Excellent
#60 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 5% in state
Ruston Junior High School
Middle School · Lincoln Parish
481 Tarbutton Road, Ruston, LA 71270
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ruston
#1 of 9
public schools
Louisiana middle schools
#28 of 219
In district
#1 of 12
Lincoln Parish
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Ruston Junior High School
Ruston Junior High School is a public middle school in Ruston, LA, part of the Lincoln Parish. The school serves approximately 580 students in grades 7th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.4th percentile among LA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 43% proficiency in math, 11 points above the state average and 45% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $37,599, where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Ruston Junior High School — Students at Ruston Junior High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 8.4/10.
How Ruston Junior High School Compares
See how Ruston Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
481 Tarbutton Road, Ruston, LA 71270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ruston Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ruston High School (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Crawford Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Arcadia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Quitman High School (rated 7.8/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Quitman), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ruston, see our Ruston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Glen View Elementary School Ruston | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Preparatory School Grambling | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Cypress Springs Elementary School Ruston | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Ruston High School Ruston | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RUSTON Ruston | 1.7 mi | — |
| A. E. Phillips Laboratory School Ruston | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| I.A. Lewis School Ruston | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School Ruston | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Howard School Ruston | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Ruston Elementary School Ruston | 3.3 mi | 6.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ruston | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL Ruston | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Simsboro High School Simsboro | 6.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Dubach School Dubach | 10.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Choudrant High School Choudrant | 9.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Choudrant Elementary School Choudrant | 10.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Quitman High School Quitman | 13.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Arcadia High School Arcadia | 13.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Crawford Elementary School Arcadia | 13.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Downsville Community Charter School Downsville | 16.3 mi | 4.6 |
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 Junior 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 |
|---|---|
| Galvez Middle School Prairieville, LA | 8.7 |
| S. P. Arnett Middle School Westlake, LA | 8.7 |
| Central Middle School Gonzales, LA | 8.6 |
| Creekside Junior High Pearl River, LA | 8.6 |
| Edgar Martin Middle School Lafayette, LA | 8.6 |
| Dutchtown Middle School Geismar, LA | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ruston Junior High School
What grades does Ruston Junior High School serve?
Ruston Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Ruston Junior High School?
Ruston Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 580 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruston Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ruston Junior 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 Junior High School rank in LA?
Ruston Junior High School is ranked #60 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Ruston Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruston Junior High School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruston Junior High School has 42.8% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ruston Junior High School a charter school?
No, Ruston Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ruston Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Ruston Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ruston Junior High School?
53.6% of students at Ruston Junior 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 580
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lincoln Parish
- Phone
- (318) 251-1601
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln Parish- District Enrollment
- 5,803
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,353
- District Rank
- #1 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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