Needs Improvement
#1258 of 1,288 schools in LA
Start Elementary School
Elementary School · Richland Parish · Start, LA
A Richland Parish elementary school where students score 26 points below what's typical for similar communities.
P.O. Box 146, Start, LA 71279
- Math 20% vs LA 33% (2025)
- Reading 39% vs LA 43% (2025)
- 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Start Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
2025 LEAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. LA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 15 points since 2020, reaching 29% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 46% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 52% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 52 test records from LA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
46.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Start Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 11Car-Dependent
- Bike 32Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
College educated
0%
Homeownership
0%
Poverty rate
100%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 71279; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 in Richland Parish
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.2 | PK–5 | Not available | 194 | Compare → |
| Holly Ridge Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.9 | PK–8 | Not available | 222 | Compare → |
| Mangham Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.9 | PK–5 | Not available | 437 | Compare → |
| Rayville Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.1 | PK–5 | Not available | 362 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Richland Parish
- Schools in district
- 11
- Rank in district
- #11 of 11
- District spending per student
- $13,896NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 34.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Start Elementary School is listed in Richland Parish; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Start Elementary School
Start Elementary School is a public elementary school in Start, LA, part of Richland Parish, serving approximately 335 students in grades Pre-K-8th with a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,258 of 1,288 schools in LA. State assessment records show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Start Elementary School
What grades does Start Elementary School serve?
Start Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Start Elementary School?
Start Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 335 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Start Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Start Elementary School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Start Elementary School rank in LA?
Start Elementary School ranks #1,258 of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Start Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Start Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Start Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Start Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Start Elementary School a charter school?
No, Start Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Start Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Start Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Start Elementary School?
46.6% of students at Start Elementary 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 335
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Richland Parish
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (318) 728-2074
- Area population (ZIP 71279)
- 68
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 LEAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 LEAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 LEAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 LEAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 71279; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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