Skip to main content

Below Average

#1170 of 1,288 schools in LA

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy

Elementary School · Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy

1700 East McNeese Street, Lake Charles, LA 70607

Charter

Enrollment

848

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#1,170 of 1,288

In Lake Charles

#32 of 34

public schools

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy

4.0/10

Elementary School in Lake Charles · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

F. K. White Middle School

9.2/10

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

Brentwood Elementary School

7.0/10

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

About Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy is a public elementary school in Lake Charles, LA, part of Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy. Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy serves approximately 848 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,170 of 1,288 schools in LA.

Structured state assessment records for Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts below LA schools
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • LA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-5.55 pts/yr
Data Period2015–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg-25 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.1 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,788
Chronic Absenteeism16.4%

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy — Students at Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 24.9% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
33.2% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 39.9% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
43.2% (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.

2015
Math
58%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
18%
2025
Math
11%
ELA
31.6%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Compares

See how Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
9th percentile in LA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.7/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.4%

Location

1700 East McNeese Street, Lake Charles, LA 70607

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School (rated 9.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARGARET CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, A. A. Nelson Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Charles, see our Lake Charles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
F. K. White Middle School Lake Charles 0.7 mi 9.2
Brentwood Elementary School Lake Charles 0.9 mi 7.0
Fairview Elementary School Lake Charles 1.2 mi 3.9
Henry Heights Elementary School Lake Charles 1.3 mi 5.2
LaGrange High School Lake Charles 1.6 mi 5.6
Lake Charles College Prep Lake Charles 1.6 mi 4.0
Dolby Elementary School Lake Charles 1.6 mi 7.5
Lake Charles Charter Academy Lake Charles 1.6 mi 5.8
M. J. Kaufman Elementary School Lake Charles 1.8 mi 5.5
Oak Park Middle School Lake Charles 2.0 mi 8.6
Oak Park Elementary School Lake Charles 2.1 mi 5.3
College Oaks Elementary School Lake Charles 2.1 mi 5.6
ST MARGARET CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lake Charles 2.3 mi 8.1
T. H. Watkins Elementary School Lake Charles 2.3 mi 7.6
T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School Lake Charles 2.3 mi 9.1
OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN SCHOOL Lake Charles 2.2 mi 6.2
A. A. Nelson Elementary School Lake Charles 2.4 mi 7.7
ST LOUIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lake Charles 3.1 mi 5.6
Barbe Elementary School Lake Charles 2.9 mi 5.4
Pearl Watson Elementary School Lake Charles 3.3 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 70607 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,427

Median Home Value

$171,700

Median Rent

$1,053/mo

Population

28,285

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

63.4%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

26%

Median Age

32.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
KIPP Believe New Orleans, LA 4.0
South Fork Elementary School Denham Springs, LA 4.0
West Leesville Elementary School Leesville, LA 4.0
Jefferson Terrace Academy Baton Rouge, LA 4.1
Joseph C Moscona School Metairie, LA 4.1
Phoebe Hearst School Metairie, LA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy

What grades does Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy serve?

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy?

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 848 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy rank in LA?

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy ranks #1,170 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

Is Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy a charter school?

Yes, Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy a Title I school?

No, Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy?

84.4% of students at Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
848
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Calcasieu Parish
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.4%

District

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy
District Enrollment
848
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,788
District Rank
#1 of 1

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.