NOLA-PS to Direct-Run a School for the 2024-2025 School Year

(New Orleans – January 19, 2024) — In a strategic move following thorough consideration, Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams announces the intent to directly operate The Leah Chase School at 2727 S. Carrollton Ave. for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. She will seek authorization from the board at the February board meeting.

Driven by a commitment to ensure scholars have access to a high-quality education, Superintendent Williams' recommendation will offer families additional variety in educational programming. Dr. Williams aims to provide families with the opportunity to choose a school that aligns best with their children's unique needs for the upcoming academic year.

If authorized by the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB), families will be able to enroll in The Leah Chase School during open enrollment this summer. No immediate action is required. Detailed information about the new school will be shared next month.

NOLA-PS remains steadfast in providing personalized support to families. Superintendent Williams, along with NOLA-PS staff, will be meeting with families interested in attending the new school, as well as Lafayette Academy families beginning the week of Jan. 29. Families from Lafayette Academy will continue to receive closing school priority via NOLA Public Schools Common Application Process (NCAP) during the main round window. The NCAP main round window is set to close on Friday, January 26, 2024.

For specific inquiries regarding the enrollment process for closing school priority, families are encouraged to reach out to a NOLA-PS Family Resource Center or visit www.enrollnolaps.com. General inquiries can be directed to NOLA-PS by calling 504-304-3520.

Background:

NOLA-PS engaged in the district's open siting process to ensure the continued operation of Lafayette Academy Charter School for the 2024-2025 school year. This process was initiated following the Orleans Parish School Board's approval of Dr. Williams' recommendation not to extend Lafayette Academy's contract. The open siting process is activated when a current charter operator relinquishes its charter, faces revocation, or encounters nonrenewal. In such cases, if the superintendent intends to keep the school operational through a transformation process or seeks a new operator for a district-run school, an open siting process is initiated. Charter management organizations are then encouraged to apply to operate the school(s).

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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.