Our Vision

The vision of Las Sierras Academy is to prepare all scholars for college success, inspired to share their voices and exceed any expectation.

ABOUT LAS SIERRAS ACADEMY (LSA)

What is Las Sierras Academy?

Las Sierras Academy is a one-year immersive program for scholars who are new to the country to develop their English language proficiency alongside content-knowledge to increase their success at their home schools. There are about 700 students who are newcomers in the city of New Orleans who need intensive support and programming in order to grow rapidly in English proficiency. This is the first Newcomer program in the city, and is absolutely essential for our scholars in high school in order to provide them with the tools necessary to graduate on time and to access any postsecondary opportunity. Las Sierras will set scholars on a pathway to be successful academically and in their careers.


Who can attend Las Sierras Academy and how?

In the 2021-2022 school year, scholars must be currently enrolled in one of the following schools: Abramson Sci Academy, G.W. Carver High School, Livingston Collegiate Academy, or Rosenwald Collegiate Academy. A scholar enrolled in any Collegiate Academies school (listed above) may enter into Las Sierras Academy when they are referred by their home-school.

Who is eligible for the program?

We’ve seen that students at a LAS level 3 or above are able to perform on state exams like LEAP2025. The goal of this program is to therefore support scholars in reaching this level of proficiency. Students new to the country and at LAS levels 1 and 2 are eligible.

What credits do scholars receive?

Scholars will receive instruction in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE and an Art elective: a total of 6 credits towards graduation. LSA will work with scholars’ home schools to build their Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP) and their Language Acquisition Plan (LAP).


How long is the program?

Scholars may be in the program for no more than two consecutive semesters. However, they may ‘test out’ after one semester if they’ve reached their English proficiency goals on the LAS links and on the MAP reading assessment.




When does the program start?

To build community at their home schools and to ensure new scholars are screened on the LAS and the ELPS, scholars will attend orientation at their schools before attending a second orientation at Las Sierras Academy. Orientation dates TBA.


Where is the program located?

Las Sierras will be housed in a wing of G.W. Carver High School (3059 Higgins Blvd.) for the 21-22 academic year.


What other services will scholars receive while in the program?

While in the program, scholars will receive robust wrap-around services including but not limited to:

  • Bilingual Cultural dean

  • SUS liaison tracking to ensure scholars are on path to permanent residency

  • Bilingual career counseling

  • Bilingual counseling and boy’s and girls’ trauma groups in Spanish

  • Support and therapeutic groups for new mothers

  • Partnerships with legal representation

  • Bilingual clinic access

  • Food pantry


What supports and services will families receive while their scholars are in the program?

The program will support and inform families on how to navigate the educational structures in the United States. Family support will include:

  • Regular family communication on academic progress

  • Working with families to navigate and leverage appropriate agency and legal supports to optimize their child’s education and post graduate opportunities

  • Parent trainings on laws and policies that impact their child’s support structures and on how to navigate educational structures in high school and in college

  • Each family is assigned an SUS liaison as well as a case manager to collaborate with throughout the school-year and beyond


What does transportation look like for the program?

Carver will arrange transportation/bussing for all scholars within the program to its campus each day. Transportation to and from scholars’ home campuses for unique culture events will be arranged by scholars’ home schools.


What uniform will scholars wear?

Scholars will be required to wear a Las Sierras Academy polo or t-shirt, or a polo or t-shirt from their home school. They will wear khaki pants, plaid pants, or a plaid skirt. If wearing pants, they will wear a belt. Scholars will be required to follow Carver’s uniform policy while on campus.


How will scholars receive school-related materials?

Scholars will be provided with technology from their home school. They will be required to purchase a backpack, pencils, pens and paper. Any curriculum specific items will be provided by Las Sierras Academy.



More Questions?

Contact Emma Merrill, Program Director, at emerrill@collegiateacademies.org or

visit Las Sierras Academy at 3059 Higgins Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126