The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Emily C. Watkins Elementary
Emily C. Watkins Elementary in LaPlace is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade within the St. John the Baptist Parish school system. With a total enrollment that places it among the larger elementary schools in the area for its grade span, it functions as a single-campus option for families looking for a school that can take a child from early childhood through the end of middle school without a transition.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic population and a smaller share of white students. A large majority of students come from households qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, making this a school where economic disadvantage is the norm rather than the exception. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available, which is a gap a parent may wish to follow up on with the school directly.
Academically, the school’s LEAP 2025 results show that proficiency rates across tested subjects are below typical benchmarks for the state. English language arts had the strongest showing among the four tested subjects, though still at a level that suggests many students are building foundational skills rather than reaching the highest performance tiers. Math and social studies proficiency rates were lower than ELA, and science proficiency was the weakest of the four. These results come from a single year of data, so there is no trend line to indicate whether the school is improving or declining. Participation in testing was complete, which means the reported figures reflect the full tested population.
The school sits in LaPlace, a suburban unincorporated community about 25 miles west of New Orleans, situated at the junction of major interstate and highway corridors. The area is a mix of residential subdivisions and industrial zones, with petrochemical plants and port-related facilities as major employers. Housing values in the zip code that includes the school are modest relative to national levels, and the area has seen a recent softening in home prices and rents. LaPlace grew rapidly through the latter part of the twentieth century but has experienced some population decline in recent years, and the community has weathered significant natural disasters, including hurricanes and tornadoes, which have caused widespread property damage. The district itself, St. John the Baptist Parish, did not appear to have undergone major recent programmatic or leadership changes, based on the information available.
An important note on comparison: Because St. John the Baptist Parish contains only one district, there is no meaningful way to position this school’s performance relative to neighboring districts. The county-level comparison set is too small to generate a relative picture. That means a reader cannot look to nearby districts for a benchmark; the relevant frame is how this school’s results compare to state-level averages.
For a family considering this school, the central academic takeaway is that proficiency rates are below those many parents would hope to see, particularly in math and science. The school does offer continuity from pre-K through eighth grade under one roof, which can be a logistical advantage. The economic context of the community is one of industrial employment, moderate housing costs, and recent population and price softening, with the added reality of natural disaster risk. A parent looking for a school with strong measured academic performance on state assessments will find this a challenging environment. A family that values a neighborhood school serving a diverse, predominantly low-income community and that is willing to investigate the school’s approach to instruction and student support directly may find it a workable fit.
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