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Excellent

#158 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 12% 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

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#158 of 1,288

In district

#9 of 55

St. Tammany Parish

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Fifth Ward Junior High School

8.3/10

Elementary School in Bush · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bens Ford Christian School

4.3/10

8.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Byrd Avenue Primary School

5.1/10

10.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fifth Ward Junior High School

Fifth Ward Junior High School is a public elementary school in Bush, LA, part of St. Tammany Parish. Fifth Ward Junior High School serves approximately 445 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio.

Fifth Ward Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #158 of 1,288 schools in LA. Structured state assessment records for Fifth Ward Junior High School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.3
  • LA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Fifth Ward Junior High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.7% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,823
Chronic Absenteeism20.2%

Fifth Ward Junior High School — Students at Fifth Ward Junior High School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.2% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 66.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 52 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
74%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2017
Math
76%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2020*
Math
49%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
44.5%
ELA
53.7%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Fifth Ward Junior High School Compares

See how Fifth Ward Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
88th percentile in LA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Sixth Ward Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Pearl River), with a very similar rating. Another option is ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Bogalusa), with a comparable rating. Additionally, E. E. Lyon Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Covington), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bush, see our Bush schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi
School Distance Rating
BENS FORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bogalusa 8.7 mi 4.3
Byrd Avenue Primary School Bogalusa 10.6 mi 5.1
Lee Road Junior High School Covington 9.4 mi 7.0
Central Elementary School Bogalusa 11.5 mi 6.2
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bogalusa 11.7 mi 7.7
Abita Springs Elementary School Abita Springs 11.4 mi 6.9
Bogalusa High School Bogalusa 11.9 mi 5.4
SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Abita Springs 11.5 mi 5.0
Sixth Ward Elementary School Pearl River 11.5 mi 8.1
Abita Springs Middle School Abita Springs 11.6 mi 7.4
Enon Elementary School Franklinton 12.4 mi 5.8
Northshore Charter School Bogalusa 13.6 mi 4.5
E. E. Lyon Elementary School Covington 13.3 mi 7.5
Lakeshore High School Mandeville 14.7 mi 7.0
Louisiana Key Academy Northshore Baton Rouge 13.6 mi 5.3
Pine View Middle School Covington 14.1 mi 5.3
ST SCHOLASTICA ACADEMY Covington 14.3 mi 5.6
COVINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Covington 14.3 mi
ST PETER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Covington 14.3 mi 4.2
William Pitcher Junior High School Covington 14.6 mi 7.9

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bayou Woods Elementary School Slidell, LA 8.3
Bellaire Elementary School Bossier City, LA 8.3
Gonzales Primary School Gonzales, LA 8.3
Pierre Part Elementary School Pierre Part, LA 8.3
Ruston Elementary School Ruston, LA 8.3
Stockwell Place Elementary School Bossier City, LA 8.3

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 ranks #158 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Fifth Ward Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fifth Ward Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fifth Ward Junior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fifth Ward Junior High School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

District

St. Tammany Parish
District Enrollment
38,794
Schools in District
55
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,823
District Rank
#9 of 55

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