This is one of several profiles published in the 2025 Education Guide, which inserts in the Aug. 8 CityBusiness.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Newman students earn international Seals of Biliteracy
- Country Day students nominated for 2025 Presidential Scholars
- Catholic schools exceed state ACT average, emphasize service
- St. Michael Special School celebrates 60 years of impact
Private schools across New Orleans continue to shine with notable academic achievements, high test scores, and innovative programs that prepare students for both college and life.
At Isidore Newman School, an independent day school in Uptown New Orleans, students recently earned Seals of Biliteracy—an international distinction recognizing proficiency in two or more world languages. Newman students demonstrated rigorous fluency in both English and French, German and Spanish.
In Metairie, four students from Metairie Park Country Day School were nominated for the prestigious 2025 United States Presidential Scholars Program. The nomination, issued by the U.S. Department of Education, recognizes the nation’s most distinguished high school seniors for broad academic excellence, leadership, character, and community service. Around 5,000 candidates are selected nationwide based on exceptional SAT and ACT scores.
Students in the Archdiocese of New Orleans—home to 60 Catholic schools in the metro area—also stand out for academic and personal growth.
“Catholic school students consistently perform academically, scoring above the state average on the ACT. Catholic school students earn thousands of service hours each year giving of their time, talent and treasure to support those in need,” said Dr. RaeNell Houston, executive director and superintendent of the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Among this year’s top graduates is Dalila Gulati, a valedictorian at Archbishop Chapelle High School, who will attend Stanford University on a full scholarship through the highly competitive QuestBridge program.
The archdiocese is also making moves to support its diverse student population with new programs and facilities. St. Therese Academy for Exceptional Learners will relocate from Metairie to a new campus in Gentilly, sharing space with the newly-formed St. Martin de Porres Church Parish.
At Archbishop Chapelle High School, a new Collaboration Room will open within the recently established St. Joan of Arc Center. The room will provide a structured space to work on group projects, problem solving activities, and enhance daily lessons by creating an innovative space for students to work.
“The room will have a flexible layout with movable furniture and wall to wall glass boards to write on that will support brainstorming, critical and analytical thinking and collaborative learning that a traditional classroom may not be able to,” Dr. Houston said. “This is a great addition to our already well utilized new media center and STEM center all housed in our St. Joan of Arc Center.”
This year also marks a major milestone for St. Michael Special School, which celebrates 60 years of service. Located in the Lower Garden District and recognized as a NASET School of Excellence, St. Michael offers a faith-based education tailored for students with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“It’s where students with special educational needs are able to grow in faith and reach their full potential, academically, socially, and physically,” Dr. Houston said. “Technology rich programs are designed to educate students ages six through adulthood with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities. The school provides for the development of the whole child through purposeful academics, a wide range of elective opportunities and numerous social events. A unique element of a St. Michael education is the opportunity to form meaningful, life-long friendships.”
The recent creation of the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program, signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry, could make private education more accessible to families by allowing residents to apply their tax dollars toward private school tuition.
“We will continue to participate in school choice programs giving more children an opportunity to attend a Catholic school,” Dr. Houston said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
