Below Average
#1087 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
4.8
Grades
2nd – 12th
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher
41.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
2nd – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ruston
#9 of 9
public schools
Louisiana schools
#89 of 103
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Howard School
Howard School is an alternative school located in Ruston, Louisiana, within Lincoln Parish. Serving students from second grade through twelfth grade, the school houses a diverse range of learners with 125 students enrolled. With only three full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio stands at 41.7:1, indicating that the focus is on providing an alternative educational experience rather than traditional classroom instruction.
Academically, Howard School ranks in the 22nd percentile among Louisiana schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.9 out of 10. The proficiency rates for ELA/Reading are at 27%, while math proficiency is at 16%. These scores suggest that the school has room for improvement in terms of academic performance, but also highlights its commitment to student development beyond standardized test metrics.
Howard School is situated in a small town setting, offering students and families a close-knit community feel. Despite the challenges reflected in the current rankings, Howard School continues to serve as an important resource for alternative education options in Ruston.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 125 students, Howard School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Howard School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Howard School is 41.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
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: 85%).
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 20 test records from LA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
How Howard School Compares
See how Howard School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 10% (2025).
Location
P.O. Box 929, Ruston, LA 71270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howard School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Quitman High School (rated 7.8/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Quitman), which scores notably higher. Another option is CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Simsboro High School (rated 6.6/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Simsboro), 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 | 7.3 |
| A. E. Phillips Laboratory School Ruston | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Ruston Elementary School Ruston | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Ruston High School Ruston | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School Ruston | 2.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Glen View Elementary School Ruston | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL Ruston | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Ruston Junior High School Ruston | 2.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Lincoln Preparatory School Grambling | 3.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Choudrant High School Choudrant | 7.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Choudrant Elementary School Choudrant | 8.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Simsboro High School Simsboro | 8.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Dubach School Dubach | 12.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Quitman High School Quitman | 12.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Downsville Community Charter School Downsville | 14.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Calhoun Elementary School Calhoun | 15.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Arcadia High School Arcadia | 16.0 mi | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howard School has a median household income of $37,599. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,600, with a median rent of $819/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| THE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF LOUISIANA Addis, LA | 5.0 |
| OLD BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clarks, LA | 5.1 |
| Rapides Training Academy Alexandria, LA | 5.1 |
| Sicily Island High School Sicily Island, LA | 4.3 |
| Travis Hill School New Orleans, LA | 5.3 |
| Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center Covington, LA | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #1087 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Howard School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Howard School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard School has 7.3% math proficiency and 17.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,383/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ruston). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (318) 255-5763
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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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