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Excellent

#75 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 6% in state

N.s.u. Middle Lab School

Middle School · Natchitoches Parish

100 Tarlton Drive TEC Building POD A, Natchitoches, LA 71497

Enrollment

173

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

8.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Natchitoches

#3 of 9

public schools

Louisiana middle schools

#32 of 219

In district

#4 of 13

Natchitoches Parish

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About N.s.u. Middle Lab School

N.S.U. Middle Lab School serves 173 sixth through eighth graders in Natchitoches, Louisiana, earning a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional on MySchoolScout's scale. The school ranks 31st out of 1,288 public schools statewide, outperforming 98% of Louisiana schools.

That margin is not a rounding error: it places N.S.U. Middle Lab in a tier that fewer than two out of every hundred public schools in the state can claim. Academic performance anchors that standing.

The school posts a 9.8 out of 10 on academics and a 9.3 on growth — meaning students here don't just perform at a high level, they continue climbing. A 15.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio gives teachers the bandwidth to support each student individually across all three grade levels, a structural advantage in a school this size. Within Natchitoches, N.S.U.

Middle Lab ranks second of nine schools. Statewide, it places 15th among 219 middle schools. For families weighing middle school options in the area, those figures point to a school that consistently delivers results well above what most Louisiana students experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 173 students, N.s.u. Middle Lab 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency91%
Math vs. State Avg+66.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+50.1 pts
Overall Proficiency96%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+33.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,353

N.s.u. Middle Lab School — Students at N.s.u. Middle Lab School score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.4%
School
State
31.9%
ELA Proficiency 79.7%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 20 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
78%
ELA
76.8%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How N.s.u. Middle Lab School Compares

See how N.s.u. Middle Lab School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
94th percentile in LA
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

100 Tarlton Drive TEC Building POD A, Natchitoches, LA 71497

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering N.s.u. Middle Lab School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Natchitoches Jr. High School (rated 9.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Natchitoches Elementary & Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Red River Junior High School (rated 7.5/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Coushatta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Natchitoches, see our Natchitoches schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Natchitoches Central High School Natchitoches 0.5 mi 6.9
Louisiana School for Math Science & the Arts Natchitoches 0.5 mi 8.9
N.S.U. Elementary Lab School Natchitoches 0.7 mi 8.3
Natchitoches Parish Technical and Career Center Natchitoches 1.3 mi 6.6
L.P. Vaughn Elementary & Middle School Natchitoches 2.0 mi 7.3
Natchitoches Jr. High School Natchitoches 2.1 mi 9.7
M.R. Weaver Elementary School Natchitoches 1.8 mi 8.0
East Natchitoches Elementary & Middle School Natchitoches 1.9 mi 7.5
ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Natchitoches 2.2 mi 6.3
OASIS OF LOVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Natchitoches 2.3 mi 6.2
Provencal Elementary & Junior High School Provencal 8.9 mi 9.0
Lakeview Jr./Sr. High School Campti 12.0 mi 8.3
Fairview-Alpha Elementary & Junior High School Campti 13.2 mi 7.4
Montgomery High School Montgomery 13.7 mi 5.8
Marthaville Elementary & Junior High School Marthaville 17.3 mi 8.7
Goldonna Elementary & Junior High School Goldonna 21.7 mi 5.0
Verda Elementary School Montgomery 19.9 mi 4.6
Red River Academic Academy Coushatta 22.0 mi 8.1
Red River High School Coushatta 22.7 mi 6.9
Red River Junior High School Coushatta 22.7 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71497 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$2,499

Population

1,729

College Educated

26.3%

Homeownership

3.6%

Poverty Rate

95.3%

Median Age

19.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding N.s.u. Middle Lab School has a median household income of $2,499. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 95.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Helix Legal Academy Baton Rouge, LA 8.8
Folsom Junior High School Folsom, LA 8.3
B. Edward Boudreaux Middle School Baldwin, LA 8.2
East Feliciana Middle School Clinton, LA 8.2
Port Allen Middle School Port Allen, LA 8.0
Creswell Middle School Opelousas, LA 7.7

Compare N.s.u. Middle Lab School with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about N.s.u. Middle Lab School

What grades does N.s.u. Middle Lab School serve?

N.s.u. Middle Lab School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend N.s.u. Middle Lab School?

N.s.u. Middle Lab School has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at N.s.u. Middle Lab School?

The student-teacher ratio at N.s.u. Middle Lab School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does N.s.u. Middle Lab School rank in LA?

N.s.u. Middle Lab School is ranked #75 out of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is N.s.u. Middle Lab School's MySchoolScout rating?

N.s.u. Middle Lab School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 N.s.u. Middle Lab School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, N.s.u. Middle Lab School has 75.4% math proficiency and 79.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is N.s.u. Middle Lab School a charter school?

No, N.s.u. Middle Lab School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is N.s.u. Middle Lab School a Title I school?

No, N.s.u. Middle Lab School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for N.s.u. Middle Lab School?

38.7% of students at N.s.u. Middle Lab 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,300/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Natchitoches). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does N.s.u. Middle Lab School stack up?

Natchitoches Jr. High School
9.7

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Natchitoches Parish
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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