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Average

#790 of 1,288 schools in LA

Central Southwest Alternative High School

School · Office of Juvenile Justice

1536 Bordelon Rd., Bunkie, LA 71322

Enrollment

97

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bunkie

#2 of 4

public schools

Louisiana schools

#61 of 103

In district

#3 of 3

Office of Juvenile Justice

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Central Southwest Alternative High School

Central Southwest Alternative High School in Bunkie, Louisiana, serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade with a focus on providing an alternative educational setting. The school has a total enrollment of 97 students and is staffed by five full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1. Located in a rural area, Central Southwest Alternative High School offers a unique environment for those seeking tailored learning opportunities.

Academically, the school has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #1244 out of 1290 schools in Louisiana. The academic score stands at 1.6/10, with only 18% of students proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math across all grades. Despite the challenges reflected in its current test scores, Central Southwest Alternative High School continues to provide a supportive environment for its students in Bunkie’s rural community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 97 students, Central Southwest Alternative High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Central Southwest Alternative High 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.

Located in a rural area, Central Southwest Alternative High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.43 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2%
Math vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.4 pts
Overall Proficiency2%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-50.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile0th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$160,317

Central Southwest Alternative High School — Students at Central Southwest Alternative High School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
44.4%

Based on 8 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2025
Math
2%
ELA
2%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Central Southwest Alternative High School Compares

See how Central Southwest Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in LA
Academic
1.2/10
1.2/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

1536 Bordelon Rd., Bunkie, LA 71322

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Southwest Alternative High School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Avoyelles Public Charter School (rated 6.0/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Mansura), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST JOSEPH SCHOOL K-12 (rated 4.2/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Plaucheville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bunkie, see our Bunkie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Bunkie Magnet High School Bunkie 1.2 mi 6.8
Bunkie Elementary School Bunkie 1.3 mi 5.8
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Bunkie 1.8 mi 6.7
LA School for Ag Science Bunkie 4.1 mi 4.9
Cottonport Elementary Cottonport 7.4 mi 6.5
ST MARY'S ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Cottonport 7.5 mi 5.5
Red River Charter Academy Mansura 10.9 mi 6.5
Avoyelles Public Charter School Mansura 12.0 mi 6.0
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL K-12 Plaucheville 11.0 mi 4.2
Plaucheville Elementary School Plaucheville 11.1 mi 4.7
Marksville Elementary School Marksville 14.3 mi 4.6
Marksville High School Marksville 14.3 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Moreauville 13.2 mi 7.1
Avoyelles High School Moreauville 13.3 mi 5.5
Bayou Chicot Elementary School Ville Platte 13.9 mi 5.8
Grand Prairie Elementary School Washington 17.4 mi 6.9
Poland Junior High School Alexandria 17.2 mi 8.8
Rapides High School Lecompte 16.2 mi 7.1
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Ville Platte 18.4 mi 4.0
Ville Platte High School Ville Platte 18.5 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$25,655

Median Home Value

$88,500

Median Rent

$738/mo

Population

5,257

College Educated

9.8%

Homeownership

57.5%

Poverty Rate

37.7%

Median Age

48.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Southwest Alternative High School has a median household income of $25,655. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $88,500, with a median rent of $738/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.7%, 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
Grand Isle High School Grand Isle, LA 6.0
HARVEST TIME CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Abbeville, LA 6.0
BRIGHTER HORIZON SCHOOL Baton Rouge, LA 5.5
Johnson Bayou High School Cameron, LA 5.5
Ware Youth Center Coushatta, LA 5.4
Pinecrest Supports & Services Center Pineville, LA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Southwest Alternative High School

What grades does Central Southwest Alternative High School serve?

Central Southwest Alternative High School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Central Southwest Alternative High School?

Central Southwest Alternative High School has an enrollment of approximately 97 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Southwest Alternative High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Southwest Alternative High School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Southwest Alternative High School rank in LA?

Central Southwest Alternative High School is ranked #790 out of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Central Southwest Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Southwest Alternative High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Central Southwest Alternative High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Southwest Alternative High School has 12.3% math proficiency and 12.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Southwest Alternative High School a charter school?

No, Central Southwest Alternative High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Southwest Alternative High School a Title I school?

No, Central Southwest Alternative High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Southwest Alternative High School?

50.5% of students at Central Southwest Alternative High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
97
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Avoyelles Parish
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Office of Juvenile Justice
District Enrollment
342
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$86,011
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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