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National Education Roadshow at Award-Winning St. Mary’s Academy

February 3, 2025

One of the Oldest African-American Girls School in the Nation

NEW ORLEANS, LA. On Monday, February 10th, The Center for Education Reform will launch its multi-state Roadshow for Opportunity to the campuses of 2024 Yass Prize winners, starting in New Orleans, Louisiana on Super Bowl Monday, to St. Mary’s Academy in the 9th Ward. 

A 2024 Yass Prize finalist and winner of a $500,000 STOP Award to help them expand to more students, St. Mary’s Academy is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education for its African American, all-female student body. 

Two of its students were featured on 60 minutes for using trigonometry to solve the 2,000 Pythagorean Theorem, underscoring how the academy challenges its students to high expectations of academic, social, emotional, and spiritual rigor. The school empowers students through leadership programs, such as the Henriette DeLille Institute and STEM-focused partnerships, and celebrates a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduates. With a strong emphasis on community engagement, diversity, and innovative teaching, SMA prepares its students to thrive as compassionate leaders and lifelong learners.

The event, which is open to the press, begins at 9:30 am with a school tour, followed by a student panel, and ending with a roundtable discussion with special guests including:

  • Dr. Laura Cassidy, Louisiana Key Academy Founder 
  • Kelby Woodard, Cristo Rey Network CEO
  • Wade Moore, Urban Preparatory School Founder & Dean
  • Anthony Brock, Valiant Cross Academy Co-Founder
  • And policymakers, and other national education leaders

Details as follows:
9:45 am
School tour; 
10:30 am Student and Parent Panel; 
11:00 am Roundtable Discussion

WHERE:
St. Mary’s Academy
6905 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70126

This event is closed to the public. However, members of the media who wish to attend or  interview participants should contact:

Caroline Allen
Chief Program Officer, Center for Education Reform 
[email protected]
203-445-3074

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