December 30 2019
Picking the right school for your child is hard. We let the leaders do the talking to help you make the best choice.
Beary Cherry Tree is one of the most unique child development centers in the Greater New Orleans area serving infants, toddlers, 3- and 4-year-olds. We believe interactions matter.
Our center promotes positive relationships while guiding your children in their physical, mental, social, and emotional growth. Our staff implements research-based assessments and aligns our curriculum to meet the individual needs of our children while guiding them through each developmental stage of growth to set a strong foundation.
Beary Cherry Tree is family-owned and operated and has been for 43 years. Since opening in 1976, we have enjoyed growing with our families. Because of our high demand, we recently expanded, opening a fourth building allowing us to accommodate an additional 60 children. We are looking forward to new opportunities for engagement and interaction with our families!
3117 Lake Villa Dr., Metairie, 504.455.1950
Ecole Bilingue De La Nouvelle-Orléans
Pierre-Loïc Denichou, Head of School and Chevalier of the Order of the Academic Palms
Founded in 1998, Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans is a private, French immersion school with experienced faculty from all over the world, a diverse student body, and the best of French and American academics.
Now serving more than 300 students from 18 months to 8th grade, Ecole Bilingue is Louisiana’s only private school accredited by both the French government and the State of Louisiana. The mission of Ecole Bilingue is to develop globally literate students through a rigorous bilingual French-American curriculum set in a nurturing and multicultural community. We guide our students to excel academically, foster their curiosity, and prepare them to become creative and innovative contributors to the world.
Ecole Bilingue is set up on the principle that the best way to ensure academic excellence is through a variety of proven teaching methods in a nurturing and vibrant environment. Our beautiful campus includes three buildings specifically designed for early childhood, elementary, and middle school students, as well as a large green space and playground.
Pierre-Loïc Denichou joined Ecole Bilingue in 2015 and became Head of School in 2019. With extensive experience in curriculum development, teacher training, and education research, Pierre-Loïc has played a major role in improving the quality of education at the school and will continue to transform the academics, community, and culture at Ecole Bilingue. He has previously served as the academic coordinator at Lycée International de Los Angeles. Prior to coming to the U.S. in 2007, he was an elementary teacher at a French school in Bolivia.
Pierre-Loïc is currently leading the charge for accreditation with the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest with the recent status change to Recognition of Accreditation Candidacy. Ecole Bilingue is also affiliated with several global networks, including the AEFE, NAIS, AFSA, and Mission Laïque Française.
812 General Pershing St., 504.896.4500
John W. Hoffman Early Learning Center
Dr. Dionne Nichols, Executive Director
Dr. Dionne Nichols is the new executive director at John W. Hoffman Early Learning Center. The John W. Hoffman Early Learning Center is located in New Orleans in the Historic Hoffman Triangle. The licensed center services children ages birth to 4 years old by providing high quality care and rigorous educational programs. At Hoffman, we model positive, respectful, and collaborative interactions that honor young children’s unique strengths, individuality, and diversity.
Dr. Nichols is a lifelong educator and native of the Greater New Orleans area. She has over 20 years experience in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education, and has served in many leadership roles. Dr. Nichols feels that early childhood education is important because it allows a bond to be formed with the parent and child. These experiences deeply affect their future physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Dr. Nichols shares that her early childhood educators at Hoffman Early Learning Center have the important responsibility of helping children learn key social and emotional coping skills. Often, first-time separation from parents, group participation and cooperation, problem solving through compromise, and sharing are important traits that children need to learn. The teachers on staff help young minds to develop a sense of independence and curiosity as they grow in their love for learning. Relationship bonds, learning experiences, and emotional interactions all affect childhood development. This impact from Hoffman’s teachers is immeasurable.
Therefore, finding the right early childhood program is vitally important. Parents should seek programs that are diverse by design, high quality, affordable, and accessible to the needs of all children and families. This can be one of the best investments to society by ensuring a child’s future success.
2622 S. Prieur St., 504.335.0444
At Kehoe-France School, serving children 8 weeks through 7th grade, children are nurtured in a warm and welcoming environment. With small class sizes in a secure and picturesque 14-acre environment, our degreed and certified staff encourage our students to explore their curiosities.
As a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program and Middle Years Program, Kehoe-France is focused on providing an inquiry-based approach to learning. Our students are actively engaged in their development, education, and activities. We focus not only on the academic fundamentals, but also a child’s physical health and wellness through our expansive athletics programs, exposure to the fine arts through classes and clubs, and a commitment to service as a school community. Our facilities are newly renovated with more improvements to come. Private tours are given daily upon request. We invite everyone to come tour with us and take those first steps onto the path to success.
720 Elise Ave., Metairie, 504.733.0472
St. Paul’s Studio Band Rocks. The band meets for a full class period during middle school study hall once a week. Members work through numerous recesses for sectional practices, and additional full band performance rehearsals throughout the school year because they love it so much.
The Studio Band accepts just about any musical instrument, and members are primarily made up of 5th–8th grade middle school students. Occasionally, by request of the band director, a 4th grade student can participate in this middle school activity. All band members are required to take private lessons outside of school hours on their performing instrument, and a private audition on his or her instrument is also required prior to being admitted into the band. This audition allows the director to see if the child knows the notes on their instrument, can read basic music, and is ready for the commitment.
The Studio Band does various performances with the school choir throughout the year, playing blues, jazz, rock-n-roll, and alternative music. For Christmas, they perform at Celebration in the Oaks in City Park, the Christmas Tree Assembly at school, and the neighborhood Holidays on Harrison celebration. In the spring, the band and choir put on a grand dinner-theater-style performance called the St. Paul’s Jazz Jam. The St. Paul’s Studio Band is a hit.
6249 Canal Blvd., 504.488.1319