In a recent announcement by the Louisiana Department of Education, the 2023 school performance scores for New Orleans schools have been unveiled. The NOLA Public Schools district, once again, received a grade of C this year, while five New Orleans charter schools received a failing grade of F.

The data revealed that nearly 70% of city schools were rated either a C or a D, making these grades the most common among the schools. This emphasizes the need for improvement and highlights the challenges faced by the education system in the city.

The release of the scores came at a crucial time for Lafayette Academy Charter School and Robert Russa Moton Charter School, as they are facing high-stakes contract decisions. Unfortunately, both schools received F scores, placing them in jeopardy of losing their charter contracts and potentially closing at the end of the academic year. These two schools represent just a fraction of the one in four district schools that are up for contract decisions this fall.

While the overall score for the NOLA Public Schools district remained at a C, showing a slight improvement from last year's score of 66.6 to this year's 69.8, it is important to note that both district and school scores are calculated on a 150-point scale.

In the past, school letter grades were based solely on state standardized test scores. However, in recent years, these scores are now also evaluated based on a "progress index" that measures student improvement year over year. This shift in evaluation criteria indicates that although NOLA Public Schools received an F for its standardized test scores, it received an A in terms of growth.

Esperanza Academy, which was projected to receive an F by district officials, managed to secure a D grade, increasing its chances of receiving approval for a contract extension to continue operating for the final year of its initial five-year contract.

State officials highlighted the achievements of two New Orleans elementary schools, ReNEW Schaumburg and Success at Thurgood Marshall, which demonstrated the highest growth in the state. Additionally, G.W. Carver High School and Kennedy High School were recognized among the top ten most improved high schools in Louisiana.

While state officials expressed pleasure with the overall growth across the state, they emphasized the importance of a continued effort to enhance performance scores.

Out of the schools assessed, five schools received an F grade, including Lafayette Academy Charter School, Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School for Sci Tech, Robert Russa Moton Charter School, McDonogh 42 Charter School, and The Living School. It is worth noting that McDonogh 42 Charter School was closed at the end of the previous school year and merged with Pierre Capdau Charter School under its operator InspireNOLA.

On a positive note, six New Orleans schools achieved the coveted A grade. These schools include New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Edward Hynes Charter School - Lakeview, Audubon Charter School, Benjamin Franklin High School, The Willow School (formerly Lusher Charter School), and Lake Forest Elementary Charter School. Additionally, eight schools received a B grade, while thirty-two schools received a C and sixteen received a D.

The 2023 School Performance Scores provide valuable insights into the progress and challenges faced by New Orleans schools. They serve as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to further improve the education system in the city and ensure the success of its students.