The Louisiana Department of Education released 2025 school performance scores this week, accompanied—uniquely this year—by simulated letter grades under the tougher “Grow. Achieve. Thrive.” system set to take effect in 2026.
While many schools are projected to have lower letter grades next year, the results present a special challenge for the faculties one parish school and two city schools that are projected to be “F” schools next year unless there is significant growth this year.
Three schools
The three schools that are tooling up to prove the projections wrong are: Carroll High School, Carroll Jr. High, and Richwood High School. It’s a chance for Carroll and Richwood High to prove themselves, since both schools have new principals. Next year’s scores will be the first letter grades they see.
Richwood High School earned a “C” (67.5) this year, but this score would have been a “F” (25.3) under next year’s tougher standard.
Carroll High School earned a “B” (75.7) this year, but it would have been an “F” (22.7) under next year’s tougher standard
Carroll Jr. High earned an “F” (49.4) this year, but it would have been an “F” (24.6) under next year’s standard.
The state released the projected scores for parents and teachers to see a preview of how high-performing expectations next year.
See the letter grades for all schools in the parish
Core Findings
Overall, many schools maintained or improved their letter grade under the 2025 scale, but the simulated 2026 grades suggest that a significant number of schools will drop one grade level due to higher expectations.
The simulation uses higher standards for student growth, mastery, and readiness for post-graduation success. Some schools earning an “A” under the current system are projected to receive a “B” or “C” under the upcoming formula.
Why Simulated 2026 Scores will Drop for some
The simulated grades reflect higher expectations in key areas:
–Student mastery in English, math, science, social studies
–Year-over-year academic growth for all students, and especially struggling students
–Cohort graduation rates and readiness for college or career
Schools with high current marks but slow progress among at-risk students or lower mastery rates in core subjects see their simulated grades drop—even falling into “F” despite average or passing marks under the old system.
Not all are expected to drop
While many schools are expected to drop, several schools are actually expected to improve under the new system because of current trends showing movement toward “mastery” and “advanced.”
Among schools expected to improve under the new tougher standards are:
Crosley Elementary: D to C
Kiroli Elementary: B to A
Lenwil Elementary: D to C
Riverbend Element: D to C
Shady Grove Elementary: D to C
Barkdull Faulk Elementary: D to C
Clara Hall Elementary: D to C
Roy Shelling Elementary: F to C
Minnie Ruffin Elementary: D to C
Special Focus: Schools Facing an “F” Under 2026 Standards
For schools with simulated “F” grades, the new formula highlights areas needing urgent action. Performance scores reveal:
–Very low mastery rates in core subjects: Often below 20–30% in ELA or math
–Insufficient growth among the lowest quartile students
–Schools with Notable Improvements in 2025
Schools that showed gains this year
There were 33 Ouachita Parish and city schools that posted gains in their School Performance Scores (SPS) compared to 2024, a sign of positive momentum before new standards arrive. Schools showing improved performance, no matter how large or small, in 2025 include:
Jack Hayes Elementary School
Highland Elementary School
Lenwil Elementary School
Boley Elementary School
Ouachita Parish High School
Ouachita Junior High School
Pinecrest Elementary/Middle School
Riser Middle School
Shady Grove Elementary School
Swayze Elementary School
Woodlawn Elementary School
Woodlawn Middle School
West Ouachita High School
George Welch Elementary School
Richwood High School
West Ridge Middle School
Good Hope Middle School
Richwood Junior High School
Sterlington Middle School
East Ouachita Middle School
Carroll Junior High School
Carver Elementary School
Barkdull Faulk Elementary School
Clara Hall Accelerated School
Sallie Humble Elementary School
Martin Luther King Junior High School
Neville Junior High School
Lexington Elementary School
Roy Neal Shelling, Sr. Elementary
Wossman High School
Cypress Point Elementary School
Madison James Foster Elementary School
Thomas Jefferson Elementary
Sherrouse Alternative School was omitted from your list of schools that showed growth in MCS. Sherrouse earned 11.1 points (the most growth in the district) and it’s letter grade moved from an F to a D.