International School of Louisiana

The International School of Louisiana (ISL) is a system of charter schools in Greater New Orleans. Three campuses are located in New Orleans. The K-8 school offers a French immersion program and a Spanish immersion program.[1] As of 2007 it was one of two New Orleans schools chartered by the State of Louisiana that is not a part of the Recovery School District (RSD).[2] The International School of Louisiana (ISL) educates students in K-8 across three campuses located in Dixon (K-2nd), Uptown (3-8th), and the Westbank (K-5th). Their commitment to diversity is evident in both their teacher and student populations. ISL employs over 200 staff members from 33 countries and fluent in 23 different languages who work together to educate approximately 1200 students (43% African American, 29% White, 25% Latinx/Hispanic, 2% Asian/Pacific and 1% American Indian).

International School of Louisiana, October 2011

History

The school was founded in 2000 by Julie Fabian, Maria Redmann Treffinger, Jane Fitzpatrick, Shelley Stephenson Midura, and Ivan Baas-Thomas.[3] The original location was at the First United Methodist Church in Mid-City, but the school relocated to Camp Street after hurricane Katrina.[4]

In 2011 ISL had received more applications for the French immersion program than it had in any previous year.[5] That year, its Algiers campus opened.[6] It was the first language immersion school on the West Bank side.[7]

In 2012 the Jefferson Parish campus opened. When it opened it had 328 students, a smaller number than originally anticipated.[6] The Jefferson Campus closed in 2014.

The school restructured in 2017, opening the Dixon Campus at 4040 Eagle St. Serving students from Kindergarten-2nd, re-organizing the Uptown campus to serve 3rd-8th at 1400 Camp St., and serving Kindergarten-5th at the Westbank campus.

Currently, ISL serves 1183 students across 3 campuses in New Orleans (Dixon Campus, Uptown Campus, and Westbank Campus).

Locations

The Dixon Campus is located at the former Mary Bethune Building in the Dixon Neighborhood. The Uptown Street Campus is located in the former Andrew Jackson Elementary School in the Lower Garden District (29.9363°N 90.0727°W / 29.9363; -90.0727 (International School of Louisiana, Camp Street Campus)).[2][8] The Olivier Street campus is located in Algiers Point.

Academics

In 2014, according to the state rankings, the school system received an "A" grade.[1] The Center for Education Reform in 2007 ranked the International School as one of the best charter schools in the United States.[2] ISL is the only Louisiana school to be named a “Charter School of the Year” by the Center for Education Reform, the nation’s leading education advocacy organization. They work diligently to further their mission to provide a challenging education emphasizing language immersion, international awareness, the celebration of diversity, and community responsibility. As a non-selective school, ISL enrolls a minimum of 53% of students identified as at-risk.

ISL is among the first Louisiana State Certified Immersion Schools, is one of only two Spanish language immersion schools in the metro area, notably won the COSEBOC Excellence in Education award for the effective elimination of the achievement gap for boys of color, and is the proud honoree of the 2015 Public Education Award for Exemplary Language Immersion Education, among other recognitions and awards.

ISL does not discriminate against students on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, family situation, intellectual or athletic ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis that would be illegal if used by a district board of education. ISL complies with all applicable Louisiana statutes concerning public schools.

References
  1. Dreilinger, Danielle. "International School of Louisiana chief hired by International High." Times Picayune. April 28, 2014. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  2. Ritea, Steve. "Charter group hails N.O. school Archived 2014-05-18 at the Wayback Machine." The Times-Picayune. Thursday May 17, 2007. Retrieved on March 30, 2013.
  3. http://www.coweninstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/CH-Applications-2000-2-INTERNATIONAL-SCHOOL-OF-LA.pdf
  4. "International School of Louisiana » Camp Street Campus FAQ's". Archived from the original on 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  5. Plaisance, Stacey. "La.'s French-learning boom." Associated Press at The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 24, 2011. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  6. Tan, Sarah. "The International School of Louisiana opens in Harahan." Times Picayune. November 23, 2012. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  7. Chang, Cindy. "International School of Louisiana is expanding to the West Bank." The Times Picayune. October 25, 2010. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  8. "Camp Street campus." International School of Louisiana. Retrieved on March 31, 2013. "1400 Camp Street New Orleans, LA 70130"
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