Last fall the Red River Academic Academy was introduced. It serves fifth graders who struggled academically and were in danger of not advancing to grade six. The new school was located at Springville Education Center and had about 20 students.
Superintendent Alison Hughes told the Red River Parish School Board at the meeting March 9th it was a success. “We have had nothing but positive comments from parents and students,” said Hughes. She added, “Results seen with student growth is good. We feel it is time to expand that program. We are proposing to expand to include two more grade levels.”
Karen Squires laid out the plans of the proposal to add twenty students who would be entering fourth grade and twenty students who would be entering fifth grade. Squires said, “These are students who are struggling to read and do the math curriculum. There will be no behavioral and attendance problem students.”
The plan calls for three teachers. Squires said they will come from teachers already employed by the school district.
Red River Parish is the only school system in the state granted an alternative school based strictly on academics. Hughes said, “It is significant to move struggling students into another setting where they can experience success.”
Red River Academic Academy is a year around school. It will begin the next year on July 20th.
Note: This presentation was made to the school board prior to the suspension of classes due to the COVIS-19 virus.