Factors to Consider

High school students are strongly encouraged to take the ACT, SAT, or both. These tests are often required for college admission and are used to assess the academic performance level of students. Since colleges and universities use these scores to assess a student’s academic readiness for higher education, their reported averages are very important when selecting a high school. Currently the highest score available on the ACT is 36 and 1600 on the SAT. Visit ACT for detailed information, and for detailed SAT information visit College Board.

ACT Average Composite Scores.

Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses help students to prepare academically for college. While these courses are typically more challenging, they can be very beneficial when applying to college. AP courses are often designed to allow students to receive college credit while in high school. Some of the high schools offer these courses in specific subject areas, however, not all schools offer honors and advanced placement courses. Knowing what specific subject areas the school offers in their AP courses is important when deciding to pursue AP or honors courses. Schools have different requirements for admission to these courses; some require tests while others require proof of previous high achievement.

The most significant difference between public and nonpublic schools is the cost. While public schools are tuition free, and private/parochial schools charge tuition, there may be fees associated with both types of schools. The average cost of receiving a private or Catholic education at some of the most modest priced schools can run $9,300 to $12,400 per year. There are several private schools in the city where tuition runs well over $21,600 per year. Attending a nonpublic school may be an option, as many schools offer a variety of financial assistance opportunities.

Students working towards a TOPS University Diploma must achieve 24 units as set forth by the Louisiana Board of Regents. For admission to statewide and regional universities, students must take the following courses.

TOPS University Diploma Pathway
  4 Units - English
  4 Units - Math
  4 Units - Science
  4 Units - Social Studies
  2 Units - Foreign Language (2 units for the same foreign language)
  1 Unit   - Art
  2 Units - Health/Physical Education
  3 Units - Electives
24 Units Total

Students working towards a TOPS Tech Diploma must achieve 23 units as set forth by the Louisiana Board of Regents. For this career pathway, students must take the following courses.

TOPS Tech Diploma Pathway
  4 Units - English
  4 Units - Math
  2 Units - Science
  2 Units - Social Studies
  2 Units - Health/Physical Education
  9 Units - Jump Start
23 Units Total

Jump Start course sequence can include workplace experiences and approved credentials (a minimum of one (1) industry-based credential is required for graduation).

Upon completing the 10th grade, students must determine which of the two pathways they will choose. It is possible for a student to choose both. In this case, it is advised that the student speak with a counselor or an adviser.

Considering the racial and ethnic makeup, the gender and the socio-economic makeup of the student body enrolled at a high school may help determine whether or not a student is able to adapt or thrive in a diverse setting. The diversity of a school does not indicate whether the school is good or bad.

Every school has a different approach to discipline and classroom management. These differences make a significant impact on a school’s culture. Some rules, consequences, and procedures may be more or less effective depending on the student's personalities. A school with weak or ineffective rules and discipline policies may make it difficult for the student to be productive or learn, however, policies that appear too rigid or strict may impact a student's ability to be successful. There are several schools implementing restorative justice approaches and meditation as creative alternatives. Visiting schools and noticing how students are behaving is a good indicator in determining if it is an atmosphere conducive to learning.

While academics are critical when choosing a high school, extracurricular activities and athletic programs are important as well. If a student has a particular interest or wants to participate in sports, band, drama, student government, etc., they should look for schools that offer these programs. It is beneficial for students to participate in extracurricular activities during high school because many colleges and universities take this into consideration when reviewing a student's application for admittance. Scholarships for specific extracurricular or athletic abilities are offered by colleges and universities.

Schools may report the average GPA (Grade Point Average) of their student body beginning in 9th grade. Students are awarded points on a scale (i.e. A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). Points are given for each grade they receive; all the points are added together, and the total is divided by the number of courses taken. The average GPA is close to 4.0 and above. GPA is important because this number demonstrates the level of academic achievement of the students enrolled at a high school. Students must attain a GPA from 2.0-3.0 on the 19 CORE courses or have an ACT Score between 20-25, depending on the school. Colleges consider a student’s GPA for admission, so having a high GPA is important.

GPA Calculator

Each year, high school seniors are faced with critical decisions regarding college and career. Graduates may pursue various post-secondary options, including universities, technical colleges, military, apprenticeships or other training, to ultimately gain entrance into the workforce. Through the Louisiana Department of Education’s Jump Start initiative, high schools are now offering students the opportunity to explore high-wage, high-demand career pathways. Students may enroll in career-focused courses, earn industry-recognized credentials, and/or participate in internships or other work-based learning experiences. After high school, students who have explored their career options and earned industry-recognized credentials are better prepared with real-world skills to enter and succeed in college or start a well-paying job right out of high school. 

Career pathway program offerings in New Orleans High Schools are aligned with local industry demand, meaning students are being prepared to successfully pursue the jobs and professional opportunities that will be most available in the next decade. Top skill clusters in the New Orleans region include health sciences, skilled crafts, business services, and digital media/IT. See individual school profiles or contact the schools directly to learn more about their specific career pathway offerings.

Students have options. As sophomores, students will have the opportunity to enroll in career pathway programs and are required to choose their diploma type. Louisiana has two diploma types:

• TOPS University Diploma Pathway – for students who plan on attending a four-year college or university, requiring students to complete coursework that will qualify them for TOPS scholarships.
• Jump Start TOPS Tech Diploma Pathway – for students interested in preparing for college and career, requiring students to complete coursework that prepares them to continue their education at a technical or community college and to earn industry credentials that will help them attain entry-level employment.

Students  entering college for the first-time as a freshman and their families should meet with a counselor to plan their graduation pathway and inquire about career preparation options available to them. Students should also be aware of high school career pathway offerings as part of their high school search during 8th grade. The RIASEC test on the following pages can help determine which career path is right for the student.

For more information about Jump Start visit louisianiabelieves.com or for local information, visit youthforcenola.org.

High school graduation rates are calculated by the number of students who enter school in the 9th grade and complete within 4 years. Students not counted in this number are students who drop out of school and students who do not graduate on time. When selecting a high school, try to look for schools that report graduation rates close to or above the national average. Graduation rates lower than state or national average do not necessarily mean the school is doing something wrong.

Graduation Rate Comparison Chart

The release of high school graduation rates in Louisiana was delayed this spring due to COVID-19.

Location is very important when choosing a high school because not all schools offer transportation. Some schools offer free or fee-based transportation, but this is sometimes only available to students who do not participate in before or after-school activities. Students who wish to participate in before or after-school activities may need to have alternative means of transportation. Knowing whether or not the school provides transportation may determine which schools to consider.

Information about a college’s alumni may provide insight about a high school. Sometimes schools will specify the colleges and types of degrees their former students received. Students may want to look at high schools whose graduates have attended colleges in which they are interested in. This may help during the high school decision making process, however, if the high school chosen does not have graduates who attended the college of interest, or does not have graduates who have achieved the level of education to which the student aspires, does not mean the student cannot be first on the college's list.

By law, public schools may not provide religious instruction. If a student values a religious education, New Orleans has many nonpublic schools that include religion in their curriculum. Since these schools are not public, they do not operate using public funds (with the exception of schools participating in the Louisiana Scholarship Program) and charge tuition to cover most of their operational costs. A religious school may or may not require that its students be members of the church they represent. Not all private schools are religious.

Student stability indicates the percent of students who choose to return to their current school for another year. While there may be many reasons students leave a school (i.e. out of area), student stability can be an indicator of how well a school supports and engages its students. Students should not only ask about the school's stability rate, but also make sure the school can support their future goals.

There are many benefits to a single gender education. Some people think that boys and girls learn differently and separating learners by sex can aid in teaching to students. Others discuss the social value of working in groups of the same gender. There are many benefits to co-education. Co-education is about diversity and teaches students to work with others regardless of gender.

High schools in New Orleans range widely in student enrollment. Some schools may have less than 50 students in the entire school and others might have more than 100 students in ninth grade alone. Both high and low student enrollment have their advantages. At a low student enrollment school, class sizes may be small and students may get to know the staff and other students very well. Low student enrollment schools can have great extracurricular programs and other great options for students. On the other hand, high student enrollment schools may offer students opportunities like well-developed extracurricular programs and a larger selection of classes and activities. Some high student enrollment schools might have small class sizes and low student-staff ratio. It all depends on the school.

The freedom charter and nonpublic schools have over curriculum design has resulted in many schools tailoring their academic programs to provide students with specialized skills or a unique school culture.

Below are some common themes schools may choose to focus on:

• Career Pathways Program of Studies: Many high schools now provide training in one or more career pathways, such as health sciences (e.g., nursing, lab technician), skilled crafts (e.g., carpentry, electrician, automobile service, EMT), or information technology (e.g., web and digital communications, programming and software development, IT support). Schools that offer career pathway programs may offer internships and industry-based certifications that can be beneficial to students as they enter the workforce or enroll in a postsecondary training or education program.
• Project Based Learning: Project based learning uses indepth, vigorous, interdisciplinary projects in the classroom to facilitate learning. These schools may be great for students who prefer hands on activities and applied learning. 
• Arts: An arts school provides a strong focus on visual arts, music, dance, and theater, far beyond what a typical curriculum offers. These schools prepare students for creative careers and often require performances and gallery shows.
• College Prep: Some schools focus on college readiness and offer classes that will help increase the chances of admission into and funding for college. These schools offer ACT prep, TOPS, AP classes, and a rigorous curriculum that gives the college applicant an edge over applicants attending other schools. In addition, they may have college counselors and enrichment courses that support applying to colleges and finding scholarships. 
• Virtual Learning: The Louisiana Virtual School offers online classes that can supplement what you are already doing in school. Visist LAVCA for more information about online learning and how it can work for students.
• Alternative High School: Alternative means that something is different or unusual. Typically alternative high schools offer a flexible curriculum and different paths to graduation. They may offer a flexible day for students who need to work or take care of a child, or offer online classes and accelerated schedules for students who need to catch up credits in order to graduate. Alternative schools often focus on non-traditional students or students who have fallen behind in school. 
• Home School: Home schooling is the education of students typically by parents but sometimes by tutors outside of the traditional public or private school setting. There are two methods to which a child can be home schooled. The first method is categorized as a home study program where parents must apply to the Board of Education and present information on the course content. Progress is measured by the state. The second method requires less state intervention and reporting. This method involves sending a letter to the Board of Education stating the home-school operates as a private school not seeking accreditation.

The biggest difference between the two methods occurs for high school students. To qualify for TOPS (state supplemented scholarships to universities), a student must be a graduate of an accredited high school. The private home school option does not allow students to qualify for TOPS, but the home study program does. The switch from non-accredited private school (home-school) and home study program for the purpose of qualifying for TOPS must be made by the beginning of 10th grade. Visit LOSFA.

Staff-student ratio refers to the number of staff in a school with respect to the number of students who attend the school. For example, a teacher-student ratio of 1:10 indicates that there is one teacher for every 10 students. There is a belief that a low staff to student ratio can result in more effective classroom management, more individualized attention to students, and the ability to teach and spend time on complex subject areas. While it does not indicate better learning, a low staff to student ratio may be beneficial for a student who needs extra attention; however, it may not matter as much to a more independent student. Consider not only the student to teacher ratio, but also the ratio of students to counselors, librarians, etc.

Not all schools follow the same methods when it comes to teaching. Schools that follow college preparatory curriculum differ in degrees of rigor or in the methods in which they present information to students. Some schools encourage active participation or group work while others use a more lecture-based approach.

Both the environmental and educational conditions of a facility say a lot about a school. School facility factors such as building age, condition, quality of maintenance, temperature, lighting, noise, color, and air quality can affect student health, safety, psychological state, sense of pride in the school, and type of education received should be considered. For example, if the student is interested in a rigorous science curriculum, consider whether or not the school has a high quality Biology and Chemistry lab, or if the student is interested in sports, the quality of the baseball gym, football field, etc. needs to be considered.