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Early Childhood Education
Early Learning Centers serving more than seven children are required to have a license in the state of Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Education regulates these centers.
To apply, search for Early Childhood Programs in New Orleans. Review their program philosophy, quality rating, weekly costs, and support for children with special needs. Refine selections, complete and submit the NOLA-PS Common Application Process (NCAP) (formerly known as OneApp). If applying to Head Start or Early Head Start programs, parent must visit a Head Start Eligibility Center within 5 days of submitting child's application to confirm child's eligibility. For information about the NCAP visit NOLA-PS Enrollment or call 1-877-343-4773.
Review the Child Care Assistance Application Process (CCAP) for eligibility to determine qualification for child care assistance for programs not participating in the NCAP. Please note CCAP is not part of the NCAP.
For information about CCAP visit Louisiana Believes or call 1-877-453-2721.
The Urban League of Louisiana Parent Information Center has collaborated with NOLA-PS Enrollment to provide credible information about early childhood education programs and options.
High School Education
Public
Public schools meet Louisiana State Standards in core curriculum subjects. School districts have developed programs to address the talents and interests of students in the areas of art, music, drama, athletics, technology, and foreign language. They offer a wide array of extra-curricular activities to develop the whole child. Religious education is prohibited, and all schools are free and opened to students’ residing in Orleans Parish with the exception of a few schools that accept students from outside the parish.
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is the governing body for all schools in Louisiana. BESE has the ability to set criteria for teacher certification, student state testing requirements, and operating standards for schools.
Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) is the elected governing body for the local school district, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS). OPSB is bound by policies set by BESE. OPSB sets policies for the local school district and it is able to levy taxes to fund schools, and has the authority to grant charters to schools in the district.
OPSB oversees Charter Schools. A charter school is a public school that is free and open to all students but some have admissions requirements. Independent organizations under a multi-year contract (called a ‘charter’) manage charter schools. Charter schools are required to participate in the states accountability programs and meet the same achievement goals. Charter schools have more autonomy than traditional schools in hiring practices, curriculum, and budgeting choices.
NOLA-PS is the local public school district in New Orleans. NOLA-PS does not directly operate any schools. NOLA Public Schools is governed by the local public school board, the Orleans Parish School Board.
NOLA-PS Enrollment manages admissions, readmissions, and transfers for 95% of New Orleans public schools and 84% of its students. It also administers the NOLA-PS Common Application Process (NCAP), the unified application process families use to apply to the schools of their choice, anywhere across the city. The NCAP has adapted over time to include a diverse portfolio of schools with various programming models, governance structures, and admissions criteria.
Students enroll in a public school using the NCAP for schools participating in the NCAP process. For public schools not participating in the NCAP process, students apply through the individual schools application process.
The following school uses an individual application process:
Catholic
Catholic schools are overseen by the Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Catholic Schools. Catholic values, spirit, and faith permeate all aspects of school life in a Catholic school. All schools meet or exceed the Louisiana State Content Standards in core curriculum subjects, many have received Blue Ribbon awards, and most are SACS accredited. In addition to the core curriculum, schools have developed programs to address the talents and interests of students in the areas of art, music, drama, athletics, technology, and foreign language. Schools offer a wide array of extra-curricular activities to develop the whole child. Catholic schools welcome non-Catholic students who are expected to participate in religion classes and take part in liturgical celebrations.
Students apply to Catholic high schools through the Admissions Application.
Private
Private schools are independent schools maintained by a private group that follow a particular philosophy and are tuition based. Private schools do not receive government funding; therefore, they do not have to follow the same regulations as public schools because local, state, and national governments do not administer these schools. However, private schools must be registered or approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). These schools are subject to basic Louisiana State Regulation such as providing an education comparable to the quality of public schools and attendance laws.
Students apply to private high schools through the individual schools application process.
Private high schools:
