Jan. 3, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joelle Polisky at 615-516-0358
Registration opens for École Saint-Landry,
French immersion in Sunset
École Saint-Landry readies for its second year for kinder, 1st and 2nd grades
Media is invited to schedule a visit to the school.
Sunset, Louisiana. — Registration for École Saint-Landry’s second year opens today.
“We are so honored to work to provide St. Landry Parish parents this amazing educational option for their children,” said Lindsay Smythe, École Saint-Landry school leader. “Our first year as a school has exceeded all expectations. We look forward to the growth the new academic year will bring to our community. We continue to be inspired and empowered by this region’s heritage and identity.”
For the 2022-2023 academic year, École Saint-Landry, a public charter school, will offer 60 kinder students the chance to be a part of the second year of classes. Additionally, limited first and second grade slots are available for students, including 12 seats available for first grade — second grade students will be accepted on a case by case basis. As with all public schools, École Saint-Landry will be free of charge to admitted students and free transportation will be available to all students via satellite stops from anywhere in the parish. Siblings of students and French speaking families receive priority admission.
The application window opens Jan. 3 and closes at 5 p.m. February 28. Click here for information on how to apply. The lottery will only occur if more students apply for each grade by February 28 than space is available. If that is the case, the lottery will be held the second week of March. Applicants will be selected by random computer drawing for available seats. Applicants not selected will be placed on a numbered wait list.
“Sunset remains the perfect place for our school. We are creating citizens of the world — who, as our vision statement says, ‘possess the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors necessary to thrive in today’s increasingly interconnected world,’” Smythe said.
Those who have watched the energy Smythe and her team have put into making the new school happen are amazed by the effort and results. Prior to the school’s opening, Smythe worked for four years to lay the groundwork for the school.
École Saint-Landry’s mission is to prepare students from St. Landry Parish to be academically proficient, bilingual and globally competent. The school works to close the gaps of academic achievement by offering an innovative, researched-based French-immersion education. Additionally, École Saint-Landry supports local efforts to preserve and revitalize at-risk cultural assets.
The school continues to draw on the cultural roots of the community of Sunset in many ways — its mascot is the Lion (the previous mascot of Sunset High). It’s school colors are kelly green and old gold (the colors of the former Sunset High). The school has been renovated and is currently meeting in the old First Baptist Church of Sunset (671 Napoleon Ave.). However, the school has partnered with the City of Sunset to lease the old Sunset High building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Plans to renovate the old high school are underway.
École Saint-Landry’s rigorous programming is guided by three pillars — French-language immersion, extracurricular community engagement and a diverse student body.
To apply online to École Saint-Landry, complete the school’s online application here. If you have limited computer access, contact the school at 337-510-3022. To learn more about École Saint-Landry, go to ecolestlandry.org.
