The data available covers only a single year, so it is not possible to see how these results have changed over time from this source. The school tested a full cohort of students and achieved one hundred percent participation, so the results reflect nearly the entire population. There is no graduation rate to report, as the school does not serve high school grades.
The town of Rayville is a small, rural parish seat with an agricultural heritage. Its population has been declining over the past two decades, and no major new housing developments are mentioned in the available sources. The town is car-dependent, with civic and commercial activity clustered along the highway. For school-age families, the town operates separate elementary, junior high, and high school campuses, meaning that after eighth grade, Holly Ridge students would move on to a different school setting for high school. Housing values in the area are notably lower than both the state and national medians.
This is a school for a family that values a small, rural setting and is comfortable with the academic performance levels the school is currently posting. A parent considering Holly Ridge may want to visit the school, speak with teachers and the principal about what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks, and ask about any academic enrichment or intervention programs. The district brief did not yield publicly reported recent changes, so a parent may also want to check with the district office directly about any upcoming curriculum or staffing developments. For a family anchored in this part of Richland Parish, Holly Ridge is the neighborhood school, and its size and community feel may be a strong fit, even as the academic results suggest room for growth.
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