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
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Start Elementary School — Students at Start Elementary School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 30 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: 7.4/10.
How Start Elementary School Compares
See how Start Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (318) 728-2074
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland Parish- District Enrollment
- 2,845
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,896
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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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