The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Laureate Academy Charter School
Laureate Academy Charter School is a regular public charter school in Harvey, a West Bank suburb of New Orleans, serving kindergarten through eighth grade. Harvey is a census-designated place with a mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial corridors, anchored by the Harvey Canal and the headquarters of Jefferson Parish Public Schools. Families are drawn to the area for its lower housing costs and quieter suburban character relative to New Orleans, though it lacks a traditional downtown core and pedestrian-oriented street life.
The school’s enrollment is moderate for its grade band. The student body is predominantly Black, with smaller shares of white, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the area’s economic mix. Data on English learner and special education populations were not reported.
On the Louisiana LEAP 2025 assessments administered in the 2024-2025 school year, the school’s proficiency rates across the four tested subjects fell below the statewide average. In English language arts, roughly a third of students scored at the proficient or advanced level. In mathematics and social studies, the share was just over a quarter. Science proficiency was markedly lower, with fewer than one in five students meeting the bar. These results represent a single year of data, so no trend line is available. The participation rate was full, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students in tested grades. A parent considering this school may want to ask about academic supports, particularly in science and math, and about how the school uses its charter flexibility to address these outcomes.
As a charter school, Laureate Academy operates with some independence from the larger Jefferson Parish district, though it remains part of the same parish system for oversight and certain services. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Information about course offerings, staffing ratios, and discipline was not available in the data provided.
The Jefferson Parish district context matters for this school. The district approved a school consolidation plan in 2023, closing and merging schools and redrawing attendance zones, with parents raising concerns about longer commutes. For the 2024-2025 school year, the school board approved budget cuts that included reductions in central office staff and transportation services. While these changes primarily affect district-run schools, charter schools can be indirectly affected by funding shifts and by the movement of students across boundaries. On the positive side, the district adopted a new evidence-based reading curriculum beginning in 2023-2024 and received a federal grant to enhance STEM education, both of which may influence resources available to charter schools as well.
For a family weighing this school, the main considerations are its academic profile, which shows room for growth across all subjects, and its charter-school structure, which offers an alternative to traditional district schools in the area. The Harvey housing market is relatively affordable compared with the New Orleans metro area; home values rose notably in the recent period, while rents decreased slightly. The community is quiet and suburban, with a regional library and the Harvey Canal as local landmarks, but it is not a pedestrian-friendly or densely urban setting. Families who value a small-to-midsize K-8 school environment and are willing to investigate academic supports may find this school worth a closer look. Those seeking strong proficiency rates, especially in science and math, should verify whether the school’s current trajectory and improvement plans align with their expectations.
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