NEW ORLEANS —There are record numbers of New Orleans high school graduates enrolling in college the fall immediately following their graduation.
More than half of the growth is due to African American students pursuing higher education.
Warren Easton Charter High School boasts a college enrollment rate in the top 10 percent of all Louisiana schools.
The school is utilizing strategic and integrated methods to ensure college and career readiness.
One of those methods, career academies within the school, gives students the opportunity to engage in learning the ins-and-outs-of a career that interests them.
Jeremy Ledlow’s background is a bit nontraditional.
He was quite successful in his first career starting his own event planning company, but he wanted to make a lasting impact.
He found fulfillment as the wide receiver coach at Warren Easton, but still wanted to do more.
After receiving his teaching certification, the coach is now the director of the Warren Easton Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.
Ledlow’s students appreciate his interactive classroom environment, teaching every aspect of the hospitality industry.
“They’re managing their employment. They’re managing their school work, and they’re managing their life and they’re doing it as a young professional,” said Ledlow.
Partnerships with more than 25 businesses, such as Hilton Hotels and the Audubon Institute, allow students to participate in internships.
Ledlow said those internships are an important part of curriculum.
“You understand what it means to be at work on time.
You understand what customer service is,” Ledlow said. “You understand what strong eye contact and networking. You understand that you’re very comfortable.”
The program also offers other advantages. Graduating seniors earn up to 12 college credit hours through a dual enrollment program with Delgado.
Last year, all 33 students who graduated from Ledlow’s program enrolled in college.
The staff at Warren Easton also spends extra time getting students ready to take the ACT.
The students’ scores rank in the top five in the state.