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Below Average

#1053 of 1,288 schools in LA

Sunset Middle School

Middle School · St. Landry Parish

236 Church Hill St., Sunset, LA 70584

Enrollment

392

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

4.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#1,053 of 1,288

In Sunset

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#25 of 32

St. Landry Parish

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Sunset Middle School

4.8/10

Middle School in Sunset · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ecole Saint-landry

4.5/10

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

St Ignatius Elementary School

5.6/10

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

About Sunset Middle School

Sunset Middle School is a public middle school in Sunset, LA, part of St. Landry Parish. Sunset Middle School serves approximately 392 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio.

Sunset Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,053 of 1,288 schools in LA. Structured state assessment records for Sunset Middle School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • LA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Sunset Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.5% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.2% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,349
Chronic Absenteeism28.3%

Sunset Middle School — Students at Sunset Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.7% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 51.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 44 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
55%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
60%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
53%
ELA
74%
2015
Math
58%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
64%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
64%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
33%
2025
Math
11.5%
ELA
35.3%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Sunset Middle School Compares

See how Sunset Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in LA
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

236 Church Hill St., Sunset, LA 70584

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunset Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Creswell Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Opelousas), which scores notably higher. Another option is Opelousas Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Opelousas), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carencro Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Carencro), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sunset, see our Sunset schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ecole Saint-Landry Sunset 0.7 mi 4.5
ST IGNATIUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grand Coteau 1.7 mi 5.6
Grand Coteau Elementary School Grand Coteau 1.8 mi 5.0
Beau Chene High School Arnaudville 3.9 mi 3.9
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Opelousas 4.6 mi 7.0
Cankton Elementary School Cankton 4.7 mi 6.3
CARENCRO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Carencro 6.0 mi 4.7
Carencro Middle School Carencro 6.1 mi 5.7
Carencro Bob Lilly Elementary Carencro 6.3 mi 6.5
Opelousas Senior High School Opelousas 6.5 mi 4.0
Leonville Elementary School Leonville 7.1 mi 6.3
Park Vista Elementary School Opelousas 7.8 mi 5.0
Creswell Middle School Opelousas 8.0 mi 7.9
Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts Opelousas 8.2 mi 8.4
Live Oak Elementary School Lafayette 8.2 mi 5.4
Carencro High School Lafayette 8.2 mi 4.5
Ossun Elementary School Lafayette 8.2 mi 7.7
Opelousas Junior High School Opelousas 8.6 mi 4.6
St. Landry Charter School Opelousas 8.6 mi 6.6
Opelousas Middle School Opelousas 8.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 70584 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,327

Median Home Value

$184,000

Median Rent

$1,037/mo

Population

6,865

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

78.1%

Avg Commute

33.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Median Age

34.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North Webster Junior High School Sarepta, LA 4.7
Vernon Middle School Leesville, LA 4.7
Acadian Middle School Lafayette, LA 4.9
Crowley Middle School Crowley, LA 4.9
Park Forest Middle School Baton Rouge, LA 4.9
Webster Junior High School Minden, LA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunset Middle School

What grades does Sunset Middle School serve?

Sunset Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Sunset Middle School?

Sunset Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Middle School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunset Middle School rank in LA?

Sunset Middle School ranks #1,053 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Sunset Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunset Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Sunset Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunset Middle School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sunset Middle School a charter school?

No, Sunset Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sunset Middle School a Title I school?

No, Sunset Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunset Middle School?

77.3% of students at Sunset 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
St. Landry Parish
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.3%

District

St. Landry Parish
District Enrollment
11,980
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,349
District Rank
#25 of 32

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