Rapides Parish School Board Superintendent Jeff Powell was the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria’s last lunch meeting, where he provided a performance update for fall 2026.

Overall proficiency increased from 31% in 2021 to 40% in 2026. Students increased proficiency in Social Studies, Science, Math and ELA.

Rapides Parish ranks 19th statewide in overall proficiency, representing a 2% proficiency growth over the last year.

Literacy in Rapides Parish is 76% for K-3 reading at or above grade level.

Only two states are back above their 2019 Math levels, and Louisiana is one of them. Louisiana is also the only state in the U.S. that has passed its pre-pandemic benchmark.