The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Elan Academy Charter School
Elan Academy Charter School sits in the dense urban fabric of New Orleans, a city known for its port, tourism, film industry, and distinctive cultural heritage. The school operates within the Orleans Parish school landscape, where charter schools are the dominant model. Elan serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, a grade band that allows families to stay with one school from early childhood through middle school without navigating a separate transition between elementary and middle grades.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and a very small number of white, Asian, and multiracial students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the surrounding community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records reviewed, so a parent with a child in either category would want to discuss supports directly with the school.
On the Louisiana LEAP 2025 assessments, Elan Academy’s proficiency rates fall below the midpoint when compared with other schools in Orleans Parish. Across the tested grades, English language arts shows the highest proficiency rate among the four tested subjects, followed by math, while science and social studies both show lower proficiency rates. The school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Orleans Parish. A parent considering this school will want to examine what academic interventions and enrichment opportunities are in place, particularly in math, science, and social studies, where the results are weaker.
The school has no high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. For a family planning through eighth grade, the question of where a child will attend high school is an important one to ask early.
Housing in the school’s zip code has seen a modest decline in values in recent months, and rents have also softened, making the area more affordable than much of the national market. The estimated monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced home is lower than the national typical rent, suggesting that buying may be more cost-effective than renting for some families. The unemployment rate nationally has been steady, and the broader economic context shows moderate inflation in shelter costs.
The school’s charter status means it operates independently of the Orleans Parish School Board in many respects but is subject to its charter authorizer’s oversight. No information was available on discipline rates, staffing ratios, or chronic absenteeism, so a parent interested in school climate and daily operations will need to request that data from the school directly.
A notable district-level development is the renewal of a property tax millage for early childhood education, approved by voters in 2022. This measure funds the City Seats program, which provides free early childhood education for children from low-income families, a resource that could be relevant for families with pre-kindergarten-age children considering Elan Academy.
For a family weighing this school, the academic profile suggests a place where a parent will want to be actively engaged in understanding what supports are available for students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school offers a full pre-K through eighth grade pathway in a single building, which can provide continuity. The composition of the student body and the economic context of the neighborhood are straightforward characteristics of the community the school serves. The absence of data on special education and English learner services, as well as on discipline and attendance, means a thoughtful conversation with school leadership would be a necessary step before enrolling.
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