NOLA-PS LEAP Scores Grew by 2 Percentage Points

(New Orleans – July 26, 2024) — NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is delighted to announce that we have been recognized as one of the top systems for growth, with an impressive +2% increase in student performance. This progress reflects the hard work and dedication of our scholars, demonstrating the district's resilience and commitment to academic excellence.

"Our district's continued progress on the LEAP test is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our scholars, teachers, leaders, and staff. I am grateful for and commend all of our schools. We are particularly proud of the gains made by our economically disadvantaged and African American students," said Dr. Avis Williams, Superintendent of NOLA Public Schools. "While we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to addressing the disparities that still exist and ensuring that every scholar in Orleans Parish has access to a high-quality education."

Key Highlights of the 2023-2024 LEAP Test Results:

• Overall Growth: The mastery rates for students in Orleans Parish increased by 2 percentage points, from 25% in 2023 to 27% in 2024. This marks a continuation of the upward trend from the low of 19% in 2021.
• Economically Disadvantaged Students: Mastery rates for economically disadvantaged students increased by 2 percentage points, from 19% to 21%, exceeding the rate of 20% in 2019.
• African American Students: Orleans Parish saw the highest increase in mastery rates for African American students among comparable districts, rising from 19% in 2023 to 22% in 2024, a gain of 3 percentage points.
• Subject-Specific Gains: Mastery rates in English Language Arts (ELA) increased from 33% to 36%, while Math proficiency rose from 21% to 24%. For economically disadvantaged students, ELA mastery improved from 27% to 29%, and Math mastery from 16% to 17%.

School-Level Achievements:

• Top School for Achievement: Benjamin Franklin High School earned the second highest Mastery+ rate in the state with 96% of scholars earning mastery or above.
• Top Performers: Eleanor McMain Secondary School led the way with a 7-point increase in mastery rates. Alice M. Harte Elementary Charter School, Pierre A. Capdau S.T.E.A.M School, and Rooted School also showed significant improvements with gains of 6 points each.
• Basic Proficiency Gains: Pierre A. Capdau S.T.E.A.M School achieved a 15-point increase in basic proficiency rates, demonstrating substantial progress in foundational skills.

Despite these successes, some schools continue to face challenges. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions and additional support to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.

"The data reflects our collective efforts to build a strong educational foundation for our scholars," said Dr. Williams. "We realize we still have a lot of work to do, and we will continue to focus on innovative strategies and resource allocation to support our schools, particularly those facing the greatest challenges."

NOLA Public Schools is dedicated to sustaining and building upon this momentum. Future plans include enhancing instructional practices, providing targeted support to struggling schools, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the district.

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About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish. It includes the district's administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 67 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams, the first woman in the District's 181 years to serve as its permanent superintendent.

For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.