Warren Easton High School opens N.O.’s first standalone ninth-grade academy

To ease the transition to high school and ensure freshman begin their secondary experience strong, New Orleans’ first standalone ninth-grade academy recently opened its doors.  The first-year students at Warren Easton High School will take classes with students only of their same grade, which, according to school officials, enables teachers to focus on the student’s academic, social and emotional development during a critical year in their schooling.  

“We want to make sure that we kind of bring back the idea of ninth graders being kids,” said Lauren King, Warren Easton’s ninth-grade assistant principal.