Helix Construction Progresses

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

Construction and enrollment for the Helix Artificial Intelligence And Medical Academy classroom building is apparently continuing on schedule, according to school CEO and president Preston Castille.

Castille recently provided St. Landry Parish School Board members with a construction update for the 42,000 square foot building which Castille thinks should be ready for classroom occupancy at the start of the 2025-26 academic year.

Currently Castille said, there are about 300 applications for enrollment for students who reside in St. Landry.

Although Helix Academy is designated as a charter school, the project, approved in 2022, will not count against the state enrollment formula, District officials have said.

Curriculum and academic achievement at the Helix Academy will be overseen by the District.

Castille said 56 percent of the applications are from schools located within the District. Another 12 percent are enrolled in private education. Nine percent are attending charter schools.

Groundbreaking for the Helix Academy, which will begin as a kindergarten through fifth grade school occurred in August.

Castille said Helix Academy, located on 17 acres behind Our Savior’s Church off Interstate 49 south of Opelousas, will be able to accommodate about 600 students.

By 2026, Castille said the developed school model will expand Helix to grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

Castille told the Board that in addition to teaching core curriculum subjects required by the state, the AI and medical academy offers two major career pathways.

The medical field curriculum will be laboratory-based and focused on biology, anatomy and microbiology.

Those trending towards AI will be exposed to robotics and mechanical application, said Castille.