About The FirstLine Schools Network
FirstLine Schools operates five open-enrollment public charter schools in New Orleans:
- Arthur Ashe Charter School
- John Dibert Community School
- Samuel J. Green Charter School
- Langston Hughes Academy
- J.S. Clark Preparatory High School
Our mission is to create and inspire great public schools in New Orleans. To fulfill that mission, we provide a caring community where students acquire the academic foundation necessary for success in high school and college. We also offer a wide variety of activities that nurture students' intellectual, social and moral growth.
FirstLine’s leaders are committed to sustainability and quality in public education. In 1992, they founded James Lewis Extension School, which they later converted to a charter school, the first in New Orleans. This school, New Orleans Charter Middle School, became the highest-performing open enrollment public middle school in the city between the school’s opening in 1999 until 2005, when the flooding from Hurricane Katrina destroyed the school building.
Our students live in every part of the city, with free yellow school bus transportation to our schools.
Our four elementary schools and high school serve 2500 students. All schools offer innovative programs for students – including the nationally acclaimed Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. We are also committed to developing our teachers, through innovative partnerships and ongoing professional development. And we work with our families to develop investment in our campuses and kids - you might be invited to a family food night, or cheer on our athletics teams!
FirstLine is a family dedicated to education, for life.
