Very Good
#240 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 19% in state
Tensas Elementary School
Elementary School · Tensas Parish
Rt. 2 Box 306, St. Joseph, LA 71366
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In St. Joseph
#2 of 2
public schools
Louisiana elementary schools
#131 of 703
In district
#2 of 2
Tensas Parish
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Tensas Elementary School
Tensas Elementary School is a small public elementary school located in the rural community of St. Joseph, Louisiana, in Tensas Parish. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 184 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers.
Tensas Elementary School focuses on providing a nurturing environment for its young learners in a remote setting. The school's MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.7 out of 10, and it ranks #860 out of 1290 schools in Louisiana, placing it around the 33rd percentile statewide. Academically, students perform with room for growth, as indicated by a combined proficiency rate of 22% across all subjects and grades.
With a strong emphasis on individual attention, Tensas Elementary School aims to support each student's development and academic progress in its rural community setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 184 students, Tensas Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Tensas 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Tensas Elementary School — Students at Tensas Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 9.0/10.
How Tensas Elementary School Compares
See how Tensas Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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. MORGANTOWN ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Natchez), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Vidalia Upper Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Vidalia), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ferriday Lower Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Ferriday), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.8 |
| TENSAS ACADEMY Saint Joseph | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| A. W. WATSON ELEMENTARY Port Gibson | 15.3 mi | 5.7 |
| PORT GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Gibson | 15.3 mi | 4.4 |
| JEFFERSON CO HIGH Fayette | 17.4 mi | 8.0 |
| JEFFERSON CO ELEM SCHOOL Fayette | 18.2 mi | 3.8 |
| PORT GIBSON HIGH SCHOOL Port Gibson | 17.8 mi | 5.1 |
| MORGANTOWN ELEMENTARY Natchez | 24.6 mi | 8.3 |
| NATCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL Natchez | 26.2 mi | 5.2 |
| NATCHEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL Natchez | 26.3 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Natchez | 26.4 mi | — |
| Vidalia Lower Elementary School Vidalia | 26.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Vidalia Upper Elementary School Vidalia | 26.5 mi | 7.8 |
| MC LAURIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Natchez | 27.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Vidalia High School Vidalia | 26.7 mi | 3.3 |
| Vidalia Junior High School Vidalia | 27.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Ferriday Lower Elementary School Ferriday | 26.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Sicily Island High School Sicily Island | 24.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Ferriday High School Ferriday | 26.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Delta Charter School MST Ferriday | 26.3 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tensas Elementary School has a median household income of $46,806. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $103,300, with a median rent of $725/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Duson Elementary School Duson, LA | 7.8 |
| Egan Elementary School Egan, LA | 7.8 |
| Ringgold Elementary School Ringgold, LA | 7.8 |
| Alma Redwine Elementary Alexandria, LA | 7.7 |
| Clinton Elementary School Clinton, LA | 7.7 |
| Foundation Preparatory Academy New Orleans, LA | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #240 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Tensas Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Tensas Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Tensas Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tensas Elementary School has 30.3% math proficiency and 28.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (318) 766-3346
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.