The only public high school in the Lower Ninth Ward closes after years of declining enrollment and low test scores, according to the Orleans Parish School Board. All students were reassigned to other schools in advance, Council member Oliver Thomas said in an email.

“The closure is deeply unfortunate, especially for families of the Lower 9th where I grew up and still have deep roots,” Thomas said. “The Orleans Parish School Board made this decision under their accountability framework, and it reflects years of declining enrollment and challenges in the community.”

Thomas said no students were left without placement and his focus is on ensuring safe transportation, reliable services, and has confidence their children are in stable school settings.

He said the neighborhood was already facing transportation difficulties, limited childcare and, few after-school options. “Losing the only high school makes those challenges heavier and takes away an anchor of the community,” Thomas said.

The council member said bringing a high school back requires more than opening a building.

 “We can’t just put a school back without addressing the conditions that led to declining enrollment in the first place,” he said. “That means supporting job growth, housing, and investment so that families return and schools can thrive again.”

Thomas said he is working with the school board, community leaders and families to explore real pathways to a future high school while also driving neighborhood investment. 

“Anytime a school is taken away from a community, challenges can grow, whether it’s longer travel times, fewer after-school opportunities, or less connection to the neighborhood,” he said.

The Orleans Parish School Board voted for the closure under its accountability framework after years of declining enrollment and poor performance, board officials said.