Best Schools in Ruston, Louisiana
12 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Ruston?
Use this page to compare every school in Ruston by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Hillcrest Elementary School
Elementary · Lincoln Parish. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Glen View Elementary School
Elementary · Lincoln Parish. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ruston Elementary School
Elementary · Lincoln Parish. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ruston for 2026 are Hillcrest Elementary School (9.6/10), Glen View Elementary School (9.3/10), and Ruston Elementary School (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$218,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$218,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 9.3/10 despite 50% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Ruston schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Ruston
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillcrest Elementary School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Glen View Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Ruston Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Ruston Junior High School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Cypress Springs Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Ruston High School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Cedar Creek School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Bethel Christian School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 9 | I.a. Lewis School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Howard School | 3.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.4/10
- Median household income
- $37,599
- Median home value
- $218,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 60%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 50%
64% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ruston compares
Louisiana rank
#25 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above Louisiana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$38k
64% of Louisiana median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston, Louisiana is home to 12 schools, including 9 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.4 out of 10, schools in Ruston perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Ruston is Hillcrest Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ruston is served by 2 school districts: Howard School, Lincoln Parish. These districts collectively serve 5,928 students.
Ruston's community shows 60% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $37,599. The poverty rate in the area is 32.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 363 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 9.6 | ||
| 2 | 500 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 9.3 | ||
| 3 | 312 students · 3rd–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 4 | 381 students · 3rd–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 5 | 436 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Montessori School of Ruston
Private
22 students · Pre-K–6th | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 580 students · 7th–8th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 283 students · 6th–6th | 5.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,277 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 125 students · 2nd–12th | 3.7 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Cedar Creek School
Private
636 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | Bethel Christian School
Private
53 students · Pre-K–11th | 6.5 | ||
Schools in Ruston
Ruston, Louisiana · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$37,599
Median Home Value
$218,600
Median Rent
$819/mo
Population
34,782
College Educated
60%
Homeownership
50%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
32.7%
Community Profile
Ruston has a median household income of $37,599. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,600, with a median rent of $819/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Louisiana
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 3
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Louisiana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ruston, Louisiana
How many schools are in Ruston, Louisiana?
Ruston has 12 schools, including 9 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ruston, Louisiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ruston is 7.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Ruston, Louisiana?
The top-ranked school in Ruston on MySchoolScout is Hillcrest Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ruston, Louisiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ruston on MySchoolScout is Hillcrest Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Ruston, Louisiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Ruston on MySchoolScout is Ruston Junior High School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Ruston, Louisiana?
The top-ranked high school in Ruston on MySchoolScout is Ruston High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Ruston, Louisiana?
Ruston is served by 2 school districts: Howard School, Lincoln Parish.
What is the education level in Ruston, Louisiana?
According to Census data, 60% of adults in Ruston have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ruston, Louisiana?
The median household income in Ruston is approximately $37,599 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ruston, Louisiana?
Yes, Ruston has 3 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Cedar Creek School with a score of 6.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ruston, Louisiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ruston is 13.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ruston, Louisiana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Louisiana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.