Our Mission
The mission of FirstLine Schools is to create and inspire great open admissions public schools in New Orleans.
Our Vision
Our schools will prepare students for college, fulfilling careers, and a healthy life by nurturing students in mind, body, and spirit.
Mind
Strengthening the ability of students to succeed in rigorous academic classes by developing a love of learning, a foundation of basic skills, strong critical thinking skills, intellectual perseverance, curiosity, and creativity.
Body
Enabling students to be strong in body and ready to learn in class by promoting physical fitness, healthy eating habits, opportunities for movement throughout the day, and sufficient sleep.
Spirit
Individual: Developing strong character and good mental health
Community: Building healthy relationships and showing school spirit
OUR HISTORY
March 31, 1990 The roots of FirstLine Schools trace to the founding of this unique summer program designed to help 5th and 6th grade students gain acceptance into top middle schools.
March 17, 1992 Working with a group of concerned parents, Jay Altman and the Summerbridge team founded this school, with 100 students and four teachers. Dr. Tony Recasner became the school’s Director in 1993.
March 17, 1998 James Lewis Extension converted into a charter school and adopted a new name. NOCMS became the top-performing open admissions middle school in New Orleans. In August 2005, flooding from Hurricane Katrina destroyed the campus and led to NOCMS’ closure.
March 17, 2005 Middle School Advocates (the former name of FirstLine Schools) was approached by the state and asked to take over the failing Green Middle School. Green opened as a K-8 charter school the week before Katrina. The school reopened in January 2006.
March 17, 2007 Using the NOCMS charter to open a new K-8 school (later renamed Arthur Ashe), this school opened with 42 students and has grown to its current enrollment of over 650 students. In 2012 Ashe moved to a brand new campus in the Oak Park neighborhood of Gentilly.
March 17, 2010 In 2010, we chartered John Dibert Community School (now Phillis Wheatley Community School) as a turnaround school, to improve academic performance. Also that year FirstLine began managing Langston Hughes Academy, which is now a FirstLine school.
March 17, 2011 The doors opened on the newly chartered Clark Prep in August 2011. With some of the biggest academic gains in the city following its inaugural year, Clark Prep is restoring the school’s legacy.
1990: Summerbridge (Now called Breakthrough)
1992: James Lewis Extension
1998: New Orleans Charter Middle School (NOCMS)
2005: Samuel J. Green Charter School
2007: Arthur Ashe Charter School
2010: Phillis Wheatley Community School (formerly John Dibert Community School) & Langston Hughes Academy
2011: Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School
