Needs Improvement
#1207 of 1,288 schools in LA
Howard School
School · Howard School
P.O. Box 929, Ruston, LA 71270
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher
41.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
2nd – 12th
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher
41.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
2nd – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Louisiana schools
#1,207 of 1,288
In Ruston
#9 of 9
public schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Howard School
School in Ruston · grades 2nd – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
I.a. Lewis School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
A. E. Phillips Laboratory School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Howard School
Howard School is a public school in Ruston, LA, part of Howard School. Howard School serves approximately 125 students, and covers grades 2nd-12th, and has a 41.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Howard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,207 of 1,288 schools in LA.
Structured state assessment records for Howard School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- LA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 125 students, Howard School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Howard School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Howard School runs 41.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Howard School — Students at Howard School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 84%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
8.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 38 test records from LA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Howard School Compares
See how Howard School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
P.O. Box 929, Ruston, LA 71270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howard School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Simsboro High School (rated 8.2/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Simsboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is Quitman High School (rated 7.6/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Quitman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ruston, see our Ruston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| I.A. Lewis School Ruston | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| A. E. Phillips Laboratory School Ruston | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Ruston Elementary School Ruston | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Ruston High School Ruston | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ruston | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RUSTON Ruston | 1.6 mi | — |
| Cypress Springs Elementary School Ruston | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School Ruston | 2.5 mi | 9.6 |
| Glen View Elementary School Ruston | 2.5 mi | 9.3 |
| CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL Ruston | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Ruston Junior High School Ruston | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Preparatory School Grambling | 3.5 mi | 2.3 |
| Choudrant High School Choudrant | 7.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Choudrant Elementary School Choudrant | 8.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Simsboro High School Simsboro | 8.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Dubach School Dubach | 12.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Quitman High School Quitman | 12.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Downsville Community Charter School Downsville | 14.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Calhoun Elementary School Calhoun | 15.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Arcadia High School Arcadia | 16.0 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 71270 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,599
Median Home Value
$218,600
Median Rent
$819/mo
Population
32,747
College Educated
39.9%
Homeownership
49.6%
Avg Commute
16.9 min
Poverty Rate
32.7%
Median Age
28.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Travis Hill School New Orleans, LA | 3.7 |
| Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center Covington, LA | 3.8 |
| Central Southwest Alternative High School Bunkie, LA | 3.4 |
| Northdale Superintendent's Academy Baton Rouge, LA | 4.4 |
| Sicily Island High School Sicily Island, LA | 4.4 |
| Ware Youth Center Coushatta, LA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howard School
What grades does Howard School serve?
Howard School serves students in grades 2nd through 12th.
How many students attend Howard School?
Howard School has an enrollment of approximately 125 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard School?
The student-teacher ratio at Howard School is 41.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howard School rank in LA?
Howard School ranks #1,207 of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Howard School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Howard School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Howard School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
Is Howard School a charter school?
No, Howard School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howard School a Title I school?
No, Howard School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard School?
8.8% of students at Howard 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 2nd – 12th
- Enrollment
- 125
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 41.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 8.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lincoln Parish
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.4%
- Phone
- (318) 255-5763
- 4-Year Graduation
- ≤20%
Resources & Links
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