For more information:  521.7160 or 521.7167

LAFAYETTE _ The Lafayette Parish School System and South Louisiana Community College announce the creation of a new program for high school students, the LPSS-SLCC Early College Academy.

An informational meeting has been set for Monday, August 11 at 6 p.m. at SLCC for interested students and parents.  Three I-pods and four $50 gas cards will be given away to lucky ninth-graders who attend.

This academy is based on the early college high school model, which assumes that academic rigor, combined with the opportunity to save time and money, is a powerful motivator for students to work hard and meet serious intellectual challenges. Early college high schools blend high school and college work in a rigorous yet supportive program, compressing the time it usually takes to complete a high school diploma and a college degree.

The academy will accept 100 ninth-graders for the Fall 2008 session.  Students will start school at their home zone school tomorrow then transfer to SLCC for the Academy on August 22.

Academy students will complete the regular TOPS curriculum, following the state’s regular high school curriculum, but they also will be able to take regular college courses.  At the end of their four years of high school, these students will have achieved a high school diploma as well as an associate’s degree in general studies.

While no specific GPA scores are required to attend this academy, students must have passed the LEAP  in order to be eligible. All students are welcome and encouraged to apply.  The applications are open now on lafayettechoice.com   All slots will be awarded by random lottery for eligible students.

Students will attend high school classes on the campus of SLCC during the hours of noon to 6:30 p.m.  Transportation will be provided by the City of Lafayette Transit System, which has partnered with us to provide students with bus passes.

One of the most exciting aspects of our new academy is our partnership with Cox Communications. This corporate neighbor has agreed to provide each of our academy students with a laptop.

This academy came out of a trip that Superintendent Burnell Lemoine and several other staff made to North Carolina just a few weeks ago.  After seeing this type of program in action, the group decided to make it work in Lafayette.

Without the assistance and expertise of Louisiana Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek and his staff, including Kathy Mouton; and SLCC Chancellor Dr. Jan Brobst, this project would not have been possible in this short time.

The LPSS also is grateful to Cox and Lafayette City-Parish Government for immediately agreeing to partner with us to provide this opportunity to our students.  The project would not have been possible without their assistance.

On the web:

More info and to apply: www.lafayettechoice.com

General info about Early College: www.earlycolleges.org

LPSS general info: www.lpssonline.com