Louisiana Connections Academy
1
2014–15 School Profile
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Our History
Louisiana Connections Academy is an accredited,
public school serving students in grades K–12 from
across the state. Our students come from urban,
suburban, and rural communities. The school
was founded during the 2011-2012 school year
as a Kindergarten through twelfth grade school.
Louisiana Connections Academy’s first 12th grade
class graduated in June 2012.
Our Mission
Louisiana Connections Academy will help each
student maximize his or her potential and meet the
highest performance standards through a uniquely
individualized learning program.
OUR PROGRAM
Louisiana Connections Academy includes a fouryear comprehensive high school program and a
three-year accelerated comprehensive program
with an enrollment of 1800 students. Here are some
important facts about the Louisiana program:
•The school uses Connection Academy’s program,
which is accredited by AdvancEd. Louisiana
Connection Academy is a 2012-2013 accreditation
candidate, SACS (Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools)
•Louisiana Connections Academy has 75 certified/
licensed professional staff. Of those, 32 have
earned advanced degrees and 3 are Nationally
Board Certified.
•School is in session 180 days between the months
of August and June.
•Louisiana Connections Academy offers students
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options through dual
enrollment programs throughout the state.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION:
Board President: Wade Henderson
Lead Principal: Glenda Jones
Principals: HS- Shuanessy Matthews, ES- Rebecca Stumpf
Assistant Principals: MS / HS- Julie Marie
Director of Special Ed: Christie Jackson
Manager of Counseling: Laura Woods
Counseling Staff: Keonta Johnson, Shelby Simpson
Caycee Terrel-Vining, Lauren Loyd
SAMPLING OF UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES
Students in the Class of 2013-14 were accepted to
the following colleges:
Alfred University, Baylor University, BirminghamSouthern College, Fordham University, Hendrix
College, Johnson & Wales University: Denver
Johnson & Wales University: Providence, Judson
College, Louisiana College, Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Tech University
Loyola University New Orleans, Millsaps College
Mississippi University for Women, Nicholls State
University, Our Lady of Holy Cross College
Prescott College, Roanoke College, Southeastern
Louisiana University, Southern Methodist University
Spring Hill College, St. Ambrose University
St. John’s University, Texas Christian University
Texas Southern University, University of Arkansas
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of
Louisiana at Monroe, University of Mobile
University of New Orleans, University of WisconsinWhitewater
Continued on page 2
Louisiana Connections Academy | CEEB Code #190196 | ConnectionsAcademy.com | © 2014 Connections Education LLC.
8281 Goodwood Blvd., Suite J, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 | Fax: 225-448-2798 | Phone: 225-372-8389
Louisiana Connections Academy
2
2014–15 School Profile
•LACA offers an accelerated three-year program in which students take
8 classes per semester and attend summer school for two years to
students who are interested.
•Louisiana Connections Academy has implemented a Freshmen Academy
to assist students in the transition from eighth grade to high school.
Freshmen teachers work collaboratively and meet regularly to ensure all
students experience a smooth transition into high school.
•Louisiana Connections offer Career Area Pathways so students can
enroll in courses unique to their career area of interest.
•Students may choose one of two state diplomas for graduation, the
Core 4 Diploma Curriculum or Basic Core Diploma Curriculum. Each
diploma will ensure College and Workforce Readiness after graduation.
•Students enrolled in Louisiana Connections Academy will be
administered state required assessments – LEAP, iLEAP, EOC, PARCC,
ACT, PLAN and EXPLORE Students will travel to assigned sites
throughout the state and be tested by certified personnel. As Louisiana
Connections Academy is a public charter school, students must
participate in the appropriate state assessment.
•The state of Louisiana offers students the opportunity to earn college
tuition through TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students).
Students must earn a 2.5 GPA on TOPS courses and a score of 20 on
the ACT.
COURSE OFFERINGS
Louisiana Connections Academy offers a diverse and comprehensive
curriculum, with courses in a wide range of disciplines. The core
curriculum is geared toward preparing students for college and beyond.
All science courses include hands-on laboratory units. Students have
access to AP, Honors, College Preparatory and Basic programs. Students
also have the opportunity to participate in Post-Secondary Enrollment
Options (PSEO) program, whereby they can earn dual high school and
college credit by attending post-secondary institutions.
AP course offerings include: Art History, Biology, Calculus, English
Language/Composition, English Literature/Composition, Environmental
Science, Human Geography, Physics, Psychology, Statistics, US History,
US Government. Most of these courses are offered through the National
Connections Academy.
TESTING STATISTICS
Each year, students in grades
3-11 participate in state
assessments. Each of the
state’s assessments is based
on grade level expectations,
which reflect the knowledge
and skills students should have
acquired at the time of testing.
Students do not receive a pass
or fail grade, but receive an
achievement level score.
College Testing for 2013–14
ACT.....................................19.2
AP results for 2013–14:
12 students took exams in
Psychology, English Language
and Composition, Art History,
Physics, English Literature
and Composition, Human
Geography, Computer
Science. Five students scored
a 3, two students scored 4’s
and one student scored a 5 on
the AP Exams.
Louisiana Connections Academy
3
2014–15 School Profile
Honors course offerings include: Algebra, Geometry, Precalculus,
English, Biology, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, American
Government, United States History, World History
FUTURE PLANS FOR THE
CLASS OF 2014
GRADING SCALE
Plan
%
Student transcripts reflect weighted grades if the student took Honors or
Advanced Placement courses. The numerical grading scale is as follows:
Two-year plan
37.8
Four-year college
53.3
Numerical
Percentage
Employment
2.2
Grade
Vocational Training
2.2
A
93–100
Military
3.3
B
85–92
C
75–84
D
67–74
F
0–66
WEIGHTED GRADING SCALE:
Weighted grading scale is available for students who take AP and Honors
courses.
CLASS RANK POLICY
Louisiana Connections Academy will calculate the class rank for each high
school two times per year, shortly after the conclusion of each semester.
Students who have not yet successfully completed any high school
courses for credit directly from Connections Academy will be excluded
from the class rank calculation.
For the purpose of calculating the class rank, the student’s cumulative
Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) will be used for determining class rank.
Courses transferred from other institutions will also be included in the
class rank as long as there is a grade assigned for that course.
The cumulative G.P.A. is calculated to the hundredth of a point. Students
whose class rank rounds off to the same thousandth of a point will be
considered tied and will receive the same class rank. The ranking will
compare students within the same grade level at the same school. The
class rank is not included on the student’s official high school transcript.
HIGH SCHOOL VIRTUAL VISITATION
College and University representatives are cordially invited to connect
with our students through web-conferencing technology. A two-week
advanced notice is greatly appreciated so that we have time to notify
students. For more information about setting up a web-conference
session please contact Shelby Simpson at 985-474-2335
Transcript Abbreviations
NaCA ICS
National Connections Academy
CR
Credit Recovery
OC
Summer School
Louisiana Connections Academy
2014–15 School Profile
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR THE 2013/14
SCHOOL YEAR:
The LACA Graduating class of 2014 received Scholarships in the amount
totaling $922,115.00.
Area/Subjects
# Units for Graduation
Language Arts
4
Math
4
Science
4
Social Studies
4
Health
0.5
Physical Education
1.5
Foreign Language
2
Humanities & Arts
1
Other Electives
3
Total
24
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Twenty-four (24) Carnegie units of credits are required for Core 4
graduation. Specific requirements include:
The Basic Core Curriculum requires 24 Carnegie units for graduation: 4
units of English and Math; 3 units of Science and Social Studies; 1 unit of
Education for Careers; 7 elective units in a Career Area of Concentration;
Health and Physical Education requirements remain the same.
4