The Latest LEAP Scores: New Schools for Baton Rouge vs. EBR Schools Open Enrollment

Louisiana’s recently released 2024 LEAP scores show that charter schools supported by New Schools for Baton Rouge outperformed the East Baton Rouge district’s open enrollment schools in both absolute performance and rate of improvement.

LEAP tests measure students’ proficiency in English/language, mathematics, and science. Scores are categorized as failing, approaching basic, basic, mastery, or advanced.

When it comes to K-8 school performance, 24% of students attending NSBR portfolio schools scored at proficient or above, compared to 22% of students attending East Baton Rouge district-run open enrollment schools. NSBR portfolio schools saw an average growth rate of 4.5 points and East Baton Rouge district-run open enrollment schools saw an average growth rate of 2.9 points.

For grades 9-12, 18% of students attending NSBR portfolio schools scored at proficiency or above, compared to 10% of students attending East Baton Rouge district-run open enrollment schools. NSBR portfolio schools saw an average growth of 4.6 points, and East Baton Rouge district-run open enrollment schools remained stagnant.

There are 21 schools in the NSBR portfolio. View the full list here.

“While we are excited about the success and progress of the latest scores, there is still much work to be done,” the NSBR statement said.

In East Baton Rouge Parish, 71% of students still score below proficient level, 39% of third graders score below basic level in English, and 63% of eighth graders score below basic level in math.

While student achievement has largely stagnated across Louisiana, a new analysis of the Council for a Better Louisiana points out that performance in the state has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels.

That recovery comes at a time when national research suggests students elsewhere in the country are falling further behind as a result of the pandemic, The Washington Post reports.

“The (LEAP score) data does not show the regression seen in the national survey conducted by the Afteraccording to a statement from CABL.

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