Administrators at the International School of Louisiana have decided to abandon an unpopular plan to create separate elementary and middle schools at the Camp Street and Algiers campuses, and will instead try to preserve the current K-8 structure at each by finding more space for the Eastbank students next year, they have announced.
Modular classrooms at the Camp Street location or a new satellite facility nearby remain the most likely options, and will be discussed at the Nov. 28 board meeting, according to the following email from Head of School Sean Wilson:
Dear Parents:
Thank you for your patience and feedback during the last couple of weeks.
We have decided to take the Camp Street – Olivier Street split-campus idea off the table for 2013-14. Many things factored into this decision, including: our desire to keep grades K-8 in closer proximity to each other, opposition from a significant number of ISL families, and our projection that the Camp Street facility would be pressed for space again in 2-3 years even in a K-4 environment.
A number of factors have contributed to overcrowding at Camp Street, most notably a decrease in attrition over the last few years, which we attribute to our continuing academic success. We are very proud of this success and all the hard work behind it, but lower attrition and our immersion model present a particular challenge for space management. Long-term, to keep kindergarten through 8th grade classes on one campus, we believe ISL will need a campus designed for about 1000 students. In the meantime, we need at least eight additional classrooms during the next three to five years to handle our current enrollment trend.
Administration and the Board will continue to work together over the next several months to evaluate the many good ideas that have been suggested, *including use of modular classrooms or nearby facilities, and will schedule several public meetings to keep parents informed of our progress and to seek feedback. Please put the November 28 board meeting on your calendars, as that will be the next opportunity for public dialogue.
We are confident that, with all of us working together, we will come to a decision that is best for our children and that is reflective of the teamwork we cherish at ISL.
Thank you for your continued support and for your valuable feedback on this challenge.
Sincerely,
Sean Wilson
Head of School/CEO
