Louisiana is the #28 largest school system in the United States, serving 666,168 students across the 1,309 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 403 private schools, serving 122,447 students). 84% of all K-12 students in Louisiana attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Louisiana is 35%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 43%.
The top-ranked public schools in Louisiana are Benjamin Franklin High School, Haynes Academy School For Advanced Studies, and Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 59%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Louisiana (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Benjamin Franklin High School
Charter School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2001 Leon C Simon Drive
New Orleans, LA 70122
(504) 286-2600
New Orleans, LA 70122
(504) 286-2600
Rank: #22.
Haynes Academy School For Advanced Studies
Magnet School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
4301 Grace King Place
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 837-8300
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 837-8300
Rank: #33.
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
701 Churchill Pkwy
Westwego, LA 70094
(504) 838-2249
Westwego, LA 70094
(504) 838-2249
Rank: #44.
Metairie Academy For Advanced Studies
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
201 Metairie Road
Metairie, LA 70005
(504) 833-5539
Metairie, LA 70005
(504) 833-5539
Rank: #55.
Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
7635 Cornelious Drive
Shreveport, LA 71106
(318) 868-6588
Shreveport, LA 71106
(318) 868-6588
Rank: #66.
South Highlands Elementary Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
831 Erie Street
Shreveport, LA 71106
(318) 865-5119
Shreveport, LA 71106
(318) 865-5119
Rank: #77.
Gretna No. 2 Academy For Advanced Studies
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
701 Amelia Street
Gretna, LA 70053
(504) 366-3582
Gretna, LA 70053
(504) 366-3582
Rank: #88.
T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
2711 Common Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4680
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4680
Rank: #99.
Caddo Parish Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 5%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1601 Viking Drive
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 221-2501
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 221-2501
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Airline Park Academy For Advanced Studies
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
6201 Camphor Street
Metairie, LA 70003
(504) 888-0969
Metairie, LA 70003
(504) 888-0969
Overview
This State (LA)
US
# Schools
1,309 Schools
100,418 Schools
# Students
666,168 Students
49,312,051 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
48,618 Teachers
3,179,482 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (LA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
43%
Graduation Rate
83%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
61%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.71
# American Indian Students
3,713 Students
466,017 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
10,618 Students
2,806,956 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
# Hispanic Students
76,741 Students
14,946,038 Students
% Hispanic Students
11%
30%
# Black Students
277,247 Students
7,271,060 Students
% Black Students
42%
15%
# White Students
271,581 Students
21,001,239 Students
% White Students
41%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
490 Students
196,946 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
25,857 Students
2,587,800 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (LA)
Total Revenue
$10,755 MM
Spending
$10,286 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,144
Spending / Student
$15,440
Best Louisiana Public Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Louisiana?
The top-ranked public schools in Louisiana include Benjamin Franklin High School, Haynes Academy School For Advanced Studies, and Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy.
How many public schools are located in Louisiana?
1,309 public schools are located in Louisiana.
What percentage of students in Louisiana go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Louisiana attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Louisiana?
Minority enrollment in Louisiana is 59%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Louisiana are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Louisiana include: Larose-cut Off Middle School vs. Sixth Ward Middle School, Hahnville High School vs. Destrehan High School, L.w. Higgins High School vs. John Ehret High School
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