The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Garyville/mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet Schl.
Garyville/Mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet School is a regular public school in St. John the Baptist Parish serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It is a magnet school focused on math and science, though available data does not detail the specific program structure or how the magnet designation affects admissions or curriculum. The school shares its building with the town’s other schools in the same district, operating as part of a small parish system.
The student body is small for a PK-8 campus, with enrollment spanning roughly a dozen students per grade in the middle years to more in the early primary grades. The demographic composition is predominantly Black, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and modest representation of white students and students of two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty population that often correlates with additional academic needs and school-based support services. Data on special education and English learner enrollment was not available.
State assessment results from the LEAP 2025 tests, which cover grades three through eight, show that proficiency rates were low across all subjects. English language arts posted the highest share of students meeting the state’s proficiency benchmark, with math notably lower. Science and social studies proficiency were even lower, with only a modest share of students reaching that level. Full participation in testing is a positive sign of student engagement. Because only a single year of assessment data is available, there is no trend to indicate whether performance is improving or declining. A parent may want to discuss with the school what academic interventions or enrichment programs are in place, particularly in math and science given the school’s stated focus.
The school community is Garyville, a small unincorporated place in an industrial stretch of the Mississippi River. The local economy is heavily shaped by petrochemical facilities, including one of the nation’s largest oil refineries. The town’s population has been declining over recent decades, and a recent attempt to incorporate as a city did not pass. The area is car-dependent, with a small historic district that hints at a traditional town center. The parish school board operates the schools, and no major district-level changes or initiatives were publicly reported in recent material.
For families considering this school, the key picture is a small, high-poverty PK-8 magnet that is performing below state averages on standardized tests. The magnet theme in math and science may be a draw, but the actual proficiency numbers in those subjects suggest that many students are not yet reaching grade-level benchmarks. The school serves a steady role in a community that is economically tied to heavy industry and not experiencing growth. The absence of high school grades means that families will need to plan for the transition after eighth grade; the district’s high school options would be the next step.
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