Excellent
#181 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 14% in state
Ruston High School
High School · Lincoln Parish
900 Bearcat Drive, Ruston, LA 71270
Enrollment
1,277
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,277
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ruston
#2 of 9
public schools
Louisiana high schools
#16 of 263
In district
#2 of 12
Lincoln Parish
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Ruston High School
Ruston High School serves 1,277 students in grades 9-12 in Ruston, Louisiana, with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 and 99 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #105 out of 1,290 Louisiana high schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide. Academically, Ruston High School demonstrates solid performance with an 8.5/10 academic score.
Students achieve 57% proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels, while 48% reach proficiency or above in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students build essential academic skills during their high school years. The school draws from a diverse community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to an environment that values education.
The surrounding ZIP code of 71270 has a population of 33,112, with a median household income of $36,679 and median home value of $209,400. While the area faces economic challenges with a 31.3% poverty rate, the community's educational focus helps support student achievement. Ruston High School operates as a regular public school in this Louisiana town setting, serving families throughout Lincoln Parish with a strong academic foundation for college and career preparation.
Score Breakdown
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Ruston High School — Students at Ruston High School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from LA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.4/10.
How Ruston High School Compares
See how Ruston High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 51% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 58% (2025).
Location
900 Bearcat Drive, Ruston, LA 71270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ruston High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Arcadia High School (rated 7.5/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Arcadia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Choudrant High School (rated 6.7/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Choudrant), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ruston, see our Ruston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RUSTON Ruston | 0.5 mi | — |
| A. E. Phillips Laboratory School Ruston | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Glen View Elementary School Ruston | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| I.A. Lewis School Ruston | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Howard School Ruston | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Cypress Springs Elementary School Ruston | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School Ruston | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Ruston Junior High School Ruston | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Ruston Elementary School Ruston | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL Ruston | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ruston | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Lincoln Preparatory School Grambling | 2.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Choudrant High School Choudrant | 7.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Simsboro High School Simsboro | 8.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Choudrant Elementary School Choudrant | 8.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Dubach School Dubach | 11.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Quitman High School Quitman | 13.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Downsville Community Charter School Downsville | 15.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Arcadia High School Arcadia | 15.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Crawford Elementary School Arcadia | 15.4 mi | 7.9 |
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 Ruston High 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 |
|---|---|
| G W Carver High School New Orleans, LA | 8.0 |
| Liberty High School Baton Rouge, LA | 8.2 |
| David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy Lafayette, LA | 7.8 |
| McDonogh 35 Senior High School New Orleans, LA | 7.7 |
| Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy Avondale, LA | 8.3 |
| Benjamin Franklin High School New Orleans, LA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ruston High School
What grades does Ruston High School serve?
Ruston High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ruston High School?
Ruston High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,277 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruston High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ruston High School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ruston High School rank in LA?
Ruston High School is ranked #181 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Ruston High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruston High School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Ruston High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruston High School has 57.8% math proficiency and 66.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ruston High School a charter school?
No, Ruston High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ruston High School a Title I school?
No, Ruston High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ruston High School?
46.4% of students at Ruston High 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ruston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,277
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 99
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lincoln Parish
- Phone
- (318) 255-0807
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln Parish- District Enrollment
- 5,803
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,353
- District Rank
- #2 of 12
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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