The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in Math. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on West St. John Elementary School (k-7)
West St. John Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade in Edgard, a small, rural census-designated place and the parish seat of St. John the Baptist Parish. Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, Edgard has deep agricultural roots in the sugar industry and is overwhelmingly African American. The community has experienced steady population decline over recent decades, and no significant new housing or commercial development was identified in public sources. The school is one of the public schools operated by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, and its campus, like other civic and school facilities in the area, sits along the River Road corridor rather than in a concentrated downtown.
The school is broadly comprehensive for its grade band, enrolling from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade, and operates as a regular public school. Enrollment is small, consistent with the size of the community it serves. The student body is nearly entirely African American. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the community's economic circumstances; about the portion of Edgard's population below the poverty line is also substantial. Data on special education identification and English learner enrollment was not available in the provided records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for those populations.
State testing results for the 2024-25 school year, which are the only year provided, show academic performance that gives a parent a clear baseline. On the LEAP 2025 assessments, the share of students scoring at the proficient or advanced level in English language arts and in mathematics was well below the statewide benchmark. Performance in science and social studies was similarly low. Because only a single year of data is available under the current assessment, it is not possible to see a trend. A parent reviewing these results would want to discuss with the school what academic interventions and instructional supports are in place to help students build stronger foundations.
The school's grade span ends at seventh grade, which means there is no high school graduation data to evaluate, and no college-readiness metrics such as AP or dual-enrollment participation apply here. Given that the school only serves through grade seven, the absence of those measures is expected and is not an indicator of weakness. The comparison fact-set that would position this school's proficiency scores relative to other districts in St. John the Baptist Parish was not usable, because there is only one district in the county, so no comparison set is available to give context beyond the reported numbers.
No information was provided about the school's chronic absenteeism rate, staffing ratios, discipline data, or course access. A parent trying to build a full picture of the school environment may want to ask about these topics directly. Publicly reported sources did not turn up recent district-level changes or initiatives that would affect the school, so that section is left as is. Edgard's civic anchors, such as the parish courthouse and a historic Catholic church, contribute to the community's character, and the school sits within a setting that is quiet, low-density, and rural. For a family considering this school, the core academic picture is one that calls for active engagement with the school's leadership about how student progress is being addressed, especially in the foundational elementary and middle school years.
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