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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lake Charles Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 18,558 students in Lake Charles, LA (there are 11 private schools, serving 3,039 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Lake Charles, LA are educated in public schools (compared to the LA state average of 85%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lake Charles, LA are T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School, Prien Lake Elementary School and Grand Lake High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake Charles, LA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Louisiana public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Lake Charles have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Louisiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Louisiana public school average of 59% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Lake Charles, LA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2711 Common Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4680
Gr: K-5 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Prien Lake Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3741 Nelson Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4910
Gr: PK-5 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #33.
Grand Lake High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1039 Hwy 384 Grand Lake
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 905-2231
Gr: 7-12 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Lebleu Settlement Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6509 Hwy 3059
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 217-4880
Gr: PK-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
A. A. Nelson Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1001 Country Club Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4790
Gr: PK-5 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #66.
Dolby Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
817 Jefferson Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4730
Gr: PK-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #77.
Alfred M. Barbe High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2200 West Mcneese
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4460
Gr: 9-12 | 1,908 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #88.
Sam Houston High School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
880 S H Jones Parkway
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4480
Gr: 9-12 | 1,141 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #99.
Moss Bluff Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
215 School Street
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4640
Gr: PK-5 | 969 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1010.
Grand Lake Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1039 Hwy 384
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 905-2231
Gr: PK-6 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1111.
Moss Bluff Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1104 Recreation Blvd
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4570
Gr: 6-8 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1212.
S. J. Welsh Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1500 W Mcneese
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4410
Gr: 6-8 | 1,011 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1313.
St. John Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5566 Elliott Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4870
Gr: PK-5 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1414.
F. K. White Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1000 E Mcneese
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4810
Gr: 6-8 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1515.
Gillis Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
916 Topsy Road
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4550
Gr: PK-5 | 650 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Lake Charles College Prep
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2801 Power Centre Pkwy
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 419-2868
Gr: 9-12 | 624 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
M. J. Kaufman Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Tekel Road
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4740
Gr: PK-5 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1818.
Lake Charles Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3160 Power Center Parkway
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 475-7900
Gr: PK-8 | 951 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1919.
T. H. Watkins Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2501 Seventh Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4590
Gr: K-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Combre-fondel Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2115 Fitzenrieter Rd.
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4890
Gr: K-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Henry Heights Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3600 Louisiana Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4620
Gr: PK-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2222.
Brentwood Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3825 Brentwood Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4610
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Lagrange High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3420 Louisiana Ave
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4960
Gr: 9-12 | 881 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2001 18th Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4850
Gr: PK-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2525.
College Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3618 Ernest Street
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4560
Gr: PK-5 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2626.
Barbe Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Penn Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4600
Gr: PK-5 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2727.
Oak Park Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2200 Oak Park Blvd
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4830
Gr: 6-8 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2828.
Ray D. Molo Middle Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2300 Medora
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(318) 217-4710
Gr: 6-8 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2929.
Washington/marion Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2802 Pineview Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4540
Gr: 9-12 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3030.
Pearl Watson Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 5th Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4860
Gr: PK-5 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3131.
Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 East Mcneese Street
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 475-7910
Gr: PK-8 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3232.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3955 Gerstner Mem. Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4490
Gr: PK-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #3333.
John J. Johnson Ii Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Malcolm Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4900
Gr: PK-2 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3434.
Ralph F. Wilson Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Opelousas Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4750
Gr: 3-5 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lake Charles, LA?
The top-ranked public schools in Lake Charles, LA include T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School, Prien Lake Elementary School and Grand Lake High School.
How many public schools are located in Lake Charles?
34 public schools are located in Lake Charles.
What percentage of students in Lake Charles go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Lake Charles are educated in public schools (compared to the LA state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles public schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Louisiana public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Lake Charles are often viewed compared to one another?

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