Education Guide 2025: New Orleans charter schools continue to innovate with specialized curriculum | New Orleans CityBusiness

Charter schools in New Orleans continue to redefine public education through innovative programming, specialized curriculum, and expanded opportunities for students across the city—regardless of their zip code.

Charter schools are independently operated by nonprofit management organizations and governed by charter boards. Nearly all elementary and middle schools prioritize enrollment for students in nearby neighborhoods, while high schools are open-enrollment without geographic preference.

Charter schools throughout the city are providing targeted education in areas such as foreign language immersion, STEM, global studies, the arts, and even military leadership.

At the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy (NOMMA), students benefit from a curriculum rooted in military values and structure, offering pathways to leadership and service careers.

At Rooted School New Orleans (RSNO), students can begin earning college credit as early as 9th grade. RSNO is the only open-enrollment early college academy in Orleans Parish and a top performer in helping students earn industry-based certifications/

Students at the New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School are making headlines for using science to solve real-world challenges. Last year, 72 conceptual physics students designed and built portable solar generators as part of a community resilience project aimed at providing energy solutions after natural disasters. It was the first project of its kind in the region.

Several charter schools have earned international accolades for their commitment to global education. Hynes Charter School-Lakeview and Hynes Charter School-UNO received the “LabelFrancÉducation” seal from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of France in the United States. The designation honors schools with exemplary French dual-language programs.

At The International School of Louisiana (ISL), students celebrated Día de los Muertos with culturally immersive activities, including handmade altars, traditional decorations, and student performances. The school offers full language immersion programs in both French and Spanish.

Benjamin Franklin Elementary Mathematics & Science School launched a STEM-focused interactive garden maze with support from Shell, HandsOn New Orleans, and the United Way. The school also introduced a cybersecurity curriculum for 8th graders in partnership with Southern University at New Orleans.

At Warren Easton Charter High School, students were treated to a dynamic financial education event in partnership with Visa and NFL athletes, featuring a Madden-style game called “Financial Football.” Warren Easton also launched the city’s first culinary arts program at an open-enrollment high school.

Kenner Discovery students performed at Carnegie Hall this year with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras—marking a significant achievement for the school’s arts program.

Charter schools have announced new expansions and leadership changes for the upcoming school year.

Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy opened its new Discovery Arts & Athletics Performance Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 29,000-square-foot space includes a full gymnasium, weight room, classrooms, a performance stage, and seating for 2,100 spectators.

The International School of Louisiana announced the acquisition of a new campus in the St. Roch neighborhood at the former Encore Academy building to expand access to its immersion programs.

At Discovery Schools, the governing board announced that longtime Chief Academic Officer Sharon Preen will succeed Dr. Patty Glaser as CEO upon her retirement in June 2025. Glaser, the founding leader of Discovery Schools, has helped grow the network into one of the most respected charter systems in the region.

New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School was awarded $3.1 million through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program to fully electrify its nine-vehicle school bus fleet—making it one of the first public charter schools in the region to go fully electric.

Audubon Charter School Gentilly celebrated its first 8th-grade graduating class since opening in 2018. The Class of 2025 includes 49 students who helped bring the campus to full capacity, serving grades K–8.

Audubon Schools also announced its expansion to Baton Rouge, where it will assume leadership of IDEA Innovation Charter School beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. Kevin George will serve as school director of the renamed Audubon Charter – Baton Rouge.