DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY OF THE NEW ORLEANS GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOLS

The New Orleans Guide to High Schools was created to aid students and parents in their journey to finding the right high school. Knowing that every parent doesn’t have the time to visit every school, the Urban League’s Parent Information Center created a comprehensive guide of high schools, their demographics, test scores and amenities creating a resource for families to make informed academic decisions.

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School choice and governance are hot topics in Orleans Parish. All parents should have as much information they need to make the best education choices for their child. The Urban League Parent’s Information Center (ULPIC) is committed to equipping parents with skills and information to become leaders in their child’s school.

Navigating School Choice

Given the complex landscape of Orleans Parish schools, you need current and accurate information to make the best choices for your child.  ULPIC helps parents understand who’s in charge of the schools in Orleans Parish by keeping current data on all New Orleans Public Schools.   Whether operated as a charter or a direct run school by the

NOLA Parent's Guide

The Parents’ Guide is a tool that was created to help you understand public schools in New Orleans and assist you as you make decisions about your child’s education. Inside the Parents’ Guide you will find some basic information about every open public school in New Orleans. You will also find contact information for the authorities who are in charge of public schools in New Orleans.

The Parents' Guide was developed through a partnership with Agenda for Children, New Schools for New Orleans, Operation Reach, Inc. and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans. These organizations worked together to launch the Parents' Guide in the summer of 2007 in collaboration with the Recovery School District and the New Orleans Public School system.

Download your copy of the  Parent’s Guide.

Schools Expo

Free and open to the public, the goal of the Schools Expo is to increase awareness about school choice.  A family event, we encourage you to bring your children to the Expo to enjoy free food, activities and entertainment.  The event familiarizes parents with the common application process and provides access to many public schools.  There is ample opportunity to learn about schools, community programs and apply to them all in one location.

Attend the Schools Expo and you could receive free school supplies, uniform vouchers and dialogue with school leaders and community.  The Schools Expo is a wonderful opportunity for the community to talk to school staff and learn about the exciting initiatives taking place around the city.

Click here for details on the 2011 Schools Expo.

Click here to sponsor the Schools Expo. 

Common Application

Currently the New Orleans education landscape consists of layered systems of public schools.  In response to helping parents understand and navigate, ULPIC advocates for the Common Application process.  The Common Application process creates a single enrollment timeline for more than 80% of the city’s public schools and a universal one-page application.  ULPIC is committed to increasing the number of schools participating in the process.

How it Works

Use the uniform application form to apply to any participating school.  All participating schools will follow the same timeline for when applications are due and when parents are notified of acceptance.  Apply to as many schools as you like, but you must submit a separate form for each school, and separate forms for each child.

Schools (or district officials) will notify you that your child has been accepted into specific schools. Once your child is accepted into schools you must officially enroll in one and only one school where you would like your child to attend for the school year.

Download your copy of the Common Application in English or Spanish.
Note: Be sure to retain a copy of each application for your records.

Parent Engagement & Involvement

The school system in New Orleans is complex and we want to help families make the best choices for their children.  When parents are involved at home and at school, children do better in school and the schools get better.

When parents are involved students gain:

higher grades and test scores better attendance/more homework done less need for special education, more positive attitudes and behavior

higher graduation rates more secondary education

There are benefits for the entire family when parents are involved.

more confidence in the school higher teacher expectations of their children higher teacher opinions of parents

more self confidence more likely to continue their own education

Involving families can improve schools.

improved teacher morale higher ratings of teachers by parents

more support from families better reputation in the community

Parent Leadership Academy

The Parent Leadership Academy (PLA) is an intensive series of workshops and classes where participants gain knowledge and skills to become leaders in the schools. Participation is open to all parents, grandparents and guardians concerned about children in public schools. Participation is also open to teachers, administrators, mentors and others who want to improve outcomes in public schools. Generally the PLA is coordinated with school support to offset costs.

Creating and Improving Parent Engagement Programs

ULPIC will collaborate with school leadership and veteran parents to facilitate focus groups where parents had the opportunity to define their vision of parent engagement at the school. Out of these focus groups we will help the school to create and implement an effective, long-term parent engagement program.

Other ULPIC Services & Benefits

Community outreach, school partnerships, education events, trainings and workshops for parents and educators are the services that ULPIC provides. The core benefits you receive are successful schools and successful children. ULPIC is proud to help parents, the community and schools to move our children toward educational achievement. Beyond the noted services we have also helped:

• parent teacher organizations coordinate fundraisers
• secure funding for and volunteers for a KaBoom playground
• organize health fairs and so much more

If we can’t help you directly, we’re glad to assist you in finding who can.Orleans Parish School Board or the Recovery School District, UPLIC has the information you need.