The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Math. The lowest is 15% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Chesbrough Elementary School
Chesbrough Elementary School sits in the rural town of Kentwood in Tangipahoa Parish. It is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and it stands in a community that has seen a modest population decline over the past two decades. The character of the town is quiet and slow-paced, with a central grid of avenues and a town hall that serves as a civic anchor. The area is not one of rapid growth, and no major new housing developments are noted in the available sources. Housing values in the broader area are lower than the state average and notably below the national average. For a parent considering this school, the housing market is relatively affordable by national standards, and the town itself offers a serene, small-town setting.
The student body at Chesbrough is racially mixed, with a roughly even split between white and Black students and a small number of students from other backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school enrolls a total number of students across grades PK through 5 that makes it a moderately sized elementary school for the area. Data on the percentage of students with disabilities or English learner status was missing from the available records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about special education and language support services.
On state testing, Chesbrough's results are a soft spot. The school participates in Louisiana's LEAP 2025 assessments. The share of students reaching the proficient level in math and English language arts is below what many families would expect to see in an elementary school. In science and social studies, the proficiency rates are even lower. The trend data shows only a single year of results, so there is no way to see whether performance is improving or declining. The comparison feature that would position Chesbrough's proficiency against other districts in Tangipahoa Parish was not available because only one district's data was in the set, so a county-level benchmark is not possible here. A parent should look into this further with the school and ask about the specific instructional strategies, interventions, and support the school uses for students who are not yet at grade level.
A districtwide literacy initiative tied to Louisiana's science-of-reading requirements is underway across Tangipahoa Parish, which means K-3 reading instruction and interventions have been overhauled. That could have a positive impact on Chesbrough's early literacy scores over time, but the current data does not yet reflect it. Separately, the district faces a serious financial challenge: a property tax renewal that funded teacher salaries and school operations failed in spring 2024, creating a multi-million dollar revenue gap. The long-term effect on staffing and programs at Chesbrough is uncertain, and parents should expect potential changes in the coming years.
Chesbrough is a regular elementary school without charter or magnet status. It does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. There is no information on discipline, chronic absenteeism, or staffing ratios in the available data. The school's program offerings were also not provided, so a parent may want to visit the website or contact the school to learn about any enrichment, arts, or extracurricular opportunities. For a family seeking a quiet rural setting and affordable housing, Chesbrough offers a straightforward neighborhood elementary option, but the academic results and the district's fiscal uncertainty are important factors to weigh.
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