LEAP scores show Calcasieu one of the top-growing academic districts in the state
The Calcasieu Parish School Board is one of the top-growing academic districts in the state, according to the Louisiana Department of Education's newest batch of LEAP test score data.
The department released its annual Louisiana Educational Assessment Program test scores for the 2024-25 school year last week. Results were mixed statewide with young students showing a slight improvement in scores but high school-aged students experiencing a decline.
Statewide, the number of third- through eighth-graders scoring overall mastery and above (Mastery+) improved by one percentage point to 35 percent.
Thirty-five percent of high school students also scored mastery or above, but this is one percentage point lower than the 2023-24 school year.
In Calcasieu Parish, the overall Mastery+ percentage for grades third through eighth — which includes ELA, math and science — improved by one percentage point. For grades third through 12th, 40 percent scored Mastery+, which is two points higher than last year.
The top-growing schools in Calcasieu Parish were R.W. Vincent Elementary, Vinton High School and DeQuincy Middle School.
These scores are a sign of the 'work and commitment' of CPSB students, teachers and staff, said Superintendent Jason VanMetre in a news release.
'Our students are succeeding because our teachers and staff are passionate about their profession and the success of students,' he said. 'We take pride in celebrating our schools, and today is a day of celebration for all of our people. We're grateful to have this data as we prepare for the year ahead and work toward an even higher performance in the 2025-2026 school year.'
Statewide growth varied by subject.
While ELA scores dipped in several grades, the percentage for Mastery+ stayed the same. Fourth grade improved by two percentage points and sixth by one percentage point, while third, fifth, seventh and eighth grades decreased.
Overall, Louisiana students earning Mastery+ in math increased by two percentage points. The only grade level that decreased was fifth grade.
Science scores increased overall, with only the third grade scores decreasing.
Statewide high school scores decreased by one percentage point.
For third through 12th grade, 25 school districts improved, 26 maintained and 18 declined.
Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a news release that 'while today's results show continued movement in the right direction, they also underscore the challenges ahead.'
'We must accelerate efforts to support educators, raise expectations for students, and maintain our laser focus on academic achievement.'
The 2025-26 school year LEAP data will be calculated by the LDOE's revised system, 'Grow. Achieve. Thrive.'
These standards are designed to 'be a catalyst for academic growth,' Brumley said.
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American Press
07-07-2025
- American Press
LEAP scores show Calcasieu one of the top-growing academic districts in the state
(American Press Archives) The Calcasieu Parish School Board is one of the top-growing academic districts in the state, according to the Louisiana Department of Education's newest batch of LEAP test score data. The department released its annual Louisiana Educational Assessment Program test scores for the 2024-25 school year last week. Results were mixed statewide with young students showing a slight improvement in scores but high school-aged students experiencing a decline. Statewide, the number of third- through eighth-graders scoring overall mastery and above (Mastery+) improved by one percentage point to 35 percent. Thirty-five percent of high school students also scored mastery or above, but this is one percentage point lower than the 2023-24 school year. In Calcasieu Parish, the overall Mastery+ percentage for grades third through eighth — which includes ELA, math and science — improved by one percentage point. For grades third through 12th, 40 percent scored Mastery+, which is two points higher than last year. The top-growing schools in Calcasieu Parish were R.W. Vincent Elementary, Vinton High School and DeQuincy Middle School. These scores are a sign of the 'work and commitment' of CPSB students, teachers and staff, said Superintendent Jason VanMetre in a news release. 'Our students are succeeding because our teachers and staff are passionate about their profession and the success of students,' he said. 'We take pride in celebrating our schools, and today is a day of celebration for all of our people. We're grateful to have this data as we prepare for the year ahead and work toward an even higher performance in the 2025-2026 school year.' Statewide growth varied by subject. While ELA scores dipped in several grades, the percentage for Mastery+ stayed the same. Fourth grade improved by two percentage points and sixth by one percentage point, while third, fifth, seventh and eighth grades decreased. Overall, Louisiana students earning Mastery+ in math increased by two percentage points. The only grade level that decreased was fifth grade. Science scores increased overall, with only the third grade scores decreasing. Statewide high school scores decreased by one percentage point. For third through 12th grade, 25 school districts improved, 26 maintained and 18 declined. Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a news release that 'while today's results show continued movement in the right direction, they also underscore the challenges ahead.' 'We must accelerate efforts to support educators, raise expectations for students, and maintain our laser focus on academic achievement.' The 2025-26 school year LEAP data will be calculated by the LDOE's revised system, 'Grow. Achieve. Thrive.' These standards are designed to 'be a catalyst for academic growth,' Brumley said.
American Press
08-06-2025
- American Press
The Informer: Courthouse dome eludes exact engineering details
The octagon-shaped dome atop the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse — pictured on June 12, 1977 — is 32-feet wide and about 25-feet tall. The top of the flag pole pedestal adds another seven feet. (American Press Archives) For years, the assumption in Lake Charles was that the green dome atop the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse was solid — and tarnished — copper. Turns out, it's not. The question of how a solid copper dome that is 32-feet wide could have been lifted onto a three-story building in 1911 led to a startling discovery in 1977. Wesley Guidry, a draftsman with the parish's engineering office, found old photostatic copies of the courthouse's original blue prints 48 years ago and found drawings of steel beams in a hollow dome. 'The blueprint showed that the inside of the dome was made of an arched ribbed construction and steel braces were angled under the roof to give support to the dome,' Guidry told the American Press for its June 12, 1977, issue. Guidry took it upon himself to climb inside the dome to see firsthand if the steel braces were solid copper. To his surprise, he found tin. Guidry said the arched construction and metal underneath the copper roof gives both shape and support to the dome. He also said the shape of the dome is deceiving to those looking at it from ground level. It's not round, it's octagon-shaped. Guidry told the American Press the only recorded data on the historic landmark are the blueprints, he said. The dome was built by piece work. Thin sheets of copper, varying in size, were pieced together side by side without any overlap, he said. 'Inside the dome, there are cat walks that the men stood on when they were laying the copper sheets on top of the tin framework,' Guidry told the American Press. He told the newspaper he believes the seams of the copper sheets were soldered together. Guidry said its about 25 feet from the roof of the courthouse to the top of the round part of the dome. An additional seven feet is added by the flag pole pedestal. The shiny copper dome that was put in place in 1911 eventually tarnished over the years and turned pale green. Salt in the air oxidized the copper and turned it into sodium sulfate. Calcasieu Parish Administrator-Engineer Rodney Vincent told the American Press in 1977 that to clean the dome and restore its natural shine would cost a 'tremendous amount of money.' Vincent said at one time the Police Jury 'fancied' the idea of shining up the copper dome. 'But the estimates received were more than the Police Jury could afford.' The courthouse is a replica of the Villa Cora in Vicenza, Italy known as the Rotunda and was added to the Federal Register of Historic Buildings in 1989. The east front has a large Roman Doric portico with four high columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. There are north and south wings. A white colored balustrade runs along the edge of the flat roof.
American Press
29-05-2025
- American Press
Historical walking tour focuses on the story of Lake Charles
Lake Charles' first City Hall was constructed in 1903. Before that, city council members met at homes, hotels or the second floor of the city's then-fire station at the corner of Iris and Cole streets. (American Press Archives) T he Imperial Calcasieu Museum is stepping beyond its walls to highlight and preserve Lake Charles' rich history this weekend. Starting at 2 p.m. Friday, ICM will host the first of three guided historical walking tours through Downtown Lake Charles. The 'Story of Lake Charles: Historical Walking Tours' will bring the city's history to the forefront in the locations of landmark events. The tours offer locals and tourists alike an opportunity to learn about landmark events and showcase influential figures who helped shape Lake Charles into what it is today. Ashley Royer, interim executive director, said the tours are a continuation of ICM's undertaking to preserve the area's history and culture, and will allow the museum to take this mission out of the confines of the building and into the area it honors. 'It is a way to take them out and about and just travel within the footsteps,' Royer said. The museum, which has operated since 1963, has curated the tour using precious — and scarce — primary sources such as Maude Reid's scrapbooks, as well as oral histories and input from area historians, to script the tour. Anna Alamond, an ICM creative specialist, will serve as docent for the tour. Royer said the walking tour is a chance for people to hear the accurate history of Lake Charles in a digital world of misinformation. 'If you imagine 20 years ago, everything's in the newspaper, everything's in a paper format, and we've moved to a digital format and part of it is that we're losing,' she explained. 'There's been mistranslations of the history that's going out.' History requires one to look backward and forward. And this is an important practice, Royer said, especially considering recurring themes the area is experiencing. The 1910 fire consumed the downtown area, but Lake Charles became a more developed city after the tragedy. Now, Lake Charles is in recovery from an onslaught of natural disasters, coupled with a pandemic. 'We think it's important because it's not just knowing what happened before, but what's happening currently,' Royer said. 'And I think it's important that history is a two-way street. You have to look back and forward. 'And there are just some really unique individuals who played a part in our development. I feel like you should know their stories.' The tour begins and ends at the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan St., and will last about two hours. Two more guided history tours will be offered in June. Tickets can be purchased on ICM's website. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, military and children. Children ages 4 and younger admitted free.
