Best Lake Charles Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public preschools serving 9,043 students in Lake Charles, LA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Lake Charles, LA are Prien Lake Elementary School, Lebleu Settlement Elementary School and A. A. Nelson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake Charles, LA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Louisiana public pre school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 40% statewide average). Pre schools in Lake Charles have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Louisiana public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Louisiana public preschool average of 61% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Lake Charles, LA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Lake Charles, LA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Lake Charles, LA include Prien Lake Elementary School, Lebleu Settlement Elementary School and A. A. Nelson Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Lake Charles?
19 public preschools are located in Lake Charles.
What is the racial composition of students in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles public preschools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Louisiana public preschools average of 61% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Lake Charles are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.