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Education

Ascension Parish is home to one of the most progressive and successful public school boards in the state of Louisiana. School, teacher and student achievement performance is among the top tier within the state. Louisiana Technical College and River Parishes Community College are located within the parish and provide the technical skills, training and education required to support the growing demand for qualified employees. A total of 16 colleges and universities are within a one-hour drive of Ascension Parish, including Louisiana State University and Southern University located in Baton Rouge.

Higher Education

River Parishes Community College
John LeBlanc Boulevard (Highway 22), Sorrento, LA (less than half a mile from I-10)
Phone: (225) 675-8270
www.rpcc.edu

River Parishes Community College (RPCC), founded in 1997, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The college serves the higher education needs of citizens living in Ascension and surrounding parishes. In addition to offering associate degrees, RPCC provides general education courses for students who plan to transfer to a senior college or university. The college also offers continuing education opportunities and partners with local businesses and industries to provide employee training.

Public Schools

Located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans along the Mississippi River, Ascension Parish Public Schools meet the challenge of providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to prosper in an interactive, global society while not sacrificing the essential basic skills all students need. In order to accomplish this goal, the district has clearly identified what students should know and be able to do in order to be successful. The district’s innovative curriculum was designed around this knowledge. As a result, the school system is able to provide learning experiences that will enable all students to best adapt to evolving educational standards.

The Ascension Parish Public School System is accredited by the Louisiana Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). School report cards for all schools in the public school system can be found on the Louisiana Department of Education website.

For more information about Ascension Parish Public Schools, contact the Ascension Parish School Board Office at (225) 473-7981 or visit www.apsb.org.

Facts:
• Enrollment = 19,350 (2008)
• Student to Teacher Ratio
- Grades K-3 = 20:1
- Grades 4-12 = 25:1
• Student to Computer Ratio = 2:1
• 24 Schools
- (11) Primary / Elementary Schools
*Four new primary schools are under construction.

- (2) K-8 Elementary Schools
- (6) Middle / Intermediate Schools
- (4) High Schools
- (1) Alternative School

Private & Parochial Schools
The parochial schools of Ascension Parish provide a rich educational experience for students. Ascension Catholic Diocesan Regional School, established in 1845, and the oldest of the parochial schools, offers pre-K through grade 12. Ascension Catholic offers small classes and has new computer and science lab facilities to better serve students.

Ascension Christian High, now in its second year, has opened its newly renovated campus on the grounds of what used to be the old E.A. Academy off Highway 931 (Germany Road). The campus sports a contemporary motif with a Christian ambiance. Top-quality technology and innovation meld to provide 9th through 12th graders a totally unique Christian educational experience in a school that is approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Ascension Christian High supports the Louisiana TOPS Core Curriculum and has partnerships with area colleges for advanced curriculum opportunities. For more information contact Principal Mark Pellegrin at (225) 622-2800, or visit the Web site at www.ACHSlions.com.

Other private and parochial schools include Ascension Christian Academy and Child Development Center (pre-K–8), Faith Academy and Early Learning Center (pre-K–9), and St. Theresa of Avila Catholic School (pre-K–8). You may contact the individual schools or the Louisiana State Department of Education’s Web site at www.doe.state.la.us for more information.

Technical & Vocational Schools
Ascension Parish offers options for individuals seeking technical and vocational training.

Ascension College, established in 1989, is a private, for-profit institution that offers vocational training that leads to certificates in medical, dental, legal and computer fields. Ascension College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).

The Louisiana Technical College Ascension Parish Campus has programs in place to support local industry. With input from industry, the PTEC or petrochemical technology program was designed to develop a workforce with skills in welding and processing technology. In preparation for work in this aging industry, junior and senior high school students train in this hands-on program, while completing studies at area schools. Associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in industrial instrumentation technology, automotive technology, welding, process technology and several other programs are offered through this campus. In neighboring Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Community College offers over 120 credit courses and industry training sessions.

Ascension Parish Library
www.myapl.org

Ascension Parish Library (APL), celebrating 50 years in 2010, continues to enrich, educate, inform, and entertain its patrons. With three locations in Ascension Parish, and a new location in Dutchtown soon to be completed, APL offers a host of services to appeal to patrons of all ages.

Among the most popular are the summer reading programs for children and adults, computer workshops, free business counseling and small business resources, our Summer Film Festival, and El Club (a conversational Spanish club). APL participates in the annual Big Read: One Book/One Community program, the RELIC library reading program, Prime Time Family Reading Time, and ACT test preparation, as well as a wonderful variety of programming offered for all ages.

APL continually strives to provide the best library service in the most cost-effective manner possible. We are moving closer to fulfilling current plans to include additional facility space of approximately 59,000 square feet. The new site in Dutchtown will account for 23,000 square feet of space, with the remaining 36,000 square feet being added to the Gonzales location. The additional facility space will enable Ascension Parish Library to maintain state standards for public libraries.