Average

#978 of 1,288 schools in LA

Union Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Caldwell Parish

P.O. Box 1439, Columbia, LA 71418

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

224

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

4th – 5th

Enrollment

224

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

4th – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#978 of 1,288

In Columbia

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Caldwell Parish

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Columbia · grades 4th – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Union Central Elementary School

Union Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Columbia, LA, part of Caldwell Parish. Union Central Elementary School serves approximately 224 students, and covers grades 4th-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Union Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #978 of 1,288 schools in LA.

Structured state assessment records for Union Central Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district

5.1

This school 5.1 · Average
District avg 6.1
LA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Union Central 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 Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data15

Annual Change-3.17 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2025

TrendDeclining

Academics5.0Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency26.5% (2025 LEAP)

Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2025 LEAP)

Math vs. State Avg-14.2 pts

Reading vs. State Avg-13 pts

Overall Proficiency28% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)

vs. Expected-9.8 pts

Adjusted Percentile32th

Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1

Per-Pupil Spending$17,637

Chronic Absenteeism17%

Union Central Elementary School — Students at Union Central Elementary School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

35.9% (2025 LEAP)

ELA Proficiency 53.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

43.0% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 36 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

62%

ELA

67%

2010

Math

57%

ELA

67%

2011

Math

62%

ELA

72%

2012

Math

62%

ELA

87%

2013

Math

67%

ELA

77%

2014

Math

47%

ELA

77%

2015

Math

67%

ELA

62%

2016

Math

52%

ELA

57%

2017

Math

62%

ELA

52%

2018

Math

52%

ELA

52%

2019

Math

52%

ELA

52%

2020*

Math

22%

ELA

22%

2021*

Math

22%

ELA

22%

2022

Math

22%

ELA

22%

2025

Math

26.5%

ELA

30%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Union Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score

5.1/10

24th percentile in LA

Academic

5.0/10

Average

Growth

3.4/10

Needs Improvement

Environment

9.4/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

70%

Teaching Staff

12:1 student-teacher ratio

18 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

17.0%

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. Columbia Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pinecrest Elementary/Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby West Monroe), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fort Necessity School (rated 6.5/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Fort Necessity), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.7 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Caldwell Parish High School Columbia	1.5 mi	425	6.6
Caldwell Parish Junior High School Columbia	1.6 mi	331	7.9
Columbia Elementary School Columbia	1.9 mi	213	7.1
Grayson Elementary School Grayson	2.5 mi	234	6.1
OLD BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clarks	7.4 mi	77	5.1
Olla-Standard Elementary School Olla	14.6 mi	414	5.2
LaSalle High School Olla	15.6 mi	220	8.5
Fort Necessity School Fort Necessity	15.6 mi	305	6.5
LaSalle Junior High School Urania	19.0 mi	150	7.9
Pinecrest Elementary/Middle School West Monroe	20.4 mi	179	7.0
Richwood High School Monroe	24.6 mi	472	5.5
Richwood Junior High School Monroe	24.8 mi	347	6.2
Franklin Parish High School Winnsboro	21.3 mi	756	6.0
Woodlawn Elementary School West Monroe	24.5 mi	543	5.3
Woodlawn Middle School West Monroe	24.6 mi	273	7.1
Winnsboro Elementary School Winnsboro	21.8 mi	444	3.5
Madison James Foster Elementary School Monroe	25.5 mi	312	3.8
Mangham High School Mangham	23.6 mi	305	6.0
Mangham Junior High School Mangham	23.6 mi	199	5.0
Mangham Elementary School Mangham	23.7 mi	437	5.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Central Rayne Kindergarten School Rayne, LA	188	5.0
Grand Coteau Elementary School Grand Coteau, LA	264	5.0
Labadieville Primary School Labadieville, LA	275	5.0
ST LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL New Orleans, LA	217	5.0
Sugarland Elementary School New Iberia, LA	269	5.0
Northeast Elementary School Pride, LA	213	5.2

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 ranks #978 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Union Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Union Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union Central Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.