Photo: TheLionHasSeen · CC BY-SA 4.0Lafayette’s public schools outscore 84% of Louisiana districts
On the state math tests, 44% of Lafayette’s students scored proficient, above the Louisiana average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lafayette, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Louisiana, not nationally.
From Louisiana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lafayette’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 183 Louisiana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lafayette’s, its schools beat 74%, lower than their 84% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 49% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 42% and 32% statewide; 86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,043 per student, against $15,623 across Louisiana (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then five middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy, Willow Charter Academy, JCFA Lafayette, Lafayette Christian Academy (private), St. Thomas More Catholic High School (private), Our Lady of Fatima School (private), Teurlings Catholic High School (private), Cathedral-Carmel School (private), Ascension Episcopal School (private), Episcopal School of Acadiana (private), Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School (private), Holy Family Catholic School (private) and Gethsemane Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Lafayette’s grade
A−: better than 84% of Louisiana school districts, #26 of 162 Louisiana towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Louisiana average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lafayette, with each school’s own grade.
Lafayette’s public schools are run by Lafayette Parish School District, which also serves Broussard, Carencro, Duson and Scott and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Lafayette vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Louisiana towns that share Lafayette’s borders.
Every school in Lafayette
37 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Louisiana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (W. D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center).
Questions about Lafayette’s schools
Are Lafayette’s schools good?
By Louisiana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lafayette children attend outscore 84% of Louisiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #26 of 162 Louisiana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lafayette in?
Lafayette Parish School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 29,396 students in 44 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lafayette kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Lafayette High School, O. Comeaux High School, Northside High School and Early College Academy.
What is Lafayette’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Lafayette Parish School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Louisiana.
How much does Lafayette spend per student?
$14,043 in Lafayette Parish School District (FY2024), against $15,623 across Louisiana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lafayette?
Yes: Lafayette Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 1,026 students), St. Thomas More Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,018 students), Our Lady of Fatima School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 899 students), Teurlings Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 874 students), Cathedral-Carmel School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 795 students), Ascension Episcopal School (religious, grades PK–12, 609 students), Episcopal School of Acadiana (religious, grades PK–12, 528 students), Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 514 students), Holy Family Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 300 students) and Gethsemane Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–4, 35 students). Lafayette also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lafayette families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lafayette → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Louisiana. Stars are from neighbors.