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Needs Improvement

#1214 of 1,288 schools in LA

Walter L. Cohen High School

High School · Walter L. Cohen High School

3575 Baronne St., New Orleans, LA 70115

Charter

Enrollment

406

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#1,214 of 1,288

In New Orleans

#55 of 75

public schools

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Walter L. Cohen High School

3.7/10

High School in New Orleans · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Young Audiences at Crocker Elementary

7.5/10

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

Sophie B. Wright Institute of Academic Excellence

2.4/10

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

About Walter L. Cohen High School

Walter L. Cohen High School is a public high school in New Orleans, LA, part of Walter L. Cohen High School.

Walter L. Cohen High School serves approximately 406 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Walter L.

Cohen High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,214 of 1,288 schools in LA. Structured state assessment records for Walter L. Cohen High School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts below LA schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • LA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Walter L. Cohen High School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

35% of students at Walter L. Cohen 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 Progress1.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-8.82 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected-12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness2.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,494
Chronic Absenteeism35.2%

Walter L. Cohen High School — Students at Walter L. Cohen High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.8% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
36.1% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 37.5% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
44.4% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 14 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
22%
ELA
25%

* 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: 1.1/10.

How Walter L. Cohen High School Compares

See how Walter L. Cohen High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in LA
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
1.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.2%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

3575 Baronne St., New Orleans, LA 70115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walter L. Cohen High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST KATHARINE DREXEL PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Opportunities Academy (rated 5.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Orleans, see our New Orleans schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Young Audiences at Crocker Elementary New Orleans 0.4 mi 7.5
Sophie B. Wright Institute of Academic Excellence New Orleans 0.6 mi 2.4
KIPP Central City New Orleans 0.7 mi 3.4
ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART New Orleans 0.6 mi 7.6
ST STEPHEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Orleans 0.7 mi 6.3
ECOLE BILINGUE DE LA NOUVELLE ORLEANS New Orleans 0.8 mi 8.7
ST GEORGES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL New Orleans 0.7 mi 9.1
Samuel J. Green Charter School New Orleans 0.7 mi 3.6
LOUISE S MCGEHEE SCHOOL New Orleans 0.8 mi 8.4
MCMILLIAN'S FIRST STEPS CDC / ACADEMY New Orleans 0.9 mi 6.8
TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL New Orleans 1.0 mi 8.0
The NET Charter High School New Orleans 1.1 mi 4.2
DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL New Orleans 1.1 mi 7.1
Wilson Charter School New Orleans 1.2 mi 4.5
Opportunities Academy New Orleans 1.2 mi 5.7
ReNEW Laurel Elementary New Orleans 1.1 mi 6.3
ST KATHARINE DREXEL PREPARATORY SCHOOL New Orleans 1.2 mi 6.4
ST ALPHONSUS SCHOOL New Orleans 1.2 mi 5.2
Booker T. Washington High School New Orleans 1.4 mi 4.0
The Willow School New Orleans 1.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 70115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,181

Median Home Value

$616,600

Median Rent

$1,442/mo

Population

31,737

College Educated

63.9%

Homeownership

54.9%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

39.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Pathways in Education-Louisiana Inc. Shreveport, LA 3.6
Baker High School Baker, LA 3.9
Collegiate Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA 3.9
New Harmony High Institute New Orleans, LA 3.4
Sarah Towles Reed High School New Orleans, LA 4.1
The NET Charter High School New Orleans, LA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walter L. Cohen High School

What grades does Walter L. Cohen High School serve?

Walter L. Cohen High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Walter L. Cohen High School?

Walter L. Cohen High School has an enrollment of approximately 406 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter L. Cohen High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Walter L. Cohen High School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walter L. Cohen High School rank in LA?

Walter L. Cohen High School ranks #1,214 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Walter L. Cohen High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walter L. Cohen High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Walter L. Cohen High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Walter L. Cohen High School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

Is Walter L. Cohen High School a charter school?

Yes, Walter L. Cohen High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Walter L. Cohen High School a Title I school?

No, Walter L. Cohen High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter L. Cohen High School?

73.4% of students at Walter L. Cohen 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
89 Very Walkable
Transit Score
56 Good Transit
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orleans Parish
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.2%

District

Walter L. Cohen High School
District Enrollment
406
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,494
District Rank
#1 of 1

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