Metro New Orleans Best High Schools of 2019

New Orleans area is a great place to live and residents should be proud of the area’s schools systems. For over 25 years, U.S. News & World Reports has ranked the best high schools, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and more. This year U.S. News & World Reports included several New Orleans area schools in its 2019 public high school rankings, and Orleans Parish had six high schools that ranked in the Nation’s best for 2019.

To determine the results, the magazine looks at more than 17,000 public schools and bases their rankings on several third-party sources. The first is the U.S. Department of Education’s website called the Common Core Data. Updated annually, the site contains basic information on enrollment, student ethnicity and other profile information on all public high schools in the U.S. The second source is the data collected on statewide math and reading level assessment tests and high school graduation rates. The third source is the College Board which gives the Advanced Placement examination data for each public high school. The last source is the International Baccalaureate which produces the IB examination data for each public high school. Once the data is collected the overall National rankings are then based on College Readiness (30%), College Curriculum Breadth (10%), Math and Reading Proficiency (20%), Math and Reading Performance (20%), Underserved Student Performance (10%) and Graduation Rate (10%).

Out of the best ranked six high schools for 2019 in the Greater New Orleans area, Benjamin Franklin High School ranked 73rd among the nation’s best high schools, 1st among Louisiana’s best high schools, 15th among the nation’s best charter high schools and 22nd among the nation’s best magnet high schools. Lusher Charter School ranked 113th among the nation’s best high schools, 4th among Louisiana’s best high schools, 28th among the nation’s best charter high schools and 32nd among the nation’s best magnet high schools. New Orleans Center for Creative Arts ranked 1,866th among the nation’s best high schools and 10th among Louisiana’s best high schools. New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School ranked 3,818th among the nation’s best high schools and 23rd among Louisiana’s best high schools. Warren Easton Charter High School ranked 4,198th among the nation’s best high schools, 31st among Louisiana’s best high schools and 445th among the nation’s best charter high schools. New Orleans Maritime & Military Academy ranked 4,339th among the nation’s best high schools, 34th among Louisiana’s best high schools and 451st among the nation’s best charter high schools.

Jefferson Parish had three schools that were included in the Nation’s best. Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy ranking 86th among the nation’s best high schools, 2nd among Louisiana’s best high schools
and 24th among the nation’s best magnet high schools. Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies ranking 105th among the nation’s best high schools, 3rd among Louisiana’s best high schools and 29th among the nation’s best magnet high schools. Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies ranking 492nd among the nation’s best high schools, 6th among Louisiana’s best high schools and 90th among the nation’s best magnet high schools.

There were two high schools in the rankings in Plaquemines Parish which included South Plaquemines High School Parish which ranked at 1,982nd among the nation’s best high schools and 12th among Louisiana’s best high schools and Belle Chasse High School which ranked at 3,608th among the nation’s best high schools and 22nd among Louisiana’s best high schools. Others in the area include Chalmette High School in St. Bernard Parish ranking 3,680th among the nation’s best high schools and 23rd among Louisiana’s best high schools, Mandeville High School in St. Tammany Parish ranking 4,192nd among the nation’s best high schools and 30th among Louisiana’s best high schools and Lakeshore High School in St. Tammany Parish ranking 4,447th among the nation’s best high schools and 37th among Louisiana’s best high schools.

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Benefits of Short-Term Rentals

The New Orleans area is visited by travelers from around the world. With its great culture, events, food and accommodations, New Orleans and its surrounding parishes make great residential investments.

Not not only is the area a great place to live, but it is a fantastic area to own a home and rent short-term. Short-term rentals are great for those that want to stay in places other than standard hotels. A property owner can rent their house, apartment, condo, townhome or event just a room for less than 30 days. This is a great way home owners can make extra money off of their investment.

There are many websites home owner’s can use to rent their short-term property. VRBO.com, HomeAway, Airbnb are just to name a few. These sites maximize a homeowner’s exposure to those who are looking to short-term rent. These platforms are a great way for homeowners to connect to the customers.

“I’m trying to afford my mother an opportunity to live independent,” says Mel Leveque, a Bucktown resident. “We’re providing a service … [to] some people who drive here, who don’t fly. … They love being in the neighborhood where restaurants and stuff are. I think we help create revenue for the parish.”

Short-term rentals are not a scary thing for homeowners in any neighborhood or community. There are guidelines in many areas that help “balance rights of property owners who rent rooms for 30 or fewer days with the interests of nearby residents trying to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood.”

Gretna is a perfect example of a community that allows short-term rentals with specific guidelines to follow. Homeowners must hold a homestead exemption and live in the residence for at least six months out of the year, allow only one rental per house and no other part may be rented for more than 156 days within a year, have $500,000 of liability insurance, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers, impose a fee of $7.50 for each night of occupancy and obtain a $750 license.

For those homeowners that are looking for a unique way to maximize their investments, short-term rentals are the perfect opportunity.

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Plaquemines Parish New Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion

Wetlands in the area have suffered with the building of levees along the Mississippi River. The levees have stopped the flow of sediment that is needed to build and maintain the natural wetlands. The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) plans to build the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion in Plaquemines Parish to help with this natural occurrence.

The $800 million dollar project will be constructed by the Louisiana Diversion Company LLC (LDC) which will comprise several partnering firms. These firms include Brown & Root Industrial Services LLC of Baton Rouge; Massman Construction Co. of Overland Park, Kansas; Parsons Construction Group Inc., of Westminster, Colorado; and Traylor Brothers Inc. of Evansville, Indiana.

These teams have major local projects under their belts including the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish; the West Closure Complex in Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes; the three Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps stations in New Orleans; the Chalmette Levee Loop levee and flood-wall project in St. Bernard; and the widening of the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish.

“This competitive process produced three quality proposals from experienced local and national firms that all have a strong presence in Louisiana,” said CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase, in a news release announcing the contract. “The state is confident LDC brings the necessary experience and team members needed to construct this transformational restoration project.”

The construction is set to begin in October 2023 and is projected to be completed by June 2028. The major project will be built along the Mississippi River along the east bank at Will’s Point. This area which is 68 miles above Head of Passes will be designed to collect the sediment rich water from the Mississippi and direct it eastward to the Breton Sound Basin where it will restore the wetlands. The diversion will carry a maximum of 75,000 cubic feet per second of sediment and water during high-river periods.

Before construction can begin, LDC has hired Stantec, (based out of Canada) to head up the design. The $12.4 million contract with Stantec will include designing temporary works, reviewing the construct-ability of the diversion structure and giving an estimate of project costs for designs being prepared by another team of contractors led by Stantec Inc.

The project falls under Louisiana’s Construction Mangament At-Risk (CMAR) which imposes a set of rules for major infrastructure projects. For this reason, the LDC will be part of the early design process which will speed up construction and reduce costs.

“Using the CMAR method of project delivery brings the construction contractor to the table during the design phase of the project,” said CPRA diversion program Brad Barth in the news release. “This early collaboration between the contractor and designer provides a unique opportunity to reduce project time, costs and risks.” “While the CMAR delivery method hasn’t been used often in Louisiana, it gives us the best opportunity to construct this large and complex project in the safest and most cost-effective manner,” said Chip Kline, chairman of the CPRA board of directors and coastal adviser to Gov. John Be. Edwards, in the news release. “We’re in a race against time, and CPRA is committed to finding innovative and ambitious solutions to address Louisiana’s coastal crisis.”

Money for the project will be provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and BP and Transocean.

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$10 Million Dollar Redevelopment Project At Elmwood in Jefferson Parish

Jefferson Parish will see a face-lift to the Elmwood Shopping Center. The developer, Lauricella Land, hopes to bring a new and exciting place to Jefferson Parish that will draw people in from other parishes.

Mike Yenni, Jefferson Parish President, is excited about the new project for the community. He said that the redevelopment will include higher-end housing and shops that are currently not found in Jefferson Parish.

“It’s totally thinking out of the box, but it’s the new trend,” Yenni said of Lauricella Land Company LLC’s concept for Elmwood. “It’s what’s happened in the city of New Orleans. You’ve got a lot of live, work, play concepts there with retail on the first floor and residential up above, and why can’t we do the same thing here in Jefferson Parish?”

The two year project is already underway as the old KMart building is being prepared for demolition and the new La Madeleine’s restaurant is currently under construction right next door. The plans include housing units that will be built where the KMart building stands. The first floor of the units will consist of retail and the housing will be on the upper floors with the parking garage in the back. A grocery store is also hoping to make it into the development but is still in the works.

“All he’s told me is that he’s going after a grocery store that is not even common to Louisiana right now,” Yenni said. “So it’s got me Googling, but I haven’t found it yet.”

Jefferson Parish Council has approved a special tax incentive to aid the developer in improving roads, drainage and landscaping. The drainage will prevent flooding on the south-side of Clearview Parkway by tying into the Pump to the River station.

Shoppers and retail store employees of the Elmwood Shopping Center are excited about what’s to come. The new store facades that have already been put in place are just one of the many great things to come.

“It makes it so much better than it used to be,” Dave Sepulveva, who works at a retail store at the shopping center, said. “I’ve just gotten a favorable response to what they’re hearing — what’s coming up.”

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Plaquemines Parish Schools Named in Louisiana’s Top School Districts

Even though the Louisiana Department of Education used a tougher grading metric this year, many of the New Orleans area school districts rank the same or better in 2018. Plaquemines Parish Schools ranked #4 best school district in the state.

This ranking is based off a data collected by the U.S. Department of Education and self-reported data by the school districts. An intense analysis of academic and student life data (dropout rates, school funding and poverty rates), test scores and student performance.

There are many other factors that are considered in the rankings. Academics Grade counts as 50% and is based on SAT/ACT scores, academic survey responses from students and parents, and state assessment proficiency. Teachers Grade counts as about 15% which is derived from teacher salary, teacher absenteeism, state test results, and survey responses on teachers from students and parents. Culture and diversity counts for 10% and is based on diversity from students and parents, racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture. Another 10% comes from Parent/Student Surveys that are based on their overall experience. Approximately five percent is based on health and safety of the students which comes from data such as chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions and survey responses. Another 5% is based on resources and facilities expenses per student, staffing and survey responded from parents and students. The last five percent is based off of clubs, activities and sports.

Residents should be honored and proud of the parish’s school ratings. Plaquemines Parish School System has overcome great adversity after being hit so hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

 

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