The Louisiana Department of Education released school and district performance scores for the state’s K-12 public schools on November 13. These results are evidence of the recovery and resilience of St. Charles Parish Public Schools following the major disruptions brought about by COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida. 

Overall, St. Charles Parish Public Schools (SCPPS) has emerged from these twin disasters stronger academically than it was before. SCPPS’s district performance score increased from 85.6 in 2018-2019 (the last full school year before COVID-19) to 87.0 in 2022-2023, an increase of 1.4 points. The district’s individual schools also showed improvement over this time period. In 2018-2019, the district had 13 “B” schools and two “C” schools. With this year’s release, the district now has two “A” schools, 11 “B” schools, and two “C” schools.

SCPPS’s academic growth during this time period was driven especially by gains at its two high schools, Destrehan High School and Hahnville High School – both of which are now rated as “A” schools. The school system’s cohort graduation rate increased significantly during that time period, with a higher number of students graduating from high school within four years. Additionally, SCPPS’s strength of diploma index increased, meaning more students are graduating with college credits earned through Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses or graduating with industry-based certifications acquired through career and technical education courses. 

“This accomplishment is evidence of the school system’s commitment to providing enriching educational opportunities for our students,” commented Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling. “By earning college credits and industry-based certifications while still in high school, students are graduating future-ready with a solid foundation and a financial advantage. In fact, the Class of 2023 saved more than $2 million in tuition alone from credits earned through Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).”

Each year, the Louisiana Department of Education releases school and district performance scores, as required by federal law and the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). However, Louisiana’s school accountability system, as directed by BESE’s policy, will transition to a more rigorous grading scale moving forward. Performance scores to be released next year in the fall of 2024 (representing data from the 2023-2024 school year) will adhere to a new, more rigorous scale. The standard to attain specific letter grades will continue to increase in the future, resulting in a moving target that makes it more difficult to earn higher letter grades. For example, whereas a performance score of a 90 would earn an “A” according to the scale used previously and this year, the exact same score will be deemed a “B” next year according to the “new” scale.