The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Creswell Middle School
Creswell Middle School serves fifth and sixth grade students in Opelousas, the parish seat of St. Landry Parish. The school is part of the St. Landry Parish district and operates as a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. It sits at the corner of East Leo Street in a small city whose historic downtown centers on a courthouse square designated as a National Historic District. Opelousas calls itself the spice capital of the world, home to Tony Chachere’s seasoning, and the Zydeco Music Capital of the World, with deep Creole and Acadian heritage.
The student body reflects the demographics of the surrounding community. Black students make up the largest share of enrollment, with a substantial number of white students and smaller shares of Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. A very large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not reported. Because the school serves only two grades, it has no graduation rate to measure.
State testing results from the LEAP 2025 assessments are available, though a parent should note that the social studies test had a cut score change that year, making direct comparisons to prior years uncertain for that subject. On the English language arts test, more than a third of students scored at the proficient level or above. In math, science, and social studies, proficiency rates were each about one in five students or lower. These are soft spots, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the academic supports in place. The participation rate on the assessments was very high, so the results reflect nearly the entire tested population. Only a single year of data was available, so no trend line can be drawn yet.
Creswell Middle School is a grades five through six building only, meaning students enter in the upper elementary years and leave after sixth grade for another school in the district. Opelousas Junior High serves as the main middle school for older grades in the city, and multiple high school options exist including Opelousas Senior High, Northwest High School, and the Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts. South Louisiana Community College also operates a local campus. No detailed information on course access, discipline, staffing, or attendance was available in the data for this school.
The housing market in the area around the school is relatively affordable. Home values are well below the state and national benchmarks, and the estimated monthly mortgage cost is modest. Rental costs are also a smaller share of income compared to national averages, though home values have declined recently. Opelousas itself is experiencing population decline, with census estimates showing a drop since the last decade. Major employers include Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, a Walmart distribution center, and Tony Chachere’s. The economy blends agriculture, oil, manufacturing, and retail. The city is autocentric, with Interstate 49 and a U.S. highway forming a junction here. Commercial air service is available a short drive south in Lafayette.
No parent-relevant changes to the St. Landry Parish district were found in the research available. The district itself is the only school system in the parish, and no recent boundary changes, program launches, or closures were confirmed. A comparison of this school to other districts in St. Landry Parish was not possible because the cohort of comparable schools was too small to draw a meaningful position. This means the reader cannot use a countywide ranking to gauge how this school stacks up. The academic data stands on its own.
For a family considering this school, the key picture is a small, grades five and six public school serving a high-poverty community in a small city with a declining population. English language arts results are stronger than math and science, though all subjects show room for growth. The school itself is one piece of a larger district with multiple elementary, middle, and high school options in Opelousas. The affordable housing market may appeal to families, but the broader economic context of population loss and limited new development is worth factoring into any long-term decision. A parent would benefit from visiting the school and speaking with staff about academic interventions and what the transition to the next middle school looks like.
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