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Needs Improvement

#1239 of 1,288 schools in LA

Tara High School

High School · East Baton Rouge Parish

9002 Whitehall, Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Enrollment

1,002

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Baton Rouge

#88 of 93

public schools

Louisiana high schools

#249 of 263

In district

#73 of 79

East Baton Rouge Parish

About Tara High School

Tara High School serves 1,002 students in grades 9-12 in Baton Rouge's East Baton Rouge Parish. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for high school instruction. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in core subjects.

Currently, 14% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 7% show proficiency in mathematics. These results place Tara High School at #1259 out of 1,290 Louisiana high schools, indicating the school is working to improve student outcomes and better serve its community. The school is situated in the 70806 zip code area, a diverse neighborhood with a median household income of $52,393 and median home values around $310,100.

The community shows strong educational values, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though 22.2% of families experience poverty. This mixed economic landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for supporting student success. Tara High School operates as a regular public school in this mid-size city setting, serving families across various socioeconomic backgrounds within Baton Rouge's dynamic community structure.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Math vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-34.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

Tara High School — Students at Tara High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.8%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
44.4%

Based on 10 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
36%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
9%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
14%
2025
Math
6%
ELA
13%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Tara High School Compares

See how Tara High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
4th percentile in LA
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

9002 Whitehall, Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tara High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Broadmoor Senior High School (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Collegiate Baton Rouge (rated 6.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baton Rouge, see our Baton Rouge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
HOSANNA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baton Rouge 0.6 mi 4.4
ST LUKES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Baton Rouge 0.7 mi 8.5
Broadmoor Elementary School Baton Rouge 0.8 mi 5.6
ST LILLIAN ACADEMY Baton Rouge 0.9 mi 6.4
LaSalle Elementary School Baton Rouge 0.9 mi 5.6
Broadmoor Senior High School Baton Rouge 1.0 mi 6.6
Cedarcrest-Southmoor Elementary School Baton Rouge 1.4 mi 4.5
Westminster Elementary School Baton Rouge 1.6 mi 5.9
Audubon Elementary School Baton Rouge 1.6 mi 3.9
BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City Baton Rouge 1.7 mi 6.7
Sherwood Middle Academic Academy Baton Rouge 1.7 mi 8.4
Collegiate Baton Rouge Baton Rouge 1.9 mi 6.4
IDEA Bridge Baton Rouge 2.1 mi 2.5
Villa del Rey Elementary School Baton Rouge 2.3 mi 5.2
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baton Rouge 2.3 mi 5.7
DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM Baton Rouge 2.4 mi 7.7
OUR LADY-MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baton Rouge 2.4 mi 4.8
Jefferson Terrace Academy Baton Rouge 2.7 mi 3.6
OUR LADY OF MERCY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baton Rouge 2.4 mi 7.0
BRIGHTER HORIZON SCHOOL Baton Rouge 2.6 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 70806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,430

Median Home Value

$321,400

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

28,551

College Educated

40.3%

Homeownership

42.9%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

22.7%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tara High School has a median household income of $53,430. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $321,400, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grant High School Dry Prong, LA 3.9
Breaux Bridge High School Breaux Bridge, LA 4.0
Opelousas Senior High School Opelousas, LA 4.0
Salmen High School Slidell, LA 4.0
Southwood High School Shreveport, LA 3.8
Carencro High School Lafayette, LA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tara High School

What grades does Tara High School serve?

Tara High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Tara High School?

Tara High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,002 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tara High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tara High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tara High School rank in LA?

Tara High School is ranked #1239 out of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Tara High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tara High School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Tara High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tara High School has 13.8% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tara High School a charter school?

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

Is Tara High School a Title I school?

No, Tara High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tara High School?

61.4% of students at Tara High 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,215/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,002
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
East Baton Rouge Parish
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Baton Rouge Parish
District Enrollment
42,590
Schools in District
83
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,471
District Rank
#73 of 79

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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