The top reported proficiency rate is 19% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Robert Russa Moton Charter School
Robert Russa Moton Charter School, now operating as ReNEW Robert Russa Moton Lakefront Academy following a recent governance shift, serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in New Orleans. This change, effective for the 2024-2025 school year, saw ReNEW Charter Schools take over from the previous operator, Advocates for Innovative Schools, after that organization voluntarily withdrew. The transition was conducted through an open siting process managed by the district, and it represents a significant shift in curriculum, staffing, and school culture that families should be aware of.
The school is located in a section of New Orleans, a dense, urban city-parish that functions as a major port and commercial hub. New Orleans is defined by its historic neighborhoods, such as the French Quarter, and a mix of cultural and economic drivers including tourism, the film industry, and institutions like Tulane University. The city has experienced dramatic population shifts, most notably a severe decline after Hurricane Katrina, followed by a substantial rebound and subsequent redevelopment that has raised concerns about gentrification. The housing market in the surrounding area shows a home value index below the state average, reflecting a more accessible entry point compared to much of Louisiana.
Enrollment at Moton is modest for a PK-8 school, with a student body that is overwhelmingly Black and with a substantial share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This profile places the school in a context where many families are navigating economic pressures alongside their educational choices. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the reporting, which is a gap a parent may want to clarify directly with the school.
State testing results from the 2024-2025 school year show that student proficiency across all tested subjects sits well below the midpoint among districts in Orleans Parish. In English language arts, approximately one in five students scored at the proficient or above level, while in mathematics the proportion was about one in twenty. Science and social studies results were similarly low. These figures position the school's overall academic performance in the bottom quartile of the county's school districts, a soft spot that represents a serious challenge for the new operator to address. The proficiency index, which averages all tested subjects and grades, reflects this, and families considering the school will want to examine how ReNEW plans to raise achievement.
Because the school serves only up to eighth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. No data was available on chronic absenteeism, a metric that can offer insight into school engagement and stability. The school participates in state testing at a high rate, meaning the results reflect nearly all enrolled students rather than a selective sample.
For a family, this is a school that has undergone a fundamental reset in management and direction. The new operator brings a fresh organizational approach, but the academic starting point is low. The school's location in a dynamic, post-Katrina city with a wide range of educational options means families have choices, and the performance data suggests that Moton will need to demonstrate real momentum to become a competitive option. The absence of certain data points, such as special education and English learner enrollment, makes it harder to get a full picture of the student support environment; this is something a parent should follow up on during a school visit or inquiry.
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