(New Orleans – December 16, 2022) — NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and its community of schools have embarked on a plan to best optimize its highest quality facilities for students after data showed New Orleans and Louisiana, as a whole, can expect smaller student populations in the coming years.
Thursday, NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams announced her commitment to siting Rosenwald Collegiate Academy, and the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) supported her decision. A formal letter will be sent to Collegiate Friday informing them of this action.
Based on the following criteria, NOLA-PS chose Collegiate Academies to operate the new facility:
●Increase the overall quality of the District's facility portfolio.
●Ensure the District's highest quality facilities are occupied and utilized to their full potential.
●Enhance the overall experience of students.
●Uphold and maintain the legacy of Walter L. Cohen.
Based upon this action, the following changes are taking place for the 2023-2024 school year:
●Rosenwald Collegiate Academy (9th-12th grades), operated by Collegiate Academies, will move from its current location to the new Cohen building (3575 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70115).
●Collegiate Academies will change the school's program name to Walter L. Cohen High School and will retain Cohen's school colors and mascot.
●Students from Walter L. Cohen College Prep will be guaranteed enrollment in the school Collegiate will operate at the Cohen facility.
"These decisions were made after careful review to determine the optimal qualified operator for the Cohen facility," said Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams. "I believe Collegiate Academies will maximize the use of the campus and continue to fulfill the District's mission of providing a high-quality education for the scholars it serves."
"Optimizing the District, while also creating community schools are top priorities for the board," said OPSB Board President Olin Parker. "I believe today's siting decision places NOLA-PS on the path to accomplishing these goals while celebrating the proud history of Walter L. Cohen High School. We are so excited that Collegiate Academies will carry on Cohen's legacy and help instill a culture of confidence, creativity, and belief in yourself that Cohen alumni and students share through their more than 65 year history."
Collegiate Academies has a track record of serving high school students with extraordinary needs. Having students from both the former Walter L. Cohen College Prep and Rosenwald Collegiate Academy at the recently constructed facility will provide opportunities for enhanced programming such as Las Sierras, Collegiate's one-year intensive English program for immigrant newcomers - poised to benefit the 35% of Cohen's students who are identified as English Language Learners.
The new Uptown facility is stunning and will provide more programming opportunities such as modern career and technical education spaces, a large media center, dedicated art spaces, a full gymnasium, and a 300-seat auditorium. Collegiate will provide numerous Open House events for families to tour the new facilities and its amenities.
Collegiate looks forward to engaging with Cohen alumni as it has with other legacy schools it operates, such as Abramson Sci Academy and G.W. Carver High School.
"Rosenwald's students, educators, and families have built a foundation of excellence over the last five years. They are some of the most remarkable I have met in my career," said Jerel Bryant, CEO of Collegiate Academies. "Now to be part of such a storied legacy and tradition like Cohen will be a great next chapter. We look forward to learning more about Walter L. Cohen. We feel the pride and commitment from the Cohen community already. From my ten years of leading G.W. Carver High School, I know personally how much this work matters. Schools like Carver and Cohen are institutions that have shaped lives for generations in this city. We take this responsibility seriously."
"As a proud graduate of Walter L. Cohen High school's Class of 1966, I'm so excited to see Collegiate Academies retaining Cohen's colors and its mascot. I look forward to seeing Collegiate do an excellent job to restore Cohen's legacy of excellence, camaraderie, and spirit," said OPSB member Leila Eames. "Kudos to the Collegiate team. You have a large task in front of you, and we're looking forward to seeing how you bring the students together and create a culture of excellence."
NOLA-PS is working to ensure current Cohen and Rosenwald families understand the new opportunities this creates for their scholars moving forward.
"I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Rosenwald scholars and families who will be part of the District 5 family," said Katie Baudouin, OPSB member for District 5. "The new facility is amazing and will offer wonderful instructional opportunities and amenities to help students flourish and reach their full potentials as they seek to secure bright futures."
It's important to note all current students — both at Rosenwald Collegiate and at Cohen College Prep — are guaranteed a seat at the new Walter L. Cohen facility for the 2023-24 school year. Families do not need to take any additional action. Collegiate Academies will be in contact with families and provide more information on how they plan to help build a vision for the coming years.
If families prefer transferring their child to another school for the 2023-24 school year, they are welcome to submit an application via the NOLA-PS Common Application Process (NCAP) through www.enrollnolaps.com. The main round enrollment period closes Friday, Jan. 20.
NOLA Public Schools looks forward to working with Collegiate Academies to ensure a smooth transition for scholars and staff to the new facility for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.
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About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) 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 (OPSB). NOLA-PS currently oversees 72 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.