InspireNOLA Emerges as the Top Performing Network of Schools
in New Orleans
The organization achieved significant letter grade growth across all seven schools during the 2023-2024 school year
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NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 20, 2024) — InspireNOLA Charter Schools has achieved a major milestone, solidifying its position as the highest performing open enrollment organization in New Orleans. Additionally, InspireNOLA is the only B+ Network in the city. With the release of the State of Louisiana Department of Education’s School Performance Scores (SPS) and Letter Grades, InspireNOLA celebrates remarkable achievements across its schools during the 2023-2024 school year.
Edna Karr High School has earned the distinction of being the city’s only non-selective high school with an ‘A’ letter grade. Additionally, Alice M. Harte Charter School is the highest performing non-selective elementary school in New Orleans with its ‘B’ letter grade, further underscoring InspireNOLA’s foundation school’s commitment to excellence.
As a transformation-focused organization, InspireNOLA has made significant strides in elevating the academic performance of several previously underperforming schools. McDonogh 35 Senior High School and McMain Secondary School have both achieved a ‘B’ letter grade, marking substantial growth under InspireNOLA’s guidance. Andrew Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower, previously rated as failing, have each risen to a ‘C’ letter grade - a testament to InspireNOLA’s proven turnaround expertise. Notably, Capdau S.T.E.A.M., InspireNOLA’s newest school, has achieved the largest single-year growth in the city, by leaping two letter grades during the 2023 -2024 school year. All InspireNOLA High Schools (Edna Karr, Eleanor McMain, and McDonogh 35) are three of the top four non-selective high schools in New Orleans.
“InspireNOLA’s success is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality education to every child, no matter their background or previous academic standing,” said Chief Executive Officer, Jamar McKneely. “These achievements are the result of hard work from our students, dedication from our teachers and staff, and the steadfast support of our families and communities.”
Chief Academic Officer, Wylene Sorapuru, Ph.D. added, “This success is about more than letter grades; it’s about creating equitable pathways to opportunity. Every student deserves an educational environment that challenges them to reach their full potential, and these results are proof of the remarkable progress that’s possible.”
Highlights:
- InspireNOLA is the only B+ school network in New Orleans
- Six of seven InspireNOLA schools earned an ‘A’ progress grade, with one earning a ‘B’ progress grade
- All InspireNOLA High Schools (Edna Karr, Eleanor McMain, and McDonogh 35) are 3 of the top 4 non-selective high schools in New Orleans
- Edna Karr High School is the only non-selective high school in New Orleans to earn an ‘A’ letter grade
- Alice Harte is the highest performing non-selective elementary school in New Orleans and increased their SPS score by 7.8 points
- McDonogh 35 increased their SPS score by 27 points and improved their letter grade to a ‘B’
- Eleanor McMain increased their SPS score by 14.5 points and improved their letter grade to a ‘B’ and achieved the Top Mastery LEAP Growth* in New Orleans
- Capdau S.T.E.A.M. increased their SPS score by 16.1 points and improved their letter grade to a ‘C’
- Andrew Wilson increased their SPS score by 11.9 points and improved their letter grade to a ‘C’
- Dwight Eisenhower increased their SPS score by 6.8 points
- McMain, McDonogh 35 and Dwight Eisenhower are Top Gains Schools
- Edna Karr High School is an Opportunity Honoree (scored in the 90th percentile in all subgroups)
*inclusive of Selective Enrollment schools
InspireNOLA Charter Schools, a leading force in educational transformation, serves more than 5,000 students in Orleans Parish across seven schools. The organization’s proven track record of elevating struggling schools and fostering academic achievement has established itself as a model for educational excellence in New Orleans and beyond.