NEW ORLEANS – The Einstein Charter School took over the former Intercultural School in New Orleans East for the 2013-14 school year, and is the first in Louisiana history to turnaround a failing school to a “B” grade in only one academic year. Einstein Charter School and Einstein Charter School Extension were graded jointly as a “B” school, with a 91.9 score, by the State Department of Education.
“I am incredibly proud of the students, parents, teachers and administrators of Einstein Charter School and Einstein Charter School Extension for this incredible feat,” said Council President Stacy Head. “This type of turnaround simply does not happen without 100% participation, a commitment to excellence, support at home and of course the dedication of outstanding teachers and staff. Hats off to Einstein Charter!”
Head joined Councilmember James Gray, Einstein Charter School CEO Shawn Toranto and Einstein Charter School staff and students for the announcement at the front steps of City Hall today, Friday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Einstein Charter School is an open admissions, PK-8 charter school with 2 locations in the Michoud community of New Orleans East. It is recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education as a “Top Gains” school and by New Orleans Public Schools as a “Top Performing” school. It was awarded an $1 million grant to turn around Intercultural Charter School which was later renamed Einstein Extension Charter School. The expansion doubled the size of the school to approximately 1000 students.
“To reach our full potential as a city, every child in New Orleans must receive an excellent education,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “Thanks to the hard work of students, parents, teachers and education leaders, New Orleans is raising the bar and the Einstein Schools are a great example of this work.”
Einstein Charter School and Einstein Charter School Extension have one of the most diverse student bodies in the city and one of the largest English Language Learner populations, with 33 percent of its students in an ELL program for Vietnamese or Spanish. Both Einstein campuses are PK-8 open admission charter schools authorized by the Orleans Parish School Board.
