For the 2025 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 19,436 students in Lake Charles, LA (there are 11 private schools, serving 3,160 private students). 86% 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 Lebleu Settlement Elementary 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 34% (versus the Louisiana public school average of 32%), 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 (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2711 Common Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4680
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4680
Grades: K-5
| 302 students
Rank: #22.
Prien Lake Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3741 Nelson Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4910
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4910
Grades: PK-5
| 703 students
Rank: #33.
Lebleu Settlement Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6509 Hwy 3059
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 217-4880
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 217-4880
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #44.
Grand Lake High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1039 Hwy 384 Grand Lake
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 905-2231
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 905-2231
Grades: 7-12
| 349 students
Rank: #55.
A. A. Nelson Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1001 Country Club Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4790
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4790
Grades: PK-5
| 772 students
Rank: #66.
Sam Houston High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
880 S H Jones Parkway
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4480
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4480
Grades: 9-12
| 1,191 students
Rank: #77.
Moss Bluff Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
215 School Street
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4640
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4640
Grades: PK-5
| 986 students
Rank: #88.
Dolby Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
817 Jefferson Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4730
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4730
Grades: PK-5
| 350 students
Rank: #99.
Grand Lake Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1039 Hwy 384
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 905-2231
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 905-2231
Grades: PK-6
| 358 students
Rank: #1010.
Alfred M. Barbe High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2200 West Mcneese
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4460
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4460
Grades: 9-12
| 2,012 students
Rank: #1111.
Moss Bluff Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1104 Recreation Blvd
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4570
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4570
Grades: 6-8
| 864 students
Rank: #1212.
St. John Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5566 Elliott Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4870
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4870
Grades: PK-5
| 688 students
Rank: #1313.
S. J. Welsh Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1500 W Mcneese
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4410
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4410
Grades: 6-8
| 1,031 students
Rank: #1414.
F. K. White Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 E Mcneese
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4810
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4810
Grades: 6-8
| 645 students
Rank: #1515.
Gillis Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
916 Topsy Road
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4550
Lake Charles, LA 70611
(337) 217-4550
Grades: PK-5
| 689 students
Rank: #1616.
Lake Charles Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3160 Power Center Parkway
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 475-7900
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 475-7900
Grades: PK-8
| 923 students
Rank: #1717.
T. H. Watkins Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2501 Seventh Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4590
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4590
Grades: K-5
| 186 students
Rank: #1818.
M. J. Kaufman Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
301 Tekel Road
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4740
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4740
Grades: PK-5
| 299 students
Rank: #1919.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2001 18th Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4850
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4850
Grades: PK-5
| 264 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
College Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3618 Ernest Street
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4560
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4560
Grades: PK-5
| 283 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Lake Charles College Prep
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2801 Power Centre Pkwy
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 419-2868
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 419-2868
Grades: 9-12
| 616 students
Rank: #2222.
Barbe Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 Penn Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4600
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4600
Grades: PK-5
| 177 students
Rank: #2323.
Lagrange High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3420 Louisiana Ave
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4960
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 217-4960
Grades: 9-12
| 941 students
Rank: #2424.
Pearl Watson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 5th Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4860
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4860
Grades: PK-5
| 332 students
Rank: #2525.
Brentwood Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3825 Brentwood Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4610
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4610
Grades: PK-5
| 272 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Combre-fondel Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2115 Fitzenrieter Rd.
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4890
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4890
Grades: K-5
| 408 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Henry Heights Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3600 Louisiana Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4620
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4620
Grades: PK-5
| 324 students
Rank: #2828.
Washington/marion Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2802 Pineview Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4540
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4540
Grades: 9-12
| 623 students
Rank: #2929.
Oak Park Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2200 Oak Park Blvd
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4830
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4830
Grades: 6-8
| 395 students
Rank: #3030.
Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1700 East Mcneese Street
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 475-7910
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 475-7910
Grades: PK-8
| 848 students
Rank: #3131.
Ray D. Molo Middle Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2300 Medora
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(318) 217-4710
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(318) 217-4710
Grades: 6-8
| 316 students
Rank: #3232.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3955 Gerstner Mem. Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4490
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 217-4490
Grades: PK-5
| 615 students
Rank: #3333.
John J. Johnson Ii Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
500 Malcolm Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4900
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4900
Grades: PK-2
| 153 students
Rank: #3434.
Ralph F. Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1400 Opelousas Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4750
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4750
Grades: 3-5
| 103 students
Lake Charles, Louisiana Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Amikids Southwest (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
425 Kingsley St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 433-4422
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 433-4422
Grades: 4-12
| 16 students
5254 Weaver Rd
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 477-5625
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 477-5625
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Calcasieu Parish Alternative School (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
2903 Opelousas St
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 491-1720
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 491-1720
Grades: 1-12
| 120 students
1015 Sixth Avenue
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 437-6166
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 437-6166
Grades: 8-12
| 88 students
100 N Prater St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4420
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4420
Grades: PK
| 140 students
2001 Russell Street
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 217-4760
Lake Charles, LA 70615
(337) 217-4760
Grades: PK
| 63 students
1509 Enterprise Boulevard
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 436-9594
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 436-9594
Grades: 8-12
| 434 students
745 S Shattuck
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4800
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 217-4800
Grades: 6-8
| 155 students
2200 Elder St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 439-1344
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 439-1344
Grades: PK
| n/a students
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 Lebleu Settlement Elementary 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?
86% 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?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lake Charles include: Gillis Elementary School vs. Moss Bluff Elementary School, Ralph F. Wilson Elementary School vs. John J. Johnson Ii Elementary School, Moss Bluff Elementary School vs. Gillis Elementary School
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