A Two-Decade Journey in New Orleans Public Education
We’re proud to announce the launch of a new resource: New Orleans Public Schools: 20 Years Later—an online data-informed timeline that reflects two decades of transformation in New Orleans public education.
Developed by NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), in collaboration with the Cowen Institute, this new feature on the NOLA-PS Data Dashboard provides comprehensive data, historical context, and analysis of key trends since Hurricane Katrina.
“As we mark 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, this timeline offers a clear-eyed look at how far we’ve come. It reflects the dedication of our educators, the perseverance of our students, and the strength of our community. At NOLA Public Schools, we remain focused on building a system that meets the needs of every learner and reflects the values of the city we serve,” said Dr. Fateama Fulmore, Superintendent of NOLA-PS.
“This timeline tells the story of the people behind the progress—educators, families, and students who’ve worked relentlessly to build a stronger, more equitable school system. We’re proud to partner with NOLA Public Schools and the Cowen Institute to offer a resource that not only shows how far we’ve come, but helps guide the work still ahead” said Dana Peterson, CEO of New Schools for New Orleans.
As our city marks the 20th commemoration of the storm, this timeline reminds us of the ways in which public education has evolved, the progress made, and the work that is still ahead of us. It offers a clearer understanding of how changes in policy, practice, and community leadership have impacted student outcomes, and it invites continued conversation about how we build a better future for every child in New Orleans.
20-Year Data Snapshots:
- A dramatic drop in failing schools: In 2005, 61% of New Orleans public schools were deemed “academically unacceptable.” Today, for the first time since state ratings began, there are no failing schools in the district.
- Rising graduation and college entry rates: On-time graduation rates have increased by 25 percentage points since 2004, and college enrollment rates have risen by 28 percentage points, outpacing the state average.
- Continued academic growth post-COVID: From 2021 to 2024, New Orleans students improved LEAP “Mastery and Above” scores by 8 percentage points in ELA and 10 in math—double the state’s rate of improvement.
- Students are beating the odds: Despite serving a student population with higher economic disadvantage than the state overall, New Orleans schools are driving statewide academic gains, especially among Black, low-income, and multilingual learners.
This digital timeline serves as a valuable resource for families, educators, researchers, and policy leaders both locally and nationally. We hope it supports meaningful reflection and forward-looking dialogue around public education in New Orleans.
Please visit New Orleans Public Schools: 20 Years Later, at https://data.nolapublicschools.com/k20/ or by navigating to the NOLA-PS Data Dashboard and selecting the “K20” tab at the top of the page.
ICYMI: CANO Changes Strengthens Enrollment Sustainability and Expands Student Supports
Recently, Community Academies of New Orleans (CANO)—formed in 2020 from the merger of Esperanza Academy and Foundation Preparatory—announced it will combine its two K–8 campuses into one building next school year. This thoughtful decision will help CANO maintain strong enrollment, use resources wisely, and ensure students continue to benefit from high-quality learning opportunities.
By combining campuses, CANO can reinvest savings into new programs and supports that better serve its diverse community of learners, including expanding its dual-language model and launching additional services tailored to students’ unique needs. This move reflects the kind of proactive planning that helps keep schools stable and student-centered for years to come.
