It’s time for cluttered kitchen tables and projects galore—as kids head back to school, there’s bound to be some added bustle around the house. You can find some peace of mind, though, and make transitions easy next season by preparing now. A variety of schools across Greater New Orleans and the Gulf South offer unique learning opportunities while putting their own spin on childhood education. Outside of the classroom, local organizations and businesses add to the fun with events, extra curricular opportunities, and new clothes for the school year. The following info may be helpful as your child learns and grows.
K - 12 / Continuous Education
Arden Cahill Academy
Arden Cahill Academy combines a strong education with the unique qualities of an outdoor country environment minutes from downtown. Nestled along Bayou Fatma in Gretna, the 12-acre campus currently serves students from six weeks in its Infant Center through 12th grade in its High School. Arden Cahill Academy graduated its first class of high school seniors in May of 2023 and is proud to continue its tradition of academic excellence and cultural enrichment through its college preparatory curriculum.
Horse stables, a petting farm, a STEAM Lab, art studios, band and music rooms, and a 300-seat theater make the Arden Cahill Academy campus unique. The academy also hosts Cahill Camp Corral, a 10-week summer camp that has been voted the #1 summer camp for three years in a row by readers of Gambit Weekly.
Interested families are encouraged to register online at ardencahillacademy.com to attend a weekly tour or attend the Fall Open House on October 24th, 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Ursuline Academy
Ursuline Academy is an all-girls Catholic school offering a diverse educational environment from six weeks through 12th grade. Founded in 1727, Ursuline Academy of New Orleans enjoys the distinction of being the first all-girls Catholic school in the United States. As girls progress through the academy, a highly interactive approach exposes them to increasingly complex concepts in STEM and the arts that go beyond learning the material. Ursuline girls learn to think creatively, articulate their ideas confidently and compassionately, and solve problems collaboratively. Ursuline’s all-girls environment empowers students to challenge themselves, explore outside their comfort zones, and expand what they are capable of achieving.
At Ursuline, students blaze their own trails—it’s the school’s legacy. Make it yours, too. Register for an open house at go.uanola.org. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 504-866-5292 or admissions@uanola.org.
St. Martin’s Episcopal School
St. Martin’s Episcopal School is a coeducational, independent college preparatory school for students from eight weeks old through 12th grade. St. Martin’s rigorous curriculum, balanced with small class sizes and an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and leadership, prepares students not only to thrive in excellent colleges but to also lead meaningful and productive lives.
This year, St. Martin’s welcomes its 10th Head of School, Whitney Samuel Drennan ’94, the school’s first alum to serve as its head. Drennan returns to St. Martin’s after serving for more than 20 years at Louise S. McGehee School, where she was the Head of Lower School. Drennan holds a Bachelor’s degree, Cum Laude, in Early Childhood Education and Special Education Hearing Impairment and a Master’s of Education from the University of New Orleans.
Learn more about St. Martin’s when you visit the beautiful 18-acre campus for a personal tour or attend an Open House. For more information or to schedule a personal tour, please call the Admission Office at 504-736-9917. Visit St. Martin’s on the web at stmsaints.com/admissions.
Early Education
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is the oldest Episcopal school in New Orleans with 66 years of experience in educating the mind, body, and spirit of young children. St. Andrew’s enrolls boys and girls 12 months through eighth grade, offering a nurturing yet challenging education that focuses on “Cherishing Childhood, Developing Character and Cultivating Leaders.”
St. Andrew’s students love to build things—building a rocket for science class, a set for a school play, building friendships, or building upon the lessons they learn. More importantly, St. Andrew’s aims to build up each child’s self-esteem because helping them believe in themselves means they’ll have a strong foundation to build their future. With smaller class sizes, children have the individual attention they need to thrive.
Those looking for a school to nurture their child’s love of learning and to build self-esteem, leadership skills, and social skills will discover it at St. Andrew’s. See the school in action by scheduling a personal tour online. For more information, visit saesnola.org/admissions.
Kehoe-France
Kehoe-France is a school known for offering transformative and meaningful academic experiences that instill a lifelong love of learning, leadership, and service. A nurturing and engaging environment for children as young as eight weeks through 7th grade, Kehoe-France sets children on a path to discovery while developing the skills they need to be productive citizens of a global community. Each student experiences a rigorous and balanced curriculum focused on developing the whole child and preparing them to succeed and make lasting relationships in an increasingly connected and innovative world.
As part of the International Schools Partnership, Kehoe-France is one of a growing group of private schools committed to improving schools and learning opportunities for students across the world. For more information on the school and admissions, call 504-733-0472 or visit kehoe-france.com.
Coastal Episcopal School
Coastal Episcopal School, located in Long Beach, Mississippi, boasts a 70+ year tradition of excellence in early childhood and elementary education. Driven by a mission of instilling a life-long love of learning in each student, CES provides a joyful, unique, and nurturing Judeo-Christian community where students hone the life skills necessary to imagine and create a better world.
Serving toddlers through sixth grade—including a transitional, bridge-year kindergarten class—CES offers students a well-rounded, STEAM-based curricula in its classrooms, Gail Keenan Gallery’s art and music studios, and Seemann Makerspace. Daily chapel, a place of joy where students and staff begin their day as a family in prayer and song, also provides students with opportunities to develop confidence by presenting in front of peers and adults.
Located on a beautiful 25-acre campus, CES prioritizes learning both in and out of the classroom, offering activities to motivate observation, discovery, and interpretation in addition to after school care, quarterly enrichment programs, clubs, sports, and overnight trips. To schedule a tour and learn more about enrollment, email admissions@myces.org or visit coastepiscopalschool.org.
Jewish Community Day School
Jewish Community Day School of Greater New Orleans (JCDS) is a coeducational independent school for students ages two months through 6th grade, with plans to expand through seventh grade in 2026 and eighth grade in 2027. Balancing challenging academics with an enriching Jewish Studies program, a JCDS education is interdisciplinary, project-based, and holistic.
The school’s small class size and differentiated instruction ensure each child is valued for their individual strengths. Students bring what they’ve learned at JCDS beyond the school’s boundaries, too, using their education to fulfill the Jewish value of Tikkun Olum, repairing the world.
JCDS is a nurturing school where families of all backgrounds are welcomed and children are prepared to be engaged, compassionate leaders.
The school’s fall open house takes place on Sunday, October 22 at 12 p.m. To learn more or schedule a tour, please call 504-887-4091 or email admissions@jcdsnola.org.
Stuart Hall School for Boys
Since 1984, Stuart Hall has offered a unique faith-based environment for the Catholic education of boys from preschool through seventh grade. Their motto is “Leaders for Life.” They inspire boys to be lifelong leaders—throughout school, in their homes, in their careers, and in their words. Faith, Scholarship, Leadership, and Honor are the foundations upon which Stuart Hall builds future leaders of the community.
Stuart Hall holds membership in The Archdiocese of New Orleans, Independent Schools of the Southwest, National Association of Independent Schools, and the Independent Boys’ Schools Coalition. To schedule a private tour of the campus located at 2032 S. Carrollton Avenue, visit stuarthall.org or call 504-861-1954.
High School
Mount Carmel Academy
The Mount Carmel Academy experience is filled with opportunities for each student to pursue her passions, uncover new talents, grow spiritually, and discover the person God created her to become. Students collaborate with peers, view failures as opportunities for growth, and approach an ever-changing and complex world with an inquisitive mind.
Small class sizes (average of fifteen) ensure an interactive and inclusive learning environment. Students are encouraged to expand their interests as they navigate through more than 50 extracurricular activities and become active participants in the community through the school’s service learning program. Graduates depart from Mount Carmel Academy with confidence in themselves and a love for each other. They are well-prepared for college and beyond.
Explore the Mount Carmel Academy campus, meet students and teachers, and learn more at an Open House on October 12 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. RSVP on mcacubs.com.
Benjamin Franklin High School
Find your spark at Franklin—with curious and creative high-achieving students from every ZIP code in the city, Benjamin Franklin High School revels in its diversity. A five-time Blue Ribbon school with dozens of electives and Advanced Placement classes, 20 sports teams, and over 50 clubs, Ben Franklin challenges students and allows them to discover their passions.
Visit bfhsla.org to learn more about the school and its Open House on October 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Beyond the Classroom
Love Swimming Swim School
Enjoy learning to swim at Love Swimming Swim School’s indoor pools on South Front Street. Founded in 2002 to bring education, safety, and passion to the sport of swimming for children in New Orleans, Love Swimming Swim School holds year-round swimming classes for ages six months to adult.
Love Swimming offers lessons tailored to each child’s strengths to build life-saving skills in the pool. Its facilities use heated, indoor pools to create an ideal learning environment for swimmers. Love Swimming believes a child’s comfort is key to accelerating the learning process and development of skills such as swimming.
Swimmers love the Love Swimming Swim School because its instructors make class fun, and parents love the Love Swimming Swim School because its instructors are effective. Sign up for lessons today at loveswimming.com.
Louisiana Children's Museum
Make play a priority. In the business of getting "back to school," it's easy to forget that playtime serves an important role in childhood development. Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) encourages learning, exploration, and shared connections through play. Throughout the museum you’ll find tips for encouraging early literacy skills while your child works on math skills in the Follow that Food kitchen and makes new discoveries in the outdoor landscape. Stop by after school or plan a day of play to take part in LCM's daily programming. Become an LCM member to save on a year of unlimited play.
Celebrate your child’s birthday party at LCM. Enjoy a full day of play for up to 45 guests. Your child makes the day awesome; LCM makes it easy and stress free. The museum now offers private after-hours parties to celebrate a birthday "Big Time." To learn more about LCM or plan a day of play, visit lcm.org or call 504-523-1357.
Back to School Shopping
Perlis Clothing
From classes to games to parties, your one-stop clothing store is PERLIS in Uptown New Orleans, French Quarter, Mandeville, and Baton Rouge. Complement your activewear, casual, and dress casual wardrobe with the latest selections from top quality labels: Barbour, Bonobos, Duck Head, Johnnie O, Patagonia, Peter Millar, Queen of Sparkles, Smathers & Branson, Sparkle City, Southern Marsh, Southern Tide, Tasc, Vineyard Vines, Vuori, 34 Heritage, and more.
"We are continuously adding to our iconic crawfish logo collection of polos, tees, sun shirts, sport shirts, and other items that are recognizable not only locally but around the country," says David W. Perlis, President. "We constantly seek the best quality clothing and fashion for our customers."
For 84 years, PERLIS has been committed to complete customer satisfaction and unparalleled service including complimentary lifetime alterations. Stop by any PERLIS location, call 800 725-6070, or shop online at perlis.com.
Healthcare Resources
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is devoted to its mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Have your children had a checkup this year? A checkup is a great way to check in on your children’s well-being, development, and mental health. It’s also the best way to make sure your children stay up to date on immunizations. Children need routine vaccines at different ages, from infancy through college. Immunization protects them against serious illnesses like measles, polio, and whooping cough. It also lowers the risk of them spreading these diseases to others. And, everyone six months and older should get a flu shot every fall—this gives you the best protection during peak flu season.
Call your children’s healthcare provider and schedule a checkup today—especially if it’s been more than a year since their last one. And, make plans now to get your flu shot. For more information, call 1-800-495-2583 or visit bcbsla.com.
