Dear JP Schools Family,

I hope you had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. As we wrap up November, I am grateful for our students, teachers, support staff, administrators, families, School Board, and community. Because of their commitment and support, our District Performance Score (DPS) improved from a 71.6 to a 74.4. This 2.8 increase is the largest DPS growth Jefferson Parish Schools has seen in 10 years and outpaces the state’s growth of 1.8. Despite the challenges we faced together last year - including the pandemic and Hurricane Ida - we never lost sight of the most important thing, our students. 

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

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

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

• 79% of our high schools improved their SPS, beating 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Fourteen Jefferson schools were named Opportunity Honorees, which means 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, Meisler Middle School, William Hart Elementary 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.

Our growth and achievements are additional steps in the right direction. If we continue to focus on doing what’s best for students, I know that we can accomplish anything. Together, we will continue to be the proof point for what’s possible and be the best urban school district in the state and country.

Dr. James Gray