Best Schools in Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette's public school landscape spans 28 ranked schools with an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 — a solid midpoint that masks real variation across the city. Parents will find meaningful differences depending on neighborhood and grade level, so school selection here rewards active research rather than assumption.

Elementary options lead the city in performance. Myrtle Place Elementary tops all 28 ranked schools with a 9.0 out of 10, placing it among the strongest public elementary programs in the region. Woodvale Elementary (8.4) and Broadmoor Elementary (7.8) round out a competitive elementary tier that gives families real choices at the youngest grade levels. Eleven of Lafayette's 28 ranked schools — 39% — score 7 or higher, meaning high-performing options exist across multiple grade bands, not just at the elementary level.

The middle and high school picture holds up. Edgar Martin Middle School scores 8.6 out of 10, the second-highest rating in the entire city and a strong bridge between Lafayette's top elementary feeders and upper grades. At the high school level, David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy earns a 7.8 — the same mark as Broadmoor Elementary — and offers a specialized academic track for students with interest in science and technology fields. Magnet enrollment typically requires an application, so parents should confirm timelines and eligibility requirements directly with the school.

Practically speaking, Lafayette gives parents more high-rated options than its average score suggests. With 39% of schools clearing the 7-out-of-10 threshold, families who do neighborhood-level research are likely to find quality across elementary, middle, and high school stages. Ratings, however, reflect one data dimension. Visit schools, review test performance trends, and ask about extracurricular offerings and class sizes before finalizing decisions. Lafayette's range from its lowest-rated schools to Myrtle Place's 9.0 is wide enough that address and magnet access can make a significant difference in a child's educational experience.