School performance scores released by the Louisiana State Department of Education today indicate the Lafayette Parish School System has maintained its "B" letter grade, with a performance score of 78.9. The score reflects a slight gain of 0.3 points. Last year, the district's score was 78.6.
Interim Superintendent Irma Trosclair said, "The Lafayette Parish School System continues to improve. Congratulations to school leaders, staff, and students that are being recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education as Top Gains and Equity Honorees. We are also excited that all LPSS traditional K-12 schools earned an "A" or "B" student progress index score. This demonstrates that effective teaching and learning is taking place in schools across our district. Moving forward, district staff have identified specific areas for growth at each individual school and are working closely with school leaders and teachers in supporting continued improvement in the 2019-2020 school year."
The state developed a new scoring system during the 2017-2018 school year to measure school and district growth. LDOE says school rating calculations were adjusted to put more value on the progress of each individual child. The rating scale is as follows:
A = 90-150
B = 75-89.9
C= 60-74.9
D = 50-59.9
F = 0-49.9
Nine traditional Lafayette Parish schools improved their performance schools by one letter grade. The most susbstantial improvements were earned at Westside Elementary School (11.6 points), Ernest Gallet Elementary School (8.1 points), and Lafayette Middle School (7.5 points).
Westside Elementary School Lisa Thomas says her staff is "ecstatic" about the school's growth and performance. She credited teachers and staff at the school for their "hard work and commitment to student learning and academic success."
Several schools improved their scores under the new system. N.P. Moss Preparatory Academy (newly named LeRosen Preparatory School) moved up two letter grades, while Edward J. Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette improved more than ten points.
Twenty-five traditional public schools in the parish showed improvement in 2019 compared to 2018. Ossum Elementary and Ernest Gallet improved by a letter grade.
Early College Academy maintained the highest overall School Performance Score at 131.9. The following schools showed steady growth, with a gain of 2.5 or more points.
A: Ernest Gallet Elementary School; David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy; Green T. Lindon Elementary School
B: Westside Elementary School; Myrtle Place Elementary School; Ridge Elementary School; Acadiana High School; Ossun Elementary School; Youngsville Middle School; Broussard Middle School; Duson Elementary School
C: Judice Middle School; Carencro Heights Elementary School; Charles M. Burke Elementary School; N. P. Moss Preparatory Academy
D: Lafayette Middle School; Live Oak Elementary School
Several schools in the parish were named Equity Honorees. These schools outperformed 90 percent of all schools across the various student groups. Equity Honorees for 2019 are Broadmoor Elementary School, David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy, Early College Academy, Green T. Lindon Elementary School, and Edgar Martin Middle School.
The following schools were named Top Gains Schools:
Broadmoor Elementary School
Early College Academy
Ernest Gallet Elementary School
Green T. Lindon Elementary School
Lafayette High School
Milton Elementary and Middle School
Broussard Middle School
Corporal Michael Middlebrook Elementary School
Duson Elementary School
Edgar Martin Middle School
L. Leo Judice Elementary School
Myrtle Place Elementary School
Ridge Elementary School
Southside High School
Westside Elementary School
Woodvale Elementary School
Top Gains schools highlight schools earning an A in the Progress Index. All traditional schools in Lafayette Parish received an "A" or "B" on Progress Index.
The LDOE also released Early Childhood Performance Profiles for all publicly funded childhood education providers. As a whole, the Lafayette Parish network achieved a High Proficient rating, increasing from 5.22 to 5.28 overall.
Throughout the state, there are 111 sites receiving the Top Gains Honor Roll - Sugar N' Spice Broussard's Preschool, Inc. and Rosa's Infant and Toddler Center.
Interim Superintendent Irma Trosclair added, "Moving forward, district staff have identified specific areas for growth at each individual school and are working closely with school leaders and teachers in supporting continued improvement in the 2019-2020 school year."
