New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
New Orleans Charter Science & Math High School is an open enrollment charter school in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Students commonly refer to the school as "SciHigh", "Science & Math", or vice versa, "Math and Science".
| New Orleans Charter Science & Math High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
5625 Loyola Ave. , 70115 United States | |
| Information | |
| School type | Open enrollment public charter |
| Motto | Catalyst to Your Future |
| Founded | 1993 |
| School board | Orleans Parish School District (charter school). |
| Principal | Dr. Monique Cola |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 385 (Fall 2011) |
| Color(s) | Royal blue and white |
| Team name | Nautilus |
| Website | www.noscihigh.org |
The organization, Advocates for Science and Mathematics Education, governs the school, which is located in Uptown, in the former Allen Elementary School campus.[1] The school is supported in part by the Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for "an open-admissions, rigorous, hands-on educational model paired with the belief that any student can succeed when provided with a safe and supportive environment."[2]
History
The school was founded in 1993 by Barbara MacPhee as a half day school focused on the rigorous instruction of mathematics and science. Students from any New Orleans Public School were able to enroll part-time at NOCSMHS and part-time at their "home" school. From its inception until Hurricane Katrina, the school was housed on the campus of Delgado Community College.
After Katrina, the school was chartered under the auspices of the Orleans Parish School Board as a full-day, grades 9-12 high school, offering instruction in all subjects, including English, social studies, and foreign language. Due to the damage Delgado received from Katrina, NOCSMHS moved to the building which housed the former Henry W. Allen Elementary School in the uptown New Orleans neighborhood.
In October 2010, the school met its performance growth goal by attaining a School Performance Score over 80.0, giving it a two-star rating.
The following year, in October 2011, the school far surpassed its growth goal, and earned a "B+" grade—the highest grade given to any open-enrollment school in the New Orleans area.
In April 2018 the board for Sci High selected former Delgado Community College employee Monique Cola as the school's headmaster; she has a PhD from Tulane University.[3]
The groundbreaking for the Mid-City campus was scheduled for fall 2018 with opening anticipated for winter 2020. It was scheduled to have a 400-seat gymnasium on the second floor.[4]
Faculty
In 2018 the school retained 68% of its faculty members, with 13 members starting work and 28 continuing to work from the previous year.[3]
School building format
- The first floor is primarily science classes. It also holds the cafeteria, Phys. Ed. room, Art class, and counselors office.
- The second floor is primarily language arts and social studies classes. It also holds the Computer Lab, Auditorium, and Main Office.
- The third floor is primarily the math and English classes. It also holds the Library and Special Education classes.
References
- "The Sci High Story Archived 2012-08-14 at the Wayback Machine." New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School. Retrieved on August 3, 2012.
- "The Foundation for Science and Mathematics - Get Involved." Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education. Retrieved on January 18, 2015.
- Morris, Robert (2018-07-23). "Sci High prepares for new school year with new principal". Uptown Messenger. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- Morris, Robert (2018-03-16). "Sci High aims for fall groundbreaking on new Mid-City campus". Uptown Messenger. Retrieved 2020-05-25.