Mission:
The mission of O. Perry Walker College ad Career Preparatory High School and Community Center is to provide age appropriate opportunities for students to expand their conceptual understanding, acquire critical thinking and problem solving skills and develop positive habits of mind towards academics, service and comprehensive health.
School History:
Boasting a school motto of "We Lead...Others Follow", it is only fitting that O. Perry Walker College and Career Preparatory High School and Community Center would rise to the forefront of the movement to revitalize public education in New Orleans. O. Perry Walker College and Career Preparatory High School and Community Center is named for Oliver Perry Walker, a long-time educator in Orleans Parish. Mr. Walker ended his career as Superintendent of the Orleans Parish Schools when he retired in 1965. He died at the age of 68 in 1968.
In 1970, O. Perry Walker High School opened its doors at 2832 General Meyer Avenue in the Algiers community of New Orleans, along the west bank of the Mississippi River. Since then, O. Perry Walker has excelled in guiding young men and women of varied backgrounds to become leaders in our community.
O. Perry Walker College and Career Preparatory High School and Community Center was chartered in 2005 and operates as a member of the Algiers Charter Schools Association.
Curriculum:
In the O. Perry Walker classroom, students are taught in a collaborative environment. Students work side-by-side to help each other excel academically. All freshmen and sophomore students work in same gender classes. Research has found that students in same gender classes are more likely to perform better in class when combined with students of the opposite gender.
Freshmen are also required to attend O. Perry Walker’s Saturday Academy. The Saturday Academy is designed to enhance student test taking skills in preparation for the I-LEAP Test, which the state of Louisiana requires all freshmen to take and is a predictor of success for the Graduate Exit Exam.
From ninth to twelfth grade, students are challenged by our faculty to reach their full academic potential and goals. O. Perry Walker utilizes the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum. We call ourselves a college and career preparatory high school because we prepare our students for success at the college level and beyond. More than 85 percent of O. Perry Walker’s alumni and alumnae go on to further their educational experience at a college or university.
O. Perry Walker is a partner with the International Center for Leadership in Education. The International Center has developed an extraordinary reservoir of resources and relationships to advance school improvement. O. Perry Walker graduates earn a minimum of 24 high school credits. The O. Perry Walker curriculum is anchored by a 90 minute class schedule for each semester.
O. Perry Walker also provides an additional class period for students who are behind and are in need of academic credit. All students involved in extra-curricular activities and sports must attend one-hour of tutoring after school before attending practice.
Dual Enrollment:
Many students participate in O. Perry Walker’s Dual Enrollment program. O. Perry Walker has developed partnerships with local higher-education institutions for dual enrollment opportunities for students. Students receive an opportunity to become skilled and receive a certificate in carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts, or as a certified nursing assistant. The Dual Enrollment program gives students the opportunity to obtain college credits while in high school. These credits will be honored by any college the student chooses to attend. Partnering Colleges and Universities: Dillard University, Delgado Community College, Louisiana State Technical College, Nunez Community College, Southern University at New Orleans, and Tulane University.
Saturday Academy:
Saturday School is offered for credit recovery each Saturday. Through this process, students are given the opportunity to make-up the seat time from unexcused absences thereby making him/her eligible to receive a passing grade by meeting the minimum attendance requirements. In addition, Walker’s 9th and 10th grade academies hold Saturday Academies in the spring semester to assist students with preparing for the Graduate Exit Exam. These academies are mandatory for all 9th and 10th graders.
Advanced Placement Courses:
The Advanced Placement (AP) program is a curriculum in the United States sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college.
Many students have qualified to take AP courses offered at Walker. They are:
- AP English Literature
- AP English Language
- AP Politics and Government (U.S.)
- AP Physics AP Biology
College and Career Exploration Center:
The College and Career Exploration Center has been established to assist all students with the transition from high school to secondary education or the world of work. The Center is staffed with two counselors and five graduation coaches. These individuals work with our staff and students to ensure students have the support they need to complete college applications, scholarship applications, financial aid applications, etc.
The D.E.A.L. Center
The DEAL (Drop Everything and Listen) Center is designed to meet the mental and emotional needs of Walker’s students. Led by Walker’s two social workers, the purpose of the Center is to provide a safe haven to students and to connect students and parents to mental health services in the school and community.
The DEAL Center will begin the Life Skills Training Program this month with 9th and 10th graders. This program is being introduced to our school through the School District Alliance, Incorporated in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals' Office for Addictive Disorders. The program is a substance abuse and violence prevention program. Permission letters will be sent home with students this month.
Exceptional Student Services:
The Exceptional Student Services (ESS) component at O. Perry Walker ensures that everyone, including those with special needs, receives a quality college and career preparatory education. Those services are provided to students identified as autistic, mentally disabled (from mild to severe/profound), learning disabled, developmentally delayed, other health-impaired, orthopedic-impaired, traumatic brain-injured, hearing impaired, speech/language impaired, emotionally disturbed and those with multiple disabilities. Exceptional Student Services and educational programming are determined by individual multidisciplinary evaluations and an individualized Education Plan (IEP). Several ESS students participate in O. Perry Walker’s “Start on Success” career preparation program in which students participate in paid internships.
Special Programs:
Project FLATT honors and advanced placement; Project Momentum: credit recovery; Young Audiences cultural enrichment; NFL Play It Smart; Dual-Enrollment programs with Dillard University, Delgado Community College, Louisiana State Technical College, Nunez Community College, Southern University at New Orleans, and Tulane University.
Health Services:
A school nurse is on the campus every school day. O. Perry Walker also has a LSU Medical Health Clinic on the campus that is staffed with a full-time doctor and social worker and is open to all students during the school hours.
Extra Curricular Activities:
Student Government Association — National Honor Society — Marching Band — Concert Band — Jazz Ensemble — Brass Band — Majorettes — Walkerettes — Chargerettes — Perryettes — Color Guard — Cheerleading Team — Drama Club — Navy Jr. ROTC — Gospel Choir — Concert Choir — Key Club — WOPW Charger News Team — Japanese Club — Hoof Prints Newspaper — Rhythms Dance Company
Athletics:
Football — Boys Basketball — Girls Basketball — Track and Field — Baseball — Softball — Volleyball — Soccer
Teachers:
Teachers at O. Perry Walker College and Career Preparatory High School are dedicated to doing everything possible to ensure student achievement. Walker’s teachers are Certified and Highly Qualified educators willing to go above and beyond in order to meet the needs of individual students. Teachers are available after school in the academic support center Monday-Thursday from 4pm-5pm.
About ACSA
The Algiers Charter School Association, a non-profit charter school management organization, consists of eight open enrollment charter schools on the Westbank of New Orleans. Founded in 2005, the ACSA was the first to open five schools to several thousand students following Hurricane Katrina. The teachers and administrators work daily to increase student achievement throughout the Association by implementing local and national teaching based programs and strategies, such as the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) System. ACSA’s effective use of the TAP System has pushed the organization in the forefront of transforming the culture of education in New Orleans. As collaborative partners, ACSA will further the development of the students in the ACSA charter schools by cultivating a strong home/school partnership and maintaining the fidelity of the TAP System in all schools.
Today, the ACSA consists of more than 5300 students and employs nearly 400 teachers. For more information on the Algiers Charter Schools Association and its schools, visit www.AlgiersCharterSchools.org.
