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Average

#1003 of 1,288 schools in LA

Start Elementary School

Elementary School · Richland Parish

P.O. Box 146, Start, LA 71279

Enrollment

335

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana elementary schools

#534 of 703

In district

#9 of 11

Richland Parish

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Start Elementary School

Start Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Start, Louisiana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 335 students and employs 19 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1. The MySchoolScout rating for Start Elementary School is 2.7 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking as #1240 out of 1290 schools in Louisiana, placing it in the 4th percentile.

On standardized tests, the school shows that 23% of students are proficient or above when considering combined ELA and math scores, with 32% proficiency in reading and 27% in mathematics. While Start Elementary School faces challenges academically, it continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive learning environment. The rural setting provides a close-knit community where students can benefit from smaller class sizes and personalized attention from teachers.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Start Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Start Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-24 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.9 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-38.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,709

Start Elementary School — Students at Start Elementary School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.6%
School
State
33.2%
ELA Proficiency 36.3%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 30 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
20.3%
ELA
38.5%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Start Elementary School Compares

See how Start Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in LA
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 146, Start, LA 71279

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Start Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shady Grove Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rayville Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Rayville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cypress Point Elementary School (rated 5.4/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Start, see our Start schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Rayville Elementary School Rayville 5.8 mi 6.0
Rayville Junior High School Rayville 6.6 mi 4.4
Rayville High School Rayville 6.6 mi 5.6
Ouachita Parish High School Monroe 7.9 mi 6.7
Swartz Upper Elementary School Monroe 9.5 mi 5.3
Swartz Lower Elementary School Monroe 9.5 mi 5.1
East Ouachita Middle School Monroe 10.5 mi 8.0
Cypress Point Elementary School Monroe 11.0 mi 5.4
Lakeshore School Monroe 11.1 mi 3.8
Mangham Elementary School Mangham 12.8 mi 5.2
Mangham High School Mangham 12.9 mi 6.1
Mangham Junior High School Mangham 12.9 mi 6.0
Ouachita Junior High School Monroe 11.7 mi 7.1
Roy Neal Shelling Sr. Elementary Monroe 12.4 mi 3.5
Sherrouse School Monroe 12.7 mi 6.1
RIVER OAKS SCHOOL Monroe 13.1 mi 8.0
Jack Hayes Elementary School Monroe 13.1 mi 4.0
Shady Grove Elementary School Monroe 13.0 mi 6.1
Carroll Junior High School Monroe 13.3 mi 7.8
Wossman High School Monroe 13.3 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71279 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Population

68

College Educated

0%

Homeownership

0%

Poverty Rate

100%

Community Profile

It is a community where 0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 100.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baskin School Baskin, LA 5.2
Bayou Woods Elementary School Slidell, LA 5.2
Frost School Livingston, LA 5.2
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Port Allen, LA 5.2
Henry Heights Elementary School Lake Charles, LA 5.2
J. S. Clark Elementary School Shreveport, LA 5.2

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 is ranked #1003 out of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Start Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Start Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Start Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Start Elementary School has 22.6% math proficiency and 36.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Richland Parish
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Richland Parish
District Enrollment
2,845
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,896
District Rank
#9 of 11

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.

Read our full methodology

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