School choice: Do you know what different charter schools in Baton Rouge focus on?

Originally published on Baton Rouge Proud on November 6, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Charter schools are an educational option for parents who want something different from a traditional public school environment.

Charter schools are still public schools, and they operate with a different curriculum and often toward a specific educational objective, such as STEM or college prep. Charter schools can’t charge tuition or be affiliated with a religion and rely on parents enrolling children to keep funding.

A group of people come together with an alternative education plan that they think will help students. They get a charter from either a local school district or the state and have to be approved and reviewed for academics, governance and financial success to keep their charter.

There are more than 20 charter schools in the Baton Rouge area. Some serve children in kindergarten, while others start in middle school.

Charter schools in Baton Rouge

Here is a breakdown of charter schools in Baton Rouge and what they focus on.

STEM and Liberal Arts-based curriculum

The BASIS Charter Schools in Baton Rouge infuse STEM and liberal arts in their classrooms to give students a wide range of learning opportunities. Basis Baton Rouge Materra Campus goes from kindergarten to eighth grade. Basis Baton Rouge Primary Mid City goes from kindergarten to the fifth grade.

Kenilworth Science and Technology Academy uses Harmony Public School’s STEM Education model, and students begin specialized math and science at an early age. The school goes from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Experience-based curriculum

Community School for Apprenticeship Learning (CSAL) gives students different forms of instruction to prepare them for real-world experiences. Community School for Apprenticeship Learning Charter Elementary goes from kindergarten to fifth grade. Community School for Apprenticeship Learning Charter Middle School goes from sixth to eighth grade. Madison Preparatory Academy goes from ninth through 12th.

Interdisciplinary therapy-based curriculum for children with autism

The Emerge School for Autism uses socio-emotional learning to help students perform academically and improve their communication skills and independence. Emerge School for Autism goes from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Evidence-based curriculum for children with dyslexia

Louisiana Key Academy uses an evidence-based curriculum to help students overcome dyslexia with structured language arts, written composition, math, science and social studies. Louisiana Key Academy goes from kindergarten to ninth grade.

College-prep curriculum

IDEA Public Schools use specific forms of core subjects up until the sixth grade. Students in sixth grade and above are taught college-ready subjects to prepare them for higher education. IDEA Bridge goes from kindergarten to 11th grade. IDEA Innovation goes from kindergarten to eleventh grade. IDEA University Prep goes from kindergarten to eighth grade.

J. K. Haynes Charter has a mission to encourage students to strive for excellence and develop creative skills to prepare for college or a career. The school goes up to seventh grade.

Geo Prep Academy of Greater Baton Rouge designed its curriculum for students to become successful in college. Teaching methods and technology give students a learning environment that works best for them. Geo Prep Academy – Greater Baton Rouge goes from kindergarten to eighth grade. GEO Prep Mid-City of Greater Baton Rouge goes from kindergarten to eighth grade. GEO Next Generation High School goes from ninth to 12th grade.

Collegiate Baton Rouge empowers students to graduate from college and become leaders. Core values include excellence, empathy, responsibility and community for high school students. Collegiate Baton Rouge goes from ninth to 12th grade.

Aviation-based curriculum

Helix Aviation Academy uses aviation content in students’ core curriculum to prepare students for the Aviation field. Helix Legal Academy goes from sixth to eighth grade. Helix Aviation Academy goes from sixth to eighth grade. Helix Mentorship Academy goes from month grade to 12th grade.

Curriculum built on students’ strength

Inspire Charter Academy‘s curriculum focuses on college prep and moral lessons. Inspire Charter Academy goes from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Redesign Schools Louisiana schools use virtual reality labs and project-based learning to prepare students for high school, college and life. Lanier Elementary goes from pre-k to fifth grade. Dalton Elementary goes from kindergarten to fifth grade. Zion City School goes from sixth to eighth grade. Glen Oaks Middle goes from sixth to eighth grade.

Liberal arts-based curriculum

Great Hearts Harveston uses liberal arts in their Socratic instruction by using guided questions to help students discover their interests. Students will also have instruction in music, art, Latin and more. Great Hearts Harveston goes from kindergarten to the seventh grade.

Individualized-based curriculum

South Baton Rouge Charter Academy, a part of Charter Schools USA, uses a specific core curriculum called CSUSA Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum. It focuses on individualized learning plans and improving student achievement. South Baton Rouge Charter Academygoes from pre-kindergarten to the eighth grade.

University View Academy is an online charter school with a state-approved curriculum including Amplify, CKLA, Guidebooks and Eureka Math to empower each student’s learning style. University View Academy goes from elementary to high school.

Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy is an online public school, and students work at their own pace with a personalized education experience. The K12 curriculum focuses on core subjects like ELA, history, math, art and science along with a self-guided course in music or world language. Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy goes from kindergarten to 12th grade.

To learn more about Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy, visit https://lavca.k12.com/.