Ursuline Academy of New Orleans
Belinda Baker, Director of Early Childhood

The Soeur Teresita Rivet, OSU Early Childhood Learning Center of Ursuline Academy of New Orleans offers a program like no other. This NAEYC-accredited program, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment. The learning environment, known as the “third teacher,” provides a large variety of both natural and man-made materials for the students to choose from, sparking their intellectual curiosity through a self-guided curriculum.

Based on the belief that children need to naturally know how to work and problem-solve together, Ursuline Academy Early Childhood students, Toddler 2 through Kindergarten, are given the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences. The Early Childhood teachers model this belief by working together in order to benefit from each other’s strengths. Located on an 11.5-acre historic Uptown campus, the Center provides a program that is uniquely Ursuline in that it offers the project approach with traditional academic structure and timeless values.

Ursuline Academy’s Early Childhood provides a cohesive learning approach that sets the foundation for the future success of its young women. With the distinction of being both the oldest, continuously operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States, Ursuline Academy educates the whole person and prepares future female leaders for life in a global society. Ursuline Academy’s Director of Early Childhood, Belinda Baker, is excited to expand the program to include a one-year-old program in the 2019-2020 school year.

2635 State Street New Orleans, LA 70118, 504.861.9150, go.uanola.org.

Arden Cahill Academy is proud to introduce our head of high school, Ms. Laura Bloom Martin.  Ms. Martin comes to us from a top three school district in the state of Louisiana with over 15 years of secondary education and administrative experience.  Laura has excelled in a multitude of capacities including teacher, curriculum and instructional specialist, assistant principal, and most recently as district level supervisor over Career and Technical Education, as well as the Safe Schools program.  She has worked extensively with STEM programs, including co-writing a kindergarten through college level STEM pathway on Coastal Restoration for the Louisiana Department of Education.  When asked about Arden Cahill Academy’s newest high school venture, Ms. Martin stated, “Our vision is to establish a high school that excels in both academics and the liberal arts, while providing a truly diverse co-ed population on a beautiful campus.  We want to be able to extend our unique Cahill culture into the high school to foster academic and emotional growth for all students.” 

3101 Wall Blvd, Gretna, 504.392.0902, ardencahillacademy.com.

Academy of the Sacred Heart
Sr. Melanie A. Guste, RSCJ, Headmistress

At the Academy of the Sacred Heart, we are committed to offering our students the knowledge, skills, and character required for global leadership. We define success not only in terms of outcomes but in demonstrated imagination, innovation, collaboration—all critical competencies of the 21^st Century.

“We believe our girls ‘will change the world’—whether by exploring the stars, designing new technologies, or partnering to drill wells in Africa. By discovering the intersections of faith, academics, service, and community, our students grow to become integrated persons of conscience and consciousness,” says Headmistress Sr. Melanie A. Guste, RSCJ, a Religious of the Sacred Heart who holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems and M.S. degrees in Educational Administration and Applied Spirituality.

Our school is a community where girls from age 1 through 12^th grade grow through relationships, create lasting connections with others, and benefit from an international network of over 150 Sacred Heart schools in 41 countries. Entering through the gates of “Sacré Coeur” as infants and leaving as women, Sacred Heart students grow in confidence and become courageous Christ-centered leaders who make an impact in the world.

4521 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504.891.1943, ashrosary.org.

Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans
Pauline Dides, Head of School and Chevalier of the Order of the Academic Palms

Founded in 1998, Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year with experienced faculty from all over the world and a richly diverse student body.

Now serving more than 260 students from 18 months through 8th grade, Ecole Bilingue is Louisiana’s first and only private, multilingual school accredited by the French Ministry of Education and the Louisiana Department of Education. Our mission is to provide a strong and distinctive education by combining the best of French and American academics.

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.

Pauline Dides joined Ecole Bilingue in 2006 and became Head of School in 2009. As part of a very forward-thinking leadership team, Pauline plays a major role in creating innovative educational projects and new teaching methods. She successfully implemented the use of new technology in the classroom, as well as the use of special teaching spaces that encourage student creativity. Dides was the driving force in securing accreditation for the school’s Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 programs. In addition to its accreditations, Ecole Bilingue is affiliated with several global networks, including the AEFE, NAIS and Mission Laïque Française.

812 General Pershing St., New Orleans, 504.896.4500, ebnola.net.

Kinder Haus Montessori

In 1984, our founder, Pat Lacoste, opened Kinder Haus Montessori School in Metairie, followed by our Mandeville campus in 1996, with the vision of providing the highest quality care for young children. Now, as we begin our 35th school year, we celebrate the joys that Montessori has brought to thousands of children who have passed through our doors. We truly believe that Montessori is a gift for life.

We fully embrace the Montessori philosophy of education, allowing children to experience its lifelong benefits. The teaching methods focus on work that helps develop a child’s ability to concentrate, be self-motivated, self-directed, self-confident, and independent. Children learn to care for their own needs by helping with snack time and taking care of the environment. This fosters their natural desire to be independent and self-confident, which they take pride in. Children are encouraged to explore their environment and have the freedom to make choices. It’s also stimulating and child-oriented, a place where they can learn and explore without fear. Freedom within a structured environment helps develop a sense of order and purpose, which increases critical thinking skills, decision-making, understanding of natural consequences, and encourages creativity.

Kinder Haus introduces each child to academic foundations in Math, Science, Language, and Geography. Teachers give individual lessons to support the children socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Children who come through our doors leave with compassion, independence, self-esteem, concentration, and a love for learning.  We invite anyone eager to brighten their world to come visit.

5201 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie and , 252 Magnolia St., Mandeville, kinderhausmontessori.com.