NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — For the first time in nearly 20 years, a district-run public school will return to the city of New Orleans. It’s currently known as Lafayette Academy but will be re-named as the “Leah Chase School” for the 2024-25 school year.
“One of the things that makes it extra special is for the school to be named after Leah Chase. For it to be another opportunity to honor her legacy,” NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Avis Williams said.
At Wednesday’s meeting, school leaders said they will open its doors to 320 students in grades kindergarten through 5th during its first year of operation with plans to expand to 6th grade the following school year.
“Dr. Williams, I think we hired her to run schools and she’s got to watch people. My sense is that she is excited to run to school and the other people here are excited. So, yeah, it’s exciting to see,” New Orleans resident Heather Allan said.
The district is also working on a five-year portfolio plan that will help them make decisions on new schools in the future.
There is no specific number of schools they hope to open by the end of that timeframe.
“The Orleans Parish School Board has charged us to have a plan for direct running more schools and so we do expect there to be more schools in the future. Right now, we’re just excited about being able to open the chase school this fall,” Williams said.
Even though there are plans to expand, there is no plan on trying to completely take over the charter-school system in New Orleans.
“Our charter management organizations have been amazing in the support that they’re providing us as we open the Leah Chase school. So, as the authorizers for the charter schools, we will continue to support them and to make sure that they have the resources that they need for us to have a thriving school district,” Williams said.
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