Very Good
#392 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 30% in state
Union Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Caldwell Parish
P.O. Box 1439, Columbia, LA 71418
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
4th – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#2 of 4
public schools
Louisiana elementary schools
#220 of 703
In district
#2 of 5
Caldwell Parish
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Union Central Elementary School
Union Central Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural area of Columbia, Louisiana. Serving students in grades four and five, Union Central has an enrollment of 224 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. The school employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers to support its educational programs.
Academically, Union Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 51st percentile among Louisiana schools, ranking at #629 out of 1290. The academic score is 3.4/10, with 23% of students achieving proficiency or above across all subjects on average. In specific subject areas, 32% are proficient in both ELA and Math.
While the school has room for improvement in terms of test performance, it offers a supportive environment with dedicated teachers who work closely with each student to foster growth and development. Union Central Elementary School is situated in a rural setting where close-knit community ties contribute to its unique character.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Union Central Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Union Central 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
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Union Central Elementary School — Students at Union Central Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 8.1/10.
How Union Central Elementary School Compares
See how Union Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
P.O. Box 1439, Columbia, LA 71418
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Union Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Winnsboro Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Winnsboro), with a very similar rating. Another option is Madison James Foster Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pinecrest Elementary/Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby West Monroe), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Caldwell Parish High School Columbia | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Caldwell Parish Junior High School Columbia | 1.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Columbia Elementary School Columbia | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Grayson Elementary School Grayson | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| OLD BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clarks | 7.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Olla-Standard Elementary School Olla | 14.6 mi | 4.8 |
| LaSalle High School Olla | 15.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Fort Necessity School Fort Necessity | 15.6 mi | 3.5 |
| LaSalle Junior High School Urania | 19.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Pinecrest Elementary/Middle School West Monroe | 20.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Richwood High School Monroe | 24.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Richwood Junior High School Monroe | 24.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Franklin Parish High School Winnsboro | 21.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Woodlawn Elementary School West Monroe | 24.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Woodlawn Middle School West Monroe | 24.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Winnsboro Elementary School Winnsboro | 21.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Madison James Foster Elementary School Monroe | 25.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Mangham High School Mangham | 23.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Mangham Junior High School Mangham | 23.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Mangham Elementary School Mangham | 23.7 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 71418 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$31,975
Median Home Value
$89,700
Median Rent
$696/mo
Population
5,351
College Educated
8.8%
Homeownership
66.4%
Poverty Rate
32.4%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Union Central Elementary School has a median household income of $31,975. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $89,700, with a median rent of $696/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.4%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary School Bogalusa, LA | 7.1 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Moreauville, LA | 7.1 |
| Swayze Elementary School Monroe, LA | 7.1 |
| CSAL Elementary Baton Rouge, LA | 7.0 |
| JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL Monroe, LA | 7.0 |
| Madison James Foster Elementary School Monroe, LA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Union Central Elementary School
What grades does Union Central Elementary School serve?
Union Central Elementary School serves students in grades 4th through 5th.
How many students attend Union Central Elementary School?
Union Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 224 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Union Central Elementary School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Union Central Elementary School rank in LA?
Union Central Elementary School is ranked #392 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Union Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Union Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Central Elementary School has 29.8% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Union Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Union Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Union Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Union Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Central Elementary School?
70.1% of students at Union Central 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 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 5th
- Enrollment
- 224
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Caldwell Parish
- Phone
- (318) 649-2569
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caldwell Parish- District Enrollment
- 1,427
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,637
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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.
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