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Average

#804 of 1,288 schools in LA

Tensas Elementary School

Elementary School · Tensas Parish

Rt. 2 Box 306, St. Joseph, LA 71366

Enrollment

184

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#804 of 1,288

In St. Joseph

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Tensas Parish

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Tensas Elementary School

5.8/10

Elementary School in St. Joseph · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tensas High School

7.6/10

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

Tensas Academy

8.4/10

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

About Tensas Elementary School

Tensas Elementary School is a public elementary school in St. Joseph, LA, part of Tensas Parish. Tensas Elementary School serves approximately 184 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio.

Tensas Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #804 of 1,288 schools in LA. Structured state assessment records for Tensas Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below LA schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • LA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 184 students, Tensas Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Tensas Elementary 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 Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.7% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg-4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,098
Chronic Absenteeism24.5%

Tensas Elementary School — Students at Tensas Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
35.9% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 44.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 40 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
57%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
32%
ELA
26.7%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Tensas Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in LA
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.5%

Location

Rt. 2 Box 306, St. Joseph, LA 71366

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tensas Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JEFFERSON CO ELEM SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Fayette), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ferriday Lower Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Ferriday), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vidalia Upper Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Vidalia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in St. Joseph, see our St. Joseph schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Tensas High School St. Joseph 0.6 mi 7.6
TENSAS ACADEMY Saint Joseph 0.8 mi 8.4
A. W. WATSON ELEMENTARY Port Gibson 15.3 mi 3.7
PORT GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Gibson 15.3 mi 4.6
JEFFERSON CO HIGH Fayette 17.4 mi 6.4
JEFFERSON CO ELEM SCHOOL Fayette 18.2 mi 7.7
PORT GIBSON HIGH SCHOOL Port Gibson 17.8 mi 6.5
MORGANTOWN ELEMENTARY Natchez 24.6 mi 6.2
NATCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL Natchez 26.2 mi 5.2
NATCHEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL Natchez 26.3 mi 5.1
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Natchez 26.4 mi
Vidalia Lower Elementary School Vidalia 26.2 mi 5.7
Vidalia Upper Elementary School Vidalia 26.5 mi 6.3
MC LAURIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Natchez 27.1 mi 6.0
Vidalia High School Vidalia 26.7 mi 4.9
Vidalia Junior High School Vidalia 27.0 mi 6.8
Ferriday Lower Elementary School Ferriday 26.2 mi 7.1
Sicily Island High School Sicily Island 24.6 mi 4.4
Ferriday High School Ferriday 26.5 mi 6.2
Delta Charter School MST Ferriday 26.3 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71366 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,806

Median Home Value

$103,300

Median Rent

$725/mo

Population

1,454

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

71.2%

Poverty Rate

21.7%

Median Age

47

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brownfields Elementary School Baker, LA 5.8
MEMORIAL BAPTIST SCHOOL Metairie, LA 5.8
OUR LADY IMMACULATE SCHOOL Jennings, LA 5.8
Elton Elementary School Elton, LA 5.7
Bayou Black Elementary School Houma, LA 5.9
Holly Ridge Elementary School Rayville, LA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tensas Elementary School

What grades does Tensas Elementary School serve?

Tensas Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Tensas Elementary School?

Tensas Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tensas Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tensas Elementary School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tensas Elementary School rank in LA?

Tensas Elementary School ranks #804 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Tensas Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tensas Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Tensas Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tensas Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Tensas Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Tensas Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Tensas Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tensas Elementary School?

89.1% of students at Tensas 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Tensas Parish
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.5%

District

Tensas Parish
District Enrollment
341
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,098
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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