Lusher Charter School

Wow! This is, without a doubt, not just one of the best schools in New Orleans- it has to be one of the best schools in the United States. We have done it all: private school, parochial, and "blue ribbon" public in the northeast. Lusher leaves them all in the dust. Th arts-based education is what most parents only dream of: the perfect combination of academics and the music and art that make New Orleans special. Every morning the children have an outdoor concert with dancing, the pride rules emphasize kindness, and the parental involvement is second-to-none. We received a very generous job offer in another state, but refused it to keep the children at Lusher. I'm just jealous I didn't get to attend myself.
—Submitted by a parent

(continued from prev review) of the class, at the expense of going through more curriculum. While this is certainly appreciable, there are some kids who just don't have a very great appreciation for learning. There should be programs to encourage those who fall behind, as well as reward those who are a cut above their class. That being said, I realize the financial constraints these programs may impose on the school, and the "gifted program" does attempt to address this. However, the very nature of the gifted program at NOPS is a faulty one. The school receives greater funding for reporting more gifted students, so naturally it does. Consequently, what we get is a system where a large majority of the kids are gifted when they shouldn't be. This means the teaching process is not ideal. It goes too fast for some kids and not fast enough for others. Some kids fall behind in a vicious cycle, and the best and brightest don't reach their full potential. Lusher isn't ideal for everyone, but I have known plenty of people who went through Lusher, Ben Franklin, and then on to great colleges (myself included). In retrospect, there are many superior schools throughout the country - private

Lusher is an amazing school. It's student body is diverse. The arts focus is strong and strengthens the academics. The leadership is focused and consistent. The students are challenged. Overall the experience is far stronger and more rounded because of the addition of the arts, something that places Lusher heads and tails above its academics-only rivals. Two of my three children graduated from Lusher; the third (who attended the "other" academically superior high school) wishes she had stayed.
—Submitted by a parent

Lusher is a great school, academically. There are many things, though, that it can change. Even as a charter school, I feel that each year I am asked more and more for money that I don't see benefiting my child whatsoever. Lusher staff holds grudges on students that have messed up in the past a little and they don't treat all of their students fairly.
—Submitted by a parent

dedicated teachers that make students think for themselves
—Submitted by a parent

My graduated in 2009 and had a fabulous experience being a "Lusher" kid! I love the programs, teachers, staff and the unique students who attend.
—Submitted by a parent

I love everything about this school...the teachers and staff are incredible. May daughter adores her teachers and her studies! This is a grade A school. A+ A+ A+
—Submitted by a parent

Lusher is a great community school.

Boys of color receive harsh discipline and large numbers of suspensions. This school lacks cultural competence. The school has little oversight and can treat students and parents as the administration chooses.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school. The parent involvement is good, the teachers diverse, and the atmosphere is great! It is the best school in New Orleans.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the diversity and the community that is created.
—Submitted by a parent

Best public school in New Orleans. Great Arts program.
—Submitted by a parent

Lusher has excellent and caring teachers and staff!
—Submitted by a parent

I love its diversity and emphasis on the arts. Lusher has an hour-long exploratories class every day. The students attend a different arts-related subject for two-month time slots through out the year. Each child gets an opportunity to try dance, drama, visual art, music (including time with instruments) and sports as well, during the school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Lusher Charter School is very close to our home. It has a stellar learning environment where the children are treated as individuals. My daughter is a sophomore and is working on her second college course.
—Submitted by a parent

Compared to most, Lusher is a very untraditional school which is why it was such a good fit for me. All the students here tend to be very different yet also very accepting of each other, and while some kind blow off school work (which I suppose is why I've met some people who say Lusher is the 'easy school'), I've found my classes to be fairly challenging. Honestly you get out what you put in here which has so far been pretty worth it for me. The arts here are probably some of the best programs in the city, so if you're looking for a good arts education without having to be as focused on it as you might at NOCCA then it's a pretty nice mixture. But again, you get out what you put into it.
—Submitted by a student

faculty, parental involvement and support, arts training, diversity
—Submitted by a parent

With 3 children, I have been a parent of a Lusher student for over 8 years. The best part about Lusher is the caring nature of the envirionment, the racial and economic diversity and the immersion of the arts. The teachers there amaze me every day, they go above and beyond. When discussing another high school option, my son emphasized, 'Sure, the teachers there care about how the school does, but at Lusher, they care about you. That said it all.
—Submitted by a parent

While Lusher has so wonderful positive aspects, there is just too much work piled on the kids. Knowing that college adults spend maybe 3 hours at school per day and sometimes have maybe an hour or two of homework, the kids at Lusher having 6-10 hours of school work plus homework is a bit ridiculous.
—Submitted by a parent

The school needs more oversight. They do not handle children well who do not fit the 'Lusher way'
—Submitted by a parent