Management Change at Linwood Public Charter School

Students at Linwood Public Charter School participating in educational activities

News Summary

Linwood Public Charter School in Shreveport will undergo a significant management transition as approved by the Louisiana State Education Board. Third Future Schools is set to take over management from the 2025-2026 school year. Despite being rated a ‘D’ school, Linwood has shown improvement, increasing its simulated index score to 50% in 2023. The upcoming BESE vote on April 9, 2025, will further determine the future direction of the school, which serves around 700 students from underserved families.

Exciting Changes Ahead for Linwood Public Charter School in Shreveport!

Shreveport is buzzing with news that the Louisiana State Education Board has given the green light for a major management transition at Linwood Public Charter School. This decision comes as the state looks to improve education quality and outcomes for the students currently enrolled at this institution. The transfer of management is set to take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, and many are hopeful this will lead to positive changes for the school community.

Third Future Schools to Step In

According to officials from the Louisiana Department of Education, Third Future Schools, based in Colorado, has been recommended to take over the management of Linwood Public Charter School. This is significant since Linwood has been operating under a year-to-year management agreement with the state since 2017. The state had even considered shutting down the school but ultimately decided that a management transfer might be the better option.

A Ray of Hope for Improvement

Linwood’s CEO has shared that despite recently being rated as a “D” school under Louisiana’s grading system, there have been noteworthy improvements in performance. They reported that the school’s simulated index score has jumped from 41.4% in the 2020-2021 school year to 50% in 2023. While this is progress, challenges still loom large, primarily stemming from issues around hiring qualified teachers due to the uncertainty of a year-to-year contract.

About the Student Body

Currently, Linwood serves around 700 students in grades K-3 and 6-8, with a significant portion coming from underserved families. This demographic is a key focus for the school, and with the new management on the horizon, many hope for renewed energy and strategies to better support these students and their families.

Upcoming BESE Vote

Mark your calendars! The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is set to vote on this management transfer on April 9, 2025. Members of BESE are optimistic that Third Future Schools can deliver the kinds of results they’ve achieved at other institutions, such as Prescott Academy in Baton Rouge.

Facilitating Communication

As this transition nears, there are concerns from Linwood’s faculty and staff regarding communication. Many feel left out of the loop concerning the impending management change. The Louisiana Recovery School District (RSD), which aims to transform failing schools, has a crucial role in guiding this process.

Facing Challenges and Opportunities

Linwood has not met the state’s requirements to continue operating under the RSD, with previous performance scores dropping as low as an “F”. Despite this, the discussions around Linwood candidates express an underlying hope for better educational outcomes in Shreveport as a whole.

A Comprehensive Approach to Improvement

A holistic approach is being discussed among policymakers to address the educational challenges in the region, paving the way for collaborative planning among local school districts. The presence of a healthcare clinic at Linwood, managed by David Raines Community Health Centers, adds another layer of support for the student body, ensuring access to essential health care for these underserved kids.

What Lies Ahead?

With the proposed management change and the BESE vote approaching, the community is eager to find out how these developments will unfold. The hope is that through the collaboration with Third Future Schools, Linwood will see a brighter path to success, better supporting its students and their families while fostering a positive learning environment. Fingers crossed for what lies ahead for Linwood Public Charter School!