Very Good
#239 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 19% in state
Tensas High School
High School · Tensas Parish
Rt. 2 Box 408, St. Joseph, LA 71366
Enrollment
157
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
157
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In St. Joseph
#1 of 2
public schools
Louisiana high schools
#20 of 263
In district
#1 of 2
Tensas Parish
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Tensas High School
Tensas High School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of St. Joseph, Louisiana, in Tensas Parish. The school serves students from sixth grade through twelfth grade, making it both a middle and high school with an enrollment of 157 students.
With a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, Tensas High School offers individual attention to its students. There are 15 full-time equivalent teachers at the school. Tensas High School's academic performance is currently rated 3.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranked #1075 out of 1290 schools in Louisiana, placing it around the 17th percentile statewide.
The combined proficiency rate for all subjects across grades is 10%, with 27% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 11% proficient or above in Math. While Tensas High School has room for academic growth, its setting provides a close-knit community where students are supported by their teachers and neighbors. The school is deeply embedded within the rural landscape of St.
Joseph, offering a unique environment that fosters personal connections and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 157 students, Tensas High 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 High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Tensas High School — Students at Tensas High School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 22 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: 8.6/10.
How Tensas High School Compares
See how Tensas High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 23% (2025).
Location
Rt. 2 Box 408, St. Joseph, LA 71366
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tensas High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. JEFFERSON CO HIGH (rated 8.0/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Fayette), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ferriday High School (rated 6.1/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Ferriday), a more accessible option. Additionally, NATCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 26.7 miles away, in nearby Natchez), a more accessible option. For more schools in St. Joseph, see our St. Joseph schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tensas Elementary School St. Joseph | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| TENSAS ACADEMY Saint Joseph | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| A. W. WATSON ELEMENTARY Port Gibson | 14.8 mi | 5.7 |
| PORT GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Gibson | 14.8 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 | 17.3 mi | 5.1 |
| MORGANTOWN ELEMENTARY Natchez | 25.0 mi | 8.3 |
| NATCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL Natchez | 26.7 mi | 5.2 |
| NATCHEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL Natchez | 26.8 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Natchez | 26.9 mi | — |
| Vidalia Lower Elementary School Vidalia | 26.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Vidalia Upper Elementary School Vidalia | 27.0 mi | 7.8 |
| MC LAURIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Natchez | 27.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Vidalia High School Vidalia | 27.2 mi | 3.3 |
| Vidalia Junior High School Vidalia | 27.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Ferriday Lower Elementary School Ferriday | 26.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Sicily Island High School Sicily Island | 25.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Ferriday High School Ferriday | 27.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Delta Charter School MST Ferriday | 26.9 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Living School New Orleans, LA | 7.7 |
| ST JOHN INTERPAROCHIAL SCHOOL Plaquemine, LA | 8.0 |
| CRISTO REY BATON ROUGE FRANCISCAN HIGH SCHOOL Baton Rouge, LA | 8.2 |
| Jefferson Virtual High School Jefferson, LA | 7.4 |
| Caddo Virtual Academy Shreveport, LA | 7.2 |
| Thrive Academy Baton Rouge, LA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tensas High School
What grades does Tensas High School serve?
Tensas High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Tensas High School?
Tensas High School has an enrollment of approximately 157 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tensas High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Tensas High School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tensas High School rank in LA?
Tensas High School is ranked #239 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Tensas High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Tensas High 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tensas High School has 12.7% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tensas High School a charter school?
No, Tensas High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tensas High School a Title I school?
No, Tensas High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tensas High School?
86.6% of students at Tensas 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 157
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Tensas Parish
- Phone
- (318) 766-3585
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tensas Parish- District Enrollment
- 341
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,098
- District Rank
- #1 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.