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Excellent

#80 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 6% in state

R.k. Smith Middle School

Middle School · St. Charles Parish

281 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, Luling, LA 70070

Enrollment

305

Student-Teacher

9:1

Score

8.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#80 of 1,288

In Luling

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#5 of 15

St. Charles Parish

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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R.k. Smith Middle School

8.8/10

Middle School in Luling · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Luling Elementary School

6.6/10

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

St Charles Borromeo School

5.3/10

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

About R.k. Smith Middle School

R.k. Smith Middle School is a public middle school in Luling, LA, part of St. Charles Parish.

R.k. Smith Middle School serves approximately 305 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. R.k.

Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #80 of 1,288 schools in LA. Structured state assessment records for R.k. Smith Middle School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.8
  • LA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

At 9:1 students to teachers, R.k. Smith Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

R.k. Smith Middle 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 Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.3% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg+66.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected+32.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,961
Chronic Absenteeism14.4%

R.k. Smith Middle School — Students at R.k. Smith Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.9% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 65.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 41 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
64%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
55%
ELA
74%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
85%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
73%
2017
Math
64%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
76%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
47.3%
ELA
43.3%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How R.k. Smith Middle School Compares

See how R.k. Smith Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
94th percentile in LA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

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

281 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, Luling, LA 70070

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering R.k. Smith Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Harry M. Hurst Middle School (rated 8.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Destrehan), with a very similar rating. Another option is J.B. Martin Middle School (rated 8.8/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Paradis), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Albert Cammon Middle School (rated 8.6/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby St. Rose), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Luling, see our Luling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Luling Elementary School Luling 1.1 mi 6.6
ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL Destrehan 1.4 mi 5.3
Harry M. Hurst Middle School Destrehan 1.5 mi 8.9
Destrehan High School Destrehan 2.3 mi 7.7
Mimosa Park Elementary School Luling 2.4 mi 8.9
New Sarpy Elementary School Destrehan 2.9 mi 9.4
Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School Destrehan 3.1 mi 7.8
Lakewood Elementary School Luling 3.0 mi 7.4
Hahnville High School Boutte 3.2 mi 7.1
R.J. Vial Elementary School Paradis 4.5 mi 7.8
J.B. Martin Middle School Paradis 4.6 mi 8.8
Albert Cammon Middle School St. Rose 4.7 mi 8.6
St. Rose Elementary School St. Rose 4.7 mi 6.5
Norco Elementary School Norco 5.8 mi 9.1
Allemands Elementary School Des Allemands 9.1 mi 8.1
John James Audubon School Kenner 9.0 mi 7.4
Lucille Cherbonnier School Waggaman 8.6 mi 4.2
G.T. Woods School Kenner 9.5 mi 4.3
A.C. Alexander School Kenner 9.7 mi 6.3
Emily C. Watkins Elementary Laplace 10.3 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 70070 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,273

Median Home Value

$268,400

Median Rent

$1,570/mo

Population

13,873

College Educated

32.7%

Homeownership

87.6%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

38.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LeBlanc Middle School Sulphur, LA 8.8
L.P. Monteleone Junior High School Mandeville, LA 8.9
Natchitoches Jr. High School Natchitoches, LA 8.9
Maplewood Middle School Sulphur, LA 8.7
Albert Cammon Middle School St. Rose, LA 8.6
Belle Place Middle School New Iberia, LA 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about R.k. Smith Middle School

What grades does R.k. Smith Middle School serve?

R.k. Smith Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend R.k. Smith Middle School?

R.k. Smith Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 305 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at R.k. Smith Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at R.k. Smith Middle School is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does R.k. Smith Middle School rank in LA?

R.k. Smith Middle School ranks #80 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is R.k. Smith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

R.k. Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 R.k. Smith Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, R.k. Smith Middle School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is R.k. Smith Middle School a charter school?

No, R.k. Smith Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is R.k. Smith Middle School a Title I school?

No, R.k. Smith Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for R.k. Smith Middle School?

68.9% of students at R.k. Smith Middle 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
St. Charles Parish
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

District

St. Charles Parish
District Enrollment
9,293
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,961
District Rank
#5 of 15

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