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Very Good

#313 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 24% 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

7.6

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#313 of 1,288

In St. Joseph

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Tensas Parish

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Tensas High School

7.6/10

High School in St. Joseph · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tensas Elementary School

5.8/10

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

Tensas Academy

8.4/10

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

About Tensas High School

Tensas High School is a public high school in St. Joseph, LA, part of Tensas Parish. Tensas High School serves approximately 157 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio.

Tensas High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #313 of 1,288 schools in LA. Structured state assessment records for Tensas High School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts above LA schools
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • LA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 157 students, Tensas High 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 High 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.

40% of students at Tensas 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 Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,098
Chronic Absenteeism40.1%

Tensas High School — Students at Tensas High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 24.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.9% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 38.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.4% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 44 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
42%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
14.3%
ELA
21.3%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Tensas High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
76th percentile in LA
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Sports
3
2 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics3sports offered
2 boys'·1 girls'·5 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. PORT GIBSON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Port Gibson), a more accessible option. Another option is JEFFERSON CO HIGH (rated 6.4/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Fayette), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ferriday High School (rated 6.2/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Ferriday), 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 5.8
TENSAS ACADEMY Saint Joseph 0.7 mi 8.4
A. W. WATSON ELEMENTARY Port Gibson 14.8 mi 3.7
PORT GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Gibson 14.8 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 17.3 mi 6.5
MORGANTOWN ELEMENTARY Natchez 25.0 mi 6.2
NATCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL Natchez 26.7 mi 5.2
NATCHEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL Natchez 26.8 mi 5.1
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Natchez 26.9 mi
Vidalia Lower Elementary School Vidalia 26.7 mi 5.7
Vidalia Upper Elementary School Vidalia 27.0 mi 6.3
MC LAURIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Natchez 27.6 mi 6.0
Vidalia High School Vidalia 27.2 mi 4.9
Vidalia Junior High School Vidalia 27.5 mi 6.8
Ferriday Lower Elementary School Ferriday 26.7 mi 7.1
Sicily Island High School Sicily Island 25.1 mi 4.4
Ferriday High School Ferriday 27.0 mi 6.2
Delta Charter School MST Ferriday 26.9 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
Oberlin High School Oberlin, LA 7.6
Gueydan High School Gueydan, LA 8.0
ST JOHN INTERPAROCHIAL SCHOOL Plaquemine, LA 8.0
CRISTO REY BATON ROUGE FRANCISCAN HIGH SCHOOL Baton Rouge, LA 8.2
HANSON MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Franklin, LA 6.8
CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morgan City, LA 6.4

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 ranks #313 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Tensas High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tensas High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tensas High School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.1%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

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

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