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Needs Improvement

#1269 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

2.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#1,269 of 1,288

In Baton Rouge

#90 of 94

public schools

In district

#75 of 79

East Baton Rouge Parish

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Tara High School

2.9/10

High School in Baton Rouge · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hosanna Christian Academy

4.4/10

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

St Lukes Episcopal School

8.5/10

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

About Tara High School

Tara High School is a public high school in Baton Rouge, LA, part of East Baton Rouge Parish. Tara High School serves approximately 1,002 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Tara High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,269 of 1,288 schools in LA.

Structured state assessment records for Tara High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • LA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Tara High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected-35.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness3.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate60%
AP Participation13.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,471
Chronic Absenteeism47.1%

Tara High School — Students at Tara High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 32.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
36.1% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 42.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.4% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 32 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
49%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
29%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
9%
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: 3.3/10.

How Tara High School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in LA
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.1
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
13.4% participation·State avg: 2.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Collegiate Baton Rouge (rated 3.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Broadmoor Senior High School (rated 3.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly 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 4.8
ST LILLIAN ACADEMY Baton Rouge 0.9 mi 6.4
LaSalle Elementary School Baton Rouge 0.9 mi 5.2
Broadmoor Senior High School Baton Rouge 1.0 mi 3.2
Cedarcrest-Southmoor Elementary School Baton Rouge 1.4 mi 4.3
Westminster Elementary School Baton Rouge 1.6 mi 5.4
Audubon Elementary School Baton Rouge 1.6 mi 6.1
BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City Baton Rouge 1.7 mi 7.4
Sherwood Middle Academic Academy Baton Rouge 1.7 mi 8.8
Collegiate Baton Rouge Baton Rouge 1.9 mi 3.9
IDEA Bridge Baton Rouge 2.1 mi 1.7
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 4.1
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics HS New Orleans, LA 2.9
Istrouma High School Baton Rouge, LA 2.8
Livingston Collegiate Academy New Orleans, LA 3.0
McKinley Senior High School Baton Rouge, LA 3.1
Broadmoor Senior High School Baton Rouge, LA 3.2
Jefferson RISE Charter School Harvey, LA 2.5

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 ranks #1,269 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Tara High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tara High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Tara High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tara High School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.1%
4-Year Graduation
60.0%

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