For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 5,429 students in St. John The Baptist Parish, LA (there are 5 private schools, serving 1,635 private students). 77% of all K-12 students in St.
John The Baptist Parish, LA are educated in public schools (compared to the LA state average of 85%).
The top-ranked public schools in St. John The Baptist Parish, LA are John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary School, Emily C. Watkins Elementary School and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
St. John The Baptist Parish, LA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Louisiana public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in St. John The Baptist Parish have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Louisiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Louisiana public school average of 59% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in St. John The Baptist Parish (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
182 West Fifth Street
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 651-3700
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 651-3700
Gr: K-8 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #22.
Emily C. Watkins Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
938 La Highway 628
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 652-1593
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 652-1593
Gr: PK-8 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #33.
Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3328 Hwy 51
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 652-2003
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 652-2003
Gr: PK-8 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #44.
East St. John High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
#1 Wildcat Drive
Reserve, LA 70084
(985) 536-4226
Reserve, LA 70084
(985) 536-4226
Gr: 9-12 | 1,293 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #55.
Laplace Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
393 Greenwood Drive
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 652-5552
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 652-5552
Gr: PK-8 | 710 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #66.
Garyville/mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet Schl.
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
240 Hwy 54
Garyville, LA 70051
(985) 535-5400
Garyville, LA 70051
(985) 535-5400
Gr: PK-8 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
West St. John Elementary School (K-7)
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2555 La Hwy. 18
Edgard, LA 70049
(985) 497-3347
Edgard, LA 70049
(985) 497-3347
Gr: PK-7 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #88.
Fifth Ward Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
158 Panther Drive
Reserve, LA 70084
(985) 536-4221
Reserve, LA 70084
(985) 536-4221
Gr: PK-4 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #99.
West St. John High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
480 La Hwy 3127
Edgard, LA 70049
(985) 497-3271
Edgard, LA 70049
(985) 497-3271
Gr: 8-12 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #1010.
East St. John Preparatory Academy
(Math: 8% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
400 Ory Drive
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 536-8450
La Place, LA 70068
(985) 536-8450
Gr: 5-8 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in St. John The Baptist Parish, LA?
The top-ranked public schools in St. John The Baptist Parish, LA include John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary School, Emily C. Watkins Elementary School and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in St. John The Baptist Parish?
10 public schools are located in St. John The Baptist Parish.
What percentage of students in St. John The Baptist Parish go to public school?
77% of all K-12 students in St. John The Baptist Parish are educated in public schools (compared to the LA state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in St. John The Baptist Parish?
St. John The Baptist Parish public schools minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Louisiana public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in St. John The Baptist Parish are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in St. John The Baptist Parish include: Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School vs. Laplace Elementary School, John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary School vs. Laplace Elementary School, Garyville/mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet Schl. vs. Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
