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Average

#540 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 42% in state

Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School

Middle School · Rapides Parish

3100 Jones Street, Alexandria, LA 71302

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Alexandria

#11 of 22

public schools

Louisiana middle schools

#138 of 219

In district

#28 of 43

Rapides Parish

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School

Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School is a public middle school located in Alexandria, Louisiana, within Rapides Parish. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 415 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.9:1.

With 35 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school provides a supportive learning environment. According to MySchoolScout’s data, Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School ranks in the 11th percentile among Louisiana schools and has an academic score of 2.0 out of 10.

The proficiency rate for combined ELA/reading and math is relatively low at 17%, with 33% proficient or above in reading and 19% proficient or above in math, indicating areas where the school could focus on improving student achievement. The setting of Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School is a small city environment.

While specific neighborhood details are not available, it serves students from its immediate area.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19%
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,896

Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School — Students at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 17.8%
School
State
30.5%
ELA Proficiency 30.8%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 18 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
39%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
19%
2025
Math
17%
ELA
28.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School Compares

See how Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in LA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

3100 Jones Street, Alexandria, LA 71302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Scott M. Brame Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pineville Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Pineville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alexandria Middle Magnet School (rated 5.5/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Alexandria, see our Alexandria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Peabody Magnet High School Alexandria 0.3 mi 6.0
Rapides Training Academy Alexandria 0.8 mi 5.1
Peabody Montessori Elementary School Alexandria 0.9 mi 6.7
Alma Redwine Elementary Alexandria 1.0 mi 7.7
Acadian Elementary Alexandria 1.3 mi 7.9
Bolton High School Alexandria 1.4 mi 8.2
Phoenix Magnet Elementary School Alexandria 1.6 mi 8.8
ST FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL Alexandria 1.5 mi 7.6
L.S. Rugg Elementary School Alexandria 1.8 mi 6.4
OUR LADY-PROMPT SUCCOR SCHOOL Alexandria 2.0 mi 4.7
Rosenthal Montessori Elementary School Alexandria 2.1 mi 5.3
Pineville Elementary School Pineville 2.4 mi 6.6
Horseshoe Drive Elementary School Alexandria 2.6 mi 4.5
Martin Park Elementary School Alexandria 2.7 mi 7.4
Alexandria Middle Magnet School Alexandria 2.6 mi 5.5
D.F. Huddle Elementary Alexandria 2.6 mi 7.4
Cherokee Elementary School Alexandria 2.7 mi 5.3
Scott M. Brame Middle School Alexandria 2.7 mi 6.9
Pineville High School Pineville 3.1 mi 6.4
Lessie Moore Elementary School Pineville 3.2 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,210

Median Home Value

$103,300

Median Rent

$868/mo

Population

14,128

College Educated

12.7%

Homeownership

55.6%

Poverty Rate

30.8%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School has a median household income of $36,210. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $103,300, with a median rent of $868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Berwick Junior High School Berwick, LA 6.7
Calhoun Middle School Calhoun, LA 6.7
Ferriday Junior High School Ferriday, LA 6.7
Richwood Junior High School Monroe, LA 6.7
Golden Meadow Middle School Golden Meadow, LA 6.8
Grand Caillou Middle School Houma, LA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School

What grades does Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School serve?

Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School?

Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School?

The student-teacher ratio at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School rank in LA?

Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School is ranked #540 out of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School's MySchoolScout rating?

Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School has 17.8% math proficiency and 30.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School a charter school?

No, Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School a Title I school?

No, Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School?

91.8% of students at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (9,326/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alexandria). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Rapides Parish
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rapides Parish
District Enrollment
22,546
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,720
District Rank
#28 of 43

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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