NOLA Public Schools Announces Siting Decisions for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

(New Orleans – January 12, 2024) — NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is sharing the outcomes of its recent open siting process, a critical step in ensuring the continued success of our school system.

Following the siting application deadline last month, one transformation application was received from ReNew Schools expressing interest in operating Robert Russa Moton Charter School. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams has made the decision to site the school to ReNEW- Reinventing Education for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. ReNEW Schools has earned some of the highest levels of academic growth in the state and is a proud member of the New Orleans East community.

Families currently enrolled at Robert Russa Moton Charter School do not need to do anything. They are guaranteed a spot at the school that will be operated at the Moton facility and will automatically be enrolled there for the 2024-2025 school year.

If families would prefer their child attend a different school for the 2024-2025 school year, NOLA-PS encourages families to complete the NOLA-PS Common Application (NCAP) by the main round deadline of Friday, Jan. 19.

In light of the December 18th deadline passing without any siting applicants for Lafayette Academy Charter School, Dr. Williams, after careful consideration, has determined that the most appropriate course of action for Lafayette Academy is to conclude its operations at the end of the current 2023-2024 school year.

"We understand this is difficult news for families to hear, and it's not a decision I take lightly. Ultimately, my decision is grounded in our district's commitment to providing a high-quality education for all scholars," said Dr. Williams. "I'm committed to empowering Lafayette families and providing them with the opportunity to choose a school that best meets their children's unique needs for the upcoming school year."

Dr. Williams further highlighted the ongoing efforts of the NOLA-PS accountability team in developing a comprehensive 5-year portfolio plan.

"The plan will integrate historical trends and key metrics across critical areas, ensuring informed decisions aligned with our long-term goals. Our commitment to transparency is key in documenting decision-making processes, especially in complex scenarios amid declining enrollment. The plan will enable us to use data as we comprehensively assess impacts, making each decision, from opening new schools to improving program variety, a step towards shaping a positive future for education within NOLA-PS," said Superintendent Williams.

To facilitate a smooth transition, NOLA-PS is implementing measures to enhance the likelihood of Lafayette Academy scholars securing placements at their preferred schools. Notably, scholars in grades K-7 will receive closing school priority through the NOLA Public Schools Common Application Process (NCAP).

Lafayette Academy families are strongly encouraged to participate in the NCAP to select a new school for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The NCAP window is currently open and will close on Fri., Jan. 19, 2024. While standard NCAP procedures apply to PK4 or 8th-grade students, with no specific priority given, the process aims to provide all families with an equitable opportunity to make informed decisions about their children's education.

NOLA-PS remains committed to providing personalized support to families throughout the application process. NOLA-PS staff will be available in the Lafayette Academy cafeteria on Wed., Jan. 17th, from 4:00-6:00 PM to assist families with the NCAP process.

For specific enrollment process inquiries, families are encouraged to contact a NOLA-PS Family Resource Center or visit www.enrollnolaps.com. General inquiries can be directed to NOLA-PS at 504-304-3520.

NOLA-PS engaged in the district's open siting process to ensure the sustained operation of Robert Russa Moton Charter School and Lafayette Academy Charter School for the 2024-2025 school year. This followed the Orleans Parish School Board's (OPSB) approval of Dr. Williams' recommendation to not extend Lafayette Academy's contract and accept Advocates for Innovative Schools' voluntary withdrawal to seek renewal of Moton's contract.

An open siting process is triggered when a current charter operator surrenders its charter, undergoes 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.