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Very Good

#462 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 36% 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#462 of 1,288

In Lake Charles

#18 of 34

public schools

In district

#30 of 55

Calcasieu Parish

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Gillis Elementary School

7.0/10

Elementary School in Lake Charles · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

First Baptist Christian Academy

4.8/10

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

Moss Bluff Middle School

8.5/10

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

About Gillis Elementary School

Gillis Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lake Charles, LA, part of Calcasieu Parish. Gillis Elementary School serves approximately 689 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Gillis Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #462 of 1,288 schools in LA.

Structured state assessment records for Gillis Elementary School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • LA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Gillis Elementary 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 Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.3% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.3% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected+2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,724
Chronic Absenteeism11.8%

Gillis Elementary School — Students at Gillis Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.9% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 65.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 40 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
81%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
76%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2020*
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
33%
2025
Math
44.3%
ELA
58.3%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Gillis Elementary School Compares

See how Gillis Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in LA
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.8%

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

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. Westwood Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Westlake), which scores notably higher. Another option is LeBleu Settlement Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 9.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John J. Johnson II Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 9.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Charles, see our Lake Charles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake Charles 4.9 mi 4.8
Moss Bluff Middle School Lake Charles 5.0 mi 8.5
Sam Houston High School Lake Charles 5.2 mi 7.0
Moss Bluff Elementary School Lake Charles 5.2 mi 8.2
Combre-Fondel Elementary School Lake Charles 7.6 mi 5.0
Ray D. Molo Middle Magnet School Lake Charles 8.2 mi 7.1
Washington/Marion Magnet High School Lake Charles 8.5 mi 6.0
Ralph F. Wilson Elementary School Lake Charles 9.2 mi 4.7
Westlake High School Westlake 8.9 mi 7.4
Westwood Elementary School Westlake 9.0 mi 9.5
Western Heights Elementary School Westlake 9.4 mi 7.3
John J. Johnson II Elementary School Lake Charles 9.8 mi 8.4
S. P. Arnett Middle School Westlake 9.7 mi 8.4
BISHOP NOLAND EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Lake Charles 10.0 mi 8.1
LeBleu Settlement Elementary School Lake Charles 9.6 mi 8.9
Pearl Watson Elementary School Lake Charles 10.5 mi 5.5
ST LOUIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lake Charles 10.8 mi 5.6
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Lake Charles 10.8 mi 5.7
ST MARGARET CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lake Charles 11.5 mi 8.1
T. H. Watkins Elementary School Lake Charles 11.5 mi 7.6

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bellingrath Hills Elementary School Greenwell Springs, LA 7.0
Church Point Elementary School Church Point, LA 7.0
Lee Road Junior High School Covington, LA 7.0
OUR LADY OF MERCY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baton Rouge, LA 7.0
Sterlington Elementary School Sterlington, LA 7.0
Abita Springs Elementary School Abita Springs, LA 6.9

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 ranks #462 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Gillis Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gillis Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Gillis Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gillis Elementary School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.8%

District

Calcasieu Parish
District Enrollment
29,282
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,724
District Rank
#30 of 55

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