Central Schools Climb to No. 3 in State

The Louisiana Department of Education has awarded the Central Community School System an A rating for the third straight year.

Central earned a District Performance Score of 108.2, making it the third highest rank among Louisiana’s 69 school systems.

But in the fine print of the DOE rankings were many achievements of the Central school system:

• At Central Intermediate School, 88 percent of the students scored basic or above — the highest percentage in the state.

• Central High School ranked No. 1 in the state for the percentage of students – 83 percent – scoring Good or Excellent on all End-of-Course tests.

• The school also saw increases in its ACT scores — up to 21.3, which is above the national average.  This is particularly significant because at Central High, every student takes the ACT.  In many states and districts, it is optional.  So only college bound take the tests in those places.

• As a district, Central had the highest percentage of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who scored basic or above when compared to all other school systems in the state.

• Central schools improved the academic growth of students tested.  This translated into a higher school performance score for the district.

Central schools Supt. Mike Faulk  thanked teachers, administrators, parents, and students for their outstanding performance.

“We are very pleased with our continued growth and ability to push toward greater levels of excellence.  We saw significant improvements across the board, at every grade level,” Faulk said.  Nevertheless, Faulk said the system will continue to make improvements.

“Our district’s unwavering success in this fluctuating environment is testament to your commitment to excellence,” he said.

Faulk said all of Central’s five public schools saw improvements, which contributed to the district’s higher overall score.

Central Intermediate School maintained an A rating and raised its score from 101.0 to 106.

Central Middle School maintained its A rating.  It improved its score from 104.9 to 105.6.

Central High School earned a B+ with a score of 97.37, increasing from 94.9 last year.

Faulk said that Central’s state scores have improved every year since it was allowed to compete with other districts in 2009.