Very Good
#420 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 33% in state
Gillis Elementary School
Elementary School · Calcasieu Parish
916 Topsy Road, Lake Charles, LA 70611
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Charles
#16 of 34
public schools
Louisiana elementary schools
#235 of 703
In district
#28 of 55
Calcasieu Parish
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Gillis Elementary School
Gillis Elementary School in Lake Charles, Louisiana, offers a nurturing environment for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 689 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, the school ensures that each child receives individual attention and support. Located in a rural area near town, Gillis Elementary is part of Calcasieu Parish and stands at 916 Topsy Road.
The academic performance of Gillis Elementary places it around the 42nd percentile among schools in Louisiana, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 5.8 out of 10. The school’s proficiency rates show that 48% of students are proficient or above across both ELA/Reading and Math subjects. While the school has room for academic growth, it focuses on student development and provides a supportive community environment.
Gillis Elementary School is set in an area that offers a close-knit feeling with its rural surroundings near town.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Gillis Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Gillis Elementary School — Students at Gillis Elementary School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 7.1/10.
How Gillis Elementary School Compares
See how Gillis Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
916 Topsy Road, Lake Charles, LA 70611
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gillis Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LeBleu Settlement Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 9.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARGARET CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 11.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Combre-Fondel Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 7.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lake Charles, see our Lake Charles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 70611 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,146
Median Home Value
$249,400
Median Rent
$1,241/mo
Population
20,681
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gillis Elementary School has a median household income of $101,146. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,400, with a median rent of $1,241/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Advantage Charter Academy Baker, LA | 7.0 |
| Charles M. Burke Elementary School Duson, LA | 7.0 |
| Evangeline Elementary School Lafayette, LA | 7.0 |
| Lafayette Academy Charter School New Orleans, LA | 7.0 |
| Lake Arthur Elementary School Lake Arthur, LA | 7.0 |
| Mandeville Elementary School Mandeville, LA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gillis Elementary School
What grades does Gillis Elementary School serve?
Gillis Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Gillis Elementary School?
Gillis Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 689 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gillis Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gillis Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gillis Elementary School rank in LA?
Gillis Elementary School is ranked #420 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Gillis Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gillis Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Gillis Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gillis Elementary School has 47.7% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gillis Elementary School a charter school?
No, Gillis Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gillis Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Gillis Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gillis Elementary School?
55.0% of students at Gillis Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (3,083/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Charles). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 689
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Calcasieu Parish
- Phone
- (337) 217-4550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Calcasieu Parish- District Enrollment
- 29,282
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,724
- District Rank
- #28 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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