Excellent
#8 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 1% in state
S. J. Welsh Middle School
Middle School · Calcasieu Parish
1500 W McNeese, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Enrollment
1,031
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
9.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,031
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
9.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Charles
#3 of 34
public schools
Louisiana middle schools
#4 of 219
In district
#3 of 55
Calcasieu Parish
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About S. J. Welsh Middle School
S. J. Welsh Middle School is a public middle school in Lake Charles, Louisiana, serving 1,031 students in grades 6 through 8.
With a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, classes stay small enough for focused instruction and consistent adult attention across all grade levels. Welsh earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with academic performance at 9.3 and growth at 9.4. Those numbers place it 4th among 219 middle schools statewide — a ranking that reflects sustained results rather than a single strong year.
The school also holds the 8th spot out of 1,288 public schools across Louisiana, outperforming 100% of schools in the state. That combination of high achievement and strong growth signals that Welsh is advancing students at an accelerated pace, not simply enrolling high performers. Within Lake Charles, Welsh ranks 3rd out of 34 schools, making it one of the top academic options in the metro area.
Parents comparing middle school options in southwest Louisiana will find few public schools that match Welsh's performance profile at this level. For families prioritizing measurable academic outcomes alongside a manageable school size, S. J.
Welsh Middle School stands as one of Louisiana's strongest choices.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
S. J. Welsh Middle School — Students at S. J. Welsh Middle School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 19 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: 9.4/10.
How S. J. Welsh Middle School Compares
See how S. J. Welsh Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 49% (2022).
Location
1500 W McNeese, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering S. J. Welsh Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. F. K. White Middle School (rated 9.7/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Prien Lake Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (rated 8.8/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lake Charles, see our Lake Charles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 70605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,337
Median Home Value
$293,800
Median Rent
$1,348/mo
Population
40,715
College Educated
42.3%
Homeownership
72.3%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding S. J. Welsh Middle School has a median household income of $88,337. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,800, with a median rent of $1,348/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| F. K. White Middle School Lake Charles, LA | 9.7 |
| Gonzales Middle School Gonzales, LA | 9.1 |
| Moss Bluff Middle School Lake Charles, LA | 9.0 |
| Harry M. Hurst Middle School Destrehan, LA | 8.9 |
| J.B. Martin Middle School Paradis, LA | 8.9 |
| W. W. Lewis Middle School Sulphur, LA | 8.9 |
Compare S. J. Welsh Middle School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- CompareS. J. Welsh Middle School vs F. K. White Middle SchoolLake Charles, LA Peer score 9.7/10 +0.3 vs S. J. Welsh Middle School
- CompareS. J. Welsh Middle School vs Oak Park Middle SchoolLake Charles, LA Peer score 9.7/10 +0.3 vs S. J. Welsh Middle School
- CompareS. J. Welsh Middle School vs Moss Bluff Middle SchoolLake Charles, LA Peer score 9.0/10 -0.4 vs S. J. Welsh Middle School
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about S. J. Welsh Middle School
What grades does S. J. Welsh Middle School serve?
S. J. Welsh Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend S. J. Welsh Middle School?
S. J. Welsh Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,031 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at S. J. Welsh Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at S. J. Welsh Middle School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does S. J. Welsh Middle School rank in LA?
S. J. Welsh Middle School is ranked #8 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is S. J. Welsh Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
S. J. Welsh Middle School has a composite rating of 9.4 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 S. J. Welsh Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, S. J. Welsh Middle School has 54.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is S. J. Welsh Middle School a charter school?
No, S. J. Welsh Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is S. J. Welsh Middle School a Title I school?
No, S. J. Welsh Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for S. J. Welsh Middle School?
49.5% of students at S. J. Welsh 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Charles). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,031
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 93
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Calcasieu Parish
- Phone
- (337) 217-4410
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Calcasieu Parish- District Enrollment
- 29,282
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,724
- District Rank
- #3 of 55
Compare This School
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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