Welcome to the UNO Charter Network
The Capital One-University of New Orleans Charter Network is a seamless pre-kindergarten through college learning community. Schools in the Network are operated by UNO’s College of Education & Human Development.
Teachers focus on the individual needs of every child, every day and prepare children for the next educational level. This pre-kindergarten through high school educational process is designed to provide access and placement in community colleges and the University of New Orleans. The Capital One–UNO Charter Network provides high quality public education to neighborhoods damaged by Hurricane Katrina – Lakeview, Gentilly and Pontchartrain Park.
Our Learning Community- Pierre A. Capdau Charter School
- Medard H. Nelson Charter School
- Pierre A. Capdau Early College High School
- Gentilly Terrace ¤
- Benjamin Franklin High School ∗
- Edward Hynes Charter School ∗
¤ Operated by the Recovery School District (RSD) as a University Partnership School
with the University of New Orleans.
∗ Supported by UNO Charter Network in an advisory capacity.
» Our Priorities... to Serve the Community
The Network consists of public schools that serve to provide a seamless pre-kindergarten through college learning community. The network offers high quality public education to neighborhoods damaged by Hurricane Katrina – Lakeview, Gentilly and Pontchartrain Park.
The Capital One-University of New Orleans Charter Network Priorities
- Provide access to quality pre-K to college education
- Serve as a catalyst for economic development
- Focus on individual needs of students
- Provide access to university professors and resources
UNO Charter Schools serve as catalysts to encourage families to return and/or relocate to the neighborhoods surrounding the University and its academic community. The schools are open to students citywide and form a network of quality neighborhood public schools.
The UNO Charter Network provides guidance and support for its charter schools to serve the multiple needs of all students via innovative instructional teaching strategies, and gifted and enriched curricula that focus on the individual talents of all students, including those with special needs. Teacher professional development, counseling, and resource allocation are pinpointed to support the individual needs of students, families and teachers.
Our schools are designated as UNO College of Education and Human Development professional development schools. UNO Charter students have access to university resources, including libraries, computer labs and recreation and wellness facilities.
» A Brief History of the UNO Charter Network
In the summer of 2004, the University of New Orleans’ College of Education and Human Development embarked on a journey which was been described in statewide newspaper coverage as “the unprecedented gamble, “a major risk” and “good news”. The university became the first entity in the state of Louisiana to take control of a failing public school.
UNO’s commitment to quality public education is an outgrowth of the vision of the charter network’s founder, James Meza, Jr., Dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “As an urban university, our mission calls for us to assume a greater responsibility for the quality of public education in the New Orleans area,” said Meza. “Through our charter school initiative we have established opportunities for our faculty and students to engage in professional development and research though school based inquiry. This systematic teaching and learning process empowers our college learning community to clearly understand problems and identify best practices for school improvement.”
Pierre A. Capdau Elementary became Louisiana’s first “takeover” charter school after voters in 2003 approved a state constitutional amendment to allow state takeover of repeatedly failing public schools. In return, UNO committed to increasing the school’s performance by at least 20 points over a five-year period.
UNO Charter Schools are governed by the New Beginnings School Foundation, which is responsible for school finances, enrollment, curriculum and staff. The charter school initiative operates as a department within UNO’s College of Education and Human Development.
UNO Charter Network Historical Timeline
August 2004: Pierre A. Capdau-UNO Charter School opens as Louisiana’s first Type 5 charter school, becoming a forerunner in the New Orleans’ burgeoning charter school movement.
August 2005: UNO opens its second charter school – Medard H. Nelson-UNO Charter School two days before Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast.
January/February 2006: Capdau and Nelson charter schools reopen. Nelson relocates to temporary quarters while its St. Bernard Avenue campus is rebuilt.
May 2006: Capital One Financial Corporation pledges $1 million grant to help establish the UNO Charter School Network.
August 2006: UNO Launches Early College High School, a nationally recognized high school reform initiative built around small, autonomous institutions that blend high school and college into a coherent education program.
August 2007: Medard Nelson-UNO Charter School returns to a completely renovated campus on St. Bernard Avenue.
September 2007: Gentilly Terrace Elementary reopens as a University Partnership Model. UNO continues to fulfill its mission of providing high quality public education to neighborhoods damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Gentilly Terrace is being operated through a partnership between the University of New Orleans and the Recovery School District.
» Our Founding Corporate Sponsor
In May 2006, Capital One made a $1 million grant to help establish the Capital One/University of New Orleans Charter School Network. Through UNO's College of Education and Human Development, the center provides centralized operational and educational support to a cluster of charter schools managed by UNO.
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One Financial Corporation is a financial holding company, with 725 locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Texas and Louisiana.
» Careers at UNO Charter Schools
Want to Join our Team: Read on to Learn How
Whether you are at the start of your teaching career, or looking for new opportunities, UNO Charter Network schools can provide a rewarding and exciting teaching experience. This is a unique and challenging opportunity to participate in the historic restoration of a great American city.
If you are a highly qualified and highly certified teacher who desires to work in an exciting and challenging environment, you owe it to yourself to consider the UNO Charter School Network. You will receive the opportunity for continual professional development, while working in a network of schools committed to raising the bar in education.
We are looking for highly qualified and highly certified teachers to help create a pathway to excellence from early childhood to college.
How to Contact us
If you are interested in applying for a position at a Capital One-UNO Charter School, submit a cover letter, resume, and three letters of reference to the UNO Charter Network at info [at] unocharternetwork.edu
The Capital One-University of New Orleans Charter Network recognizes and values the diversity of our workforce and opposes all forms of discrimination on the grounds of race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, marital status, disability or age.
» Latest News Items
We provide parents, students, faculty and the general public with access to our latest news stories. Please click the links below to access recent newsletter stories and press releases. This section of our website also serves as a springboard to media sources that have featured the Capital One-UNO Charter Network in their coverage.
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Featured Item
Important News: Lottery results for students who have been selected or placed on waiting lists at Medard Nelson and Pierre Capdau Charter Schools are now available.
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