New Grade Configuration for the 2026-2027 School Year
We are excited to share some BIG news for the future of St. Helena Parish School District! During its April Board meeting, the St. Helena Parish School Board officially approved the district’s new grade configuration designed to create stronger learning environments and better support the academic and developmental needs of our learners. Beginning next school year, the new grade configuration will be:
St. Helena Early Learning Center: PreK–3
St. Helena Arts and Technology Academy: 4–7
St. Helena College and Career Academy: 8–12
This exciting change is all about creating a more seamless educational experience for our learners. Our youngest learners will now benefit from an additional year at the Early Learning Center, where the focus on foundational literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional growth is critical to long-term success. Learners at St. Helena Arts and Technology Academy will experience a stronger middle-grades environment designed specifically for their age group and developmental needs.
At St. Helena College and Career Academy, beginning the secondary experience in eighth grade will allow learners to engage earlier in college and career readiness opportunities, workforce pathways, dual enrollment, internships, and industry-based credential programs aligned with Louisiana’s new accountability expectations.
This is another example of St. Helena Parish School District continuing to move forward with intentionality and purpose. We are committed to building systems and structures that increase learner success, develop educator effectiveness, and build public confidence. The future is bright in St. Helena Parish, and we are excited about the opportunities this new structure will create for our learners!
We all have an opportunity to begin again with renewed energy and enthusiasm for our vision to create an equitable, productive educational system that increases learner success, develops educator effectiveness, and builds public confidence.
There is much to be excited about in this new year regarding teaching and learning. Our theme for the 2026-2027 school year is still simply, OUTCOMES. We will focus on using data to drive instruction and do more to increase parental involvement. Everything we do will be about improving academic outcomes for our learners.
FREE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR ALL LEARNERS!
Take advantage of the full medical services available to your child through the Southeast Community Health Systems School-based clinics. Click below to fill out your Parental Consent Form.
DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE YOUR SUMMER READING PROGRAM ASSIGNMENT! (Click on the graphic below)
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
During the 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session, the Louisiana State Legislature enacted several new laws that were enacted for the 2024-2025 school year. These new state laws will have a significant impact on all parishes throughout the state, including St. Helena Parish. These are laws that apply statewide.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES - No learner shall possess, use, or operate any electronic telecommunication device, during the instructional day, or in any school bus used to transport public school students. These devices include, but not limited to cell phones, ear buds, or any other accessory that connects to a cell phone.
First Offense – Parent contact, pick up cell phone
Second Offense – In-School suspension
Third Offense – Out-of-school suspension
SUSPENSION - A student in grades six through twelve who is suspended a third time within the same school year for any offense, excluding those related to dress codes or tardiness, shall be recommended for expulsion.
TRUANCY - Parents or guardians of truant learners are required to ensure their child make up missed class assignments by attending remediation opportunities, as determined by the School Board, until the learner has caught up with his or her assignments. The parent or legal guardian shall also attend meetings at the school on at least a monthly basis relative to the learner’s progress until the learner has caught up on his or her missed schoolwork. Families of students who fail to meet attendance requirements will face a series of escalating consequences, which may ultimately result in being reported to the Social Security Office.
SMOKING, TOBACCO AND MARIJUANA USE - Possession or use of any tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, or marijuana product in any form, or any smoking object/device, including but not limited to electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, vape mods and similar devices, shall be prohibited on and in all St. Helena Parish School Board property and vehicles, and at all school-sponsored or school-approved functions.
ACADEMIC POLICY CHANGES
Summer School Participation for Grades K-2 - Learners who score WELL BELOW on the DIBELS end-of-year (EOY) screener must attend summer school. Failure to attend will result in the learner being retained.
Summer School Participation for Grades 5-8 - Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and beyond, learners who score below basic on the third benchmark assessment will be required to participate in the online summer remediation program. To successfully complete the program, the learner must accumulate thirty (30) hours of online course remediation. Failure to participate will result in automatic retention.
All learners who fail to meet their growth target on the LEAP assessment will be required to attend the two-week in person remediation. Failure to attend will result in automatic retention.
Learners who did not have a teacher employed for their failed subject(s) for at least 50% of the school year will be referred to the SBLC committee for decisions regarding promotion.
10-Point Grading Scale
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = 0 – 59
Please CLICK HERE to learn more about our academic policies in our Pupil Progression Plan.
