NEW ORLEANS – New Beginnings Schools Foundation (NBSF) students, leaders and families are set to move into their new state-of-the-art learning center, located at 5800 St. Roch Ave., in Gentilly, this summer.
The new school will allow for more than 750 pre-K through 8th-grade students from both Gentilly Terrace and Pierre A. Capdau to receive an education in a 21st-century learning community.
Opening in August 2017, the Pierre A. Capdau at Avery Alexander site will feature art and music rooms, outdoor recreational spaces, a media center, expansive cafeteria, gymnatorium and science labs that encourage hands-on learning with a STEM focus. Additionally, a multitude of unique opportunities will be available for students including a gifted program, pre-advanced placement courses, foreign language, football, band, music, art and cheerleading, school reps said.
The NBSF leaders and parents felt it was important to preserve the unique identities of both schools, rep said, and it was decided that the mascot for the Pierre A. Capdau at Avery Alexander site would be the Jaguars, in keeping with Gentilly Terrace.
"This is a unique opportunity where we can offer to students from two of our schools access to this amazing facility," said Leslie Bouie, NBSF board chair. "It's exciting, and the excitement grows as we get closer to the actual move date."
Recently, NBSF accepted a grant from New Schools for New Orleans, which will allow them to provide each student with a uniform for next school year. This will include one pair of pants, shirt, belt and a sweatshirt.
"New Beginnings students are on a clear path to success, and this new building will offer an environment to propel their learning forward," said Michelle Blouin-Williams, CEO of NBSF. "The school is a community of learners where students will be offered state-of-the-art facilities to support the wonderful teaching and learning of New Beginnings."
All NBSF schools including Medard H. Nelson Charter School and Lake Area High School will be in Gentilly. Students and families are encouraged to use the hashtag – #WeAreGentilly when sharing news about NBSF.
