Lusher Charter named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) today recognized Lusher Charter School as a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School. Twenty years ago in 1988, Lusher was one of the first schools in New Orleans to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors schools that are either high-performing or have closed achievement gaps, especially among minority or disadvantaged students. 
 
“We are so proud and honored to be recognized again as a National Blue Ribbon School,” said Kathy Riedlinger, CEO of Lusher Charter School. “Our amazing students, staff and teachers truly deserve this prestigious honor and consistently help us remain a top performing school. It is wonderful to be recognized for all of our hard work and dedication!”

Lusher is one of six schools to be honored and one of three to be selected as “Exemplary High Performing Schools,” who are among the state's highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels. On November 7-8, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
 
The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools. 
 
Lusher Charter School is a K-12 school that serves approximately 1,800 students. It offers a broad array of art and STEM coursework, as well as free early college-credit opportunities at Tulane University. Core values of kindness, respect, responsibility and hard work are reinforced throughout the students' education. These values, the school's focus on student well-being and its balanced program of arts and high academics have led to Lusher's status as one of the highest performing K-12 schools in Louisiana and as one of the most sought-after schools in New Orleans.
 
Learn more about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program and this year's award winners at:
https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html