Jefferson Parish Schools showed the largest growth on its state report card in the last 10 years. JP Schools’ District Performance Score (DPS) increased to a 74.4 as the Louisiana Department of Education released District and School Performance Scores (SPS) for the 2021-2022 school year today. This 2.8 increase from the 2021 school year outpaces the state’s growth of 1.8. 

“This increase could not have been possible without the hard work of our students, teachers, support staff, and administrators and the commitment of our families, School Board, and community,” said JP Schools Superintendent Dr. James Gray. “The growth we are seeing in Jefferson Parish Schools is another step in the right direction. If we continue to focus on doing what’s best for students, we can accomplish anything.”

JP Schools’ DPS equates to a letter grade of a C. JP Schools earned a B letter grade on its growth DPS, which measures if students progress a year academically for a year’s worth of instruction. 

In addition to the District Performance Score increase, the district results show: 

• 81% of Jefferson schools increased their SPS from 2021, outpacing the state average of 63%.

• Four of Louisiana’s top 10 public schools are from Jefferson Parish. Haynes Academy ranked first, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy ranked second, Metairie Academy ranked eighth, and Thomas Jefferson Academy ranked ninth.

• 35 Jefferson schools surpassed their pre-pandemic achievement numbers, showing an increase in SPS from 2019 to 2022. 

• 79% of Jefferson high schools improved their SPS, outpacing the state average of 46%.

• Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary increased their SPS by 17.9 points and was one of the top 10 schools in the state to show the highest SPS improvement.

• Woodmere Elementary was recognized as a 2022 Louisiana Comeback Campus by the Louisiana Department of Education.

• The state recognized 32 Jefferson schools - 40% of the district - as Top Gains Honorees, meaning they showed exceptional student growth. Those schools are: A.C. Alexander School, Airline Park Academy, Allen Ellender School, Bonella A. St. Ville Elementary School, Bridgedale Elementary School, Chateau Estates School, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, Ella C. Pittman Elementary School, Grand Isle High School, Green Park Elementary School, Greenlawn Terrace Elementary School, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Harold Keller Elementary School, Haynes Academy, J.C. Ellis School, Jefferson Virtual High School, John Clancy/Joseph Maggiore Elementary School, John James Audubon School, Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary School, Leo E. Kerner Jr. Elementary School, Marie B. Riviere Elementary School, Metairie Academy, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Paul J. Solis Elementary School, Bunche Elementary, Ray St. Pierre Academy, Riverdale High School, Ruppel Academie Francaise, Shirley Johnson/Gretna Park Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Academy, Walter Schneckenburger Elementary, and William Hart Elementary School.

• The state recognized 14 Jefferson schools as Opportunity Honorees, meaning they performed in the 90th percentile or above for students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and/or English learners. Those schools are: Airline Park Academy, Bridgedale Elementary School, Fisher Middle/High School, Greenlawn Terrace Elementary School, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Haynes Academy, Marie B. Riviere Elementary School, Metairie Academy, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Paul J. Solis Elementary School, Ray St. Pierre Academy, Riverdale High School, Thomas Jefferson Academy, and Walter Schneckenburger Elementary School.

• Twelve schools improved their letter grade. Fisher Middle/High School improved from a B to an A. Strehle Community School improved from a D to a B, and Bunche Elementary, Allen Ellender School, Grace King High School, Helen Cox High School, L.W. Higgins High School, and Jefferson Chamber Foundation Academy improved from a C to a B. Bonnabel Magnet High School, William Hart Elementary, and Meisler Middle School improved from a D to a C. Tom Benson School improved from an F to a D. 

• In addition, 29 schools - 36% of schools - improved their School Performance Score by five points or higher. Those schools are: Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School, Bridgedale Elementary School, Ella C. Pittman Elementary School, Emmett C.Gilbert School of Excellence at Ford, George Cox Elementary School, Green Park Elementary School, Greenlawn Terrace Elementary School, Harry S. Truman School, J.D. Meisler Middle School, Jefferson Chamber Foundation Academy, John Clancy/Joseph Maggiore Elementary School, Joshua Butler Elementary School, Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary School, L.H. Marrero Middle School, Lincoln School for the Arts, Marie B. Riviere Elementary School, McDonogh 26/Homedale Elementary School, Paul J. Solis Elementary School, Ralph J Bunche Elementary, Ray St. Pierre Academy,  Riverdale High School, Shirley Johnson/Gretna Park Elementary School, Strehle Community School, Tom Benson School, Washington Montessori, West Jefferson High School, William Hart Elementary School, Woodland West School, and Woodmere School.

• Ten schools earned an A rating: Airline Park Academy, Fisher Middle/High School, Gretna No. 2 Academy, Haynes Academy, Metairie Academy, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Ray St. Pierre Academy, Riverdale High School, Ruppel Academie Francaise, and Thomas Jefferson Academy.

“Despite what we faced last year - including disruptions to teaching and learning due to the pandemic, learning loss from the previous school year, missing more than 15 days of school due to Hurricane Ida, and challenges with teacher and staff shortages - we always put students first,” said Superintendent Dr. James Gray. “While we still have work to do, I’m proud of what we have accomplished together.”

Performance data is available now on the LDOE website. Performance scores will be available on the Louisiana School and Center Finder by the end of 2022.