The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Start Elementary School
Start Elementary School sits in the small, unincorporated rural community of Start in Richland Parish. This is a place defined by its agricultural roots, low density, and car-dependent infrastructure, where the school itself functions as a central civic institution. Serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Start Elementary is the only school in the community, drawing from a population that has seen modest growth in recent decades without evidence of major new development.
The student body is predominantly white, with Black students making up a sizeable minority and very small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that economic need is a significant factor in this community. The data did not provide information on the share of students receiving special education services or those classified as English learners, which is a notable gap for families trying to assess the full range of support available.
Academically, the picture is mixed. On the LEAP 2025 assessments, English language arts was the strongest area, with a little more than a third of students scoring at proficient or advanced levels. State testing results in math, science, and social studies each showed roughly one in five students reaching that benchmark. Participation rates on all tests were complete, so the results reflect nearly the entire tested population. Compared to other districts within Richland Parish, Start Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed above the midpoint of the small two-district county set. The multi-year trend data covers only a single year, so it is not yet possible to see whether performance is improving, declining, or holding steady, and a parent may want to ask the school directly about its trajectory.
Because Start Elementary serves only through eighth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and the data did not include any information about chronic absenteeism, course access, staffing ratios, or disciplinary actions. Families considering where their child will attend high school will need to look at what the Richland Parish district offers beyond this campus. The district brief returned no information about recent changes or initiatives, so there is little publicly reported context on the district’s direction or priorities.
The community itself offers limited amenities. Families will find a fire station, natural features such as Crew Lake and the nearby Boeuf River, and highway access via I-20, US 80, and a state route. There is no identified downtown, public library, or formal park system, and walkability is minimal in this low-density rural setting. Housing is scattered, and the school’s enrollment of a few hundred suggests a tight-knit environment where most families know each other.
For a family, Start Elementary fits a specific profile. It is a school where a parent would be closely involved because the academic results, particularly in math and science, leave significant room for growth. A family moving here should be prepared to supplement learning at home and to ask the school what specific strategies it uses to raise proficiency. The peer environment is fairly homogeneous in racial terms, which may matter to families seeking diversity. The setting is profoundly rural, so any sense of community revolves around the school itself. This is not a school for someone looking for extensive program offerings, data transparency on discipline or staffing, or a dense network of nearby services. It is a school for a family that values a small, familiar community and is ready to be proactive about their child’s academic progress.
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