Very Good
#410 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 32% in state
Fifth Ward Junior High School
Elementary School · St. Tammany Parish
81419 Highway 21, Bush, LA 70431
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Louisiana elementary schools
#229 of 703
In district
#20 of 55
St. Tammany Parish
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Fifth Ward Junior High School
Fifth Ward Junior High School serves 445 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Bush, Louisiana, offering a comprehensive elementary education with an impressive 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Despite its name suggesting a junior high focus, this regular public school actually spans the full elementary range with 43 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention to students. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #54 out of 1,290 schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile of Louisiana schools.
Students show solid achievement in English Language Arts with 58% scoring proficient or above, while mathematics results show 47% reaching proficiency levels, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. Located at 81419 Highway 21 in St. Tammany Parish, Fifth Ward Junior High serves a community where the median household income is $46,671 and median home values reach $229,700.
The surrounding area has a 28.8% poverty rate, with 21% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school operates in Bush's rural setting, providing educational opportunities within a close-knit community of approximately 5,378 residents.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Fifth Ward Junior 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
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Fifth Ward Junior High School — Students at Fifth Ward Junior High School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 30 test records from LA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.1/10.
How Fifth Ward Junior High School Compares
See how Fifth Ward Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
81419 Highway 21, Bush, LA 70431
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fifth Ward Junior High School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Bogalusa), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Byrd Avenue Primary School (rated 7.5/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Bogalusa), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Bogalusa), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bush, see our Bush schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 70431 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,156
Median Home Value
$241,600
Median Rent
$1,327/mo
Population
5,150
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
92.6%
Avg Commute
36.2 min
Poverty Rate
22.2%
Median Age
44.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fifth Ward Junior High School has a median household income of $56,156. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,600, with a median rent of $1,327/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary School Bogalusa, LA | 7.1 |
| Esperanza Charter School New Orleans, LA | 7.1 |
| Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School Destrehan, LA | 7.1 |
| Glen View Elementary School Ruston, LA | 7.1 |
| Lockport Upper Elementary School Lockport, LA | 7.1 |
| North Caddo Elementary-Middle School Vivian, LA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fifth Ward Junior High School
What grades does Fifth Ward Junior High School serve?
Fifth Ward Junior High School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Fifth Ward Junior High School?
Fifth Ward Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fifth Ward Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fifth Ward Junior High School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fifth Ward Junior High School rank in LA?
Fifth Ward Junior High School is ranked #410 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Fifth Ward Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fifth Ward Junior High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Fifth Ward Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fifth Ward Junior High School has 48.9% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fifth Ward Junior High School a charter school?
No, Fifth Ward Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fifth Ward Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Fifth Ward Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fifth Ward Junior High School?
56.6% of students at Fifth Ward Junior 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 445
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- St. Tammany Parish
- Phone
- (985) 886-3273
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
St. Tammany Parish- District Enrollment
- 38,794
- Schools in District
- 55
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,823
- District Rank
- #20 of 55
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.
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