The Avoyelles Public Charter School located in Mansura, Louisiana

Mansura, Louisiana

Mansura is a town in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,573 at the 2000 census.Mansura is home to the , and is the Cochon de Lait Capital of the world.Legendary Avoyelles Parish Sheriff F.O...

 is a charter school

Charter school

Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...

 for kindergarten through high school students, most of whom are from the surrounding region of Avoyelles Parish

Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

Avoyelles is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Marksville. In 2000, its population was 41,481. The parish is named for the Avoyel Indian tribe.-History:...

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History

The Avoyelles Public Charter School was founded as a Type 2 charter school open to any student in the state of Louisiana in 2000 by Julie Durand. It initially consisted of grades kindergarten through fifth, and one grade was added every year until 2008. In 2005, construction, funded through a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, began on the high school building, performing arts building and gymnasium but wasn’t completed until September 2006, postponing the school year. In 2008, the senior class became the first graduating class of the school.
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Academics

The Avoyelles Public Charter School offers a rigorous academic curriculum, ensuring that its students will be well prepared for college. Along with the essential subjects, there are several special classes offered. The K-8th grade programs teach French, the middle school teaches an engineering course. High school students are able to take Dual Enrollment classes, allowing students to earn college credits while learning more advanced skills, giving students an advantage upon entering a secondary-education program. Currently offered Dual Enrollment courses include College Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-calculus, Speech, and two Englishes. More Dual Enrollment courses can be taken online via the Louisiana Virtual School. College credit can also be earned by taking AP courses via the Louisiana Virtual School and taking engineering courses. AP courses require students to score at a certain level on its respectable exam in order to receive college credit. The engineering courses have a similar requirement.

Students enjoy taking classes through the previously mentioned Louisiana Virtual School, because it allows them to pursue their interests in countless courses. A list of these courses can be found here. Some include psychology, astronomy, computer programming, and video game design and the food is very gross.

APCS offers many electives including horifing lunch
, choir, show choir, musical theatre, art, ceramics, web design, publications, band, percussion, French, Spanish, speech, debate, physical education, health, and, personal fitness.

In 2009 APCS established its edible schoolyard where students are involved in growing organic vegetables and flowers.

Data & Statistics

The Louisiana Department of Education issues School Performance Scores each year for every school in the state. Four indices are used to calculate the score which are Attendance, Assessment, Dropout, and Graduation. The school received a score of 114 in 2010 earning the school a three star label for the score. The school had a 96.2% attendance rate for the 2009-2010 academic year. 63.5% of the classes were taught by highly qualified teachers in 2009-2010.