The mission of the Foundation for Science & Mathematics Education is to foster financial and community support for the New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School and the New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics Academy. These Science & Math high schools provide a rigorous, high quality education on an open-admissions basis and are two of just a handful of open-admissions science and math high schools in the country. Foundation support promotes access to high quality public education and alternative programs for the teaching of science and mathematics for students, faculty and the community-at-large.
The school funded by the Foundation has established a reputation for success. We are proud to report that:
• In December 2007, the National Society of High School Scholars Foundation awarded Sci High the Claes Nobel School of Distinction award, which is given to one American school per year. Sci High was chosen in recognition of the school's "innovative approach to integrating science and math and reaching out through open admissions to students who may not otherwise have an opportunity to attend such a school."
• Chemistry teacher and Dean of Sciences, Stella Allen, was state finalist for the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Mrs. Allen was one of two science finalists from Louisiana.
• Last year only 14% of the incoming freshman class was reading at grade level. After one year of concentrated work with our dedicated and experienced faculty, this class entered their sophomore year with 66% reading at grade level.
