WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Advance Baton Rouge schools head back to class

Advance Baton Rouge schools head back to class

By Greg Meriwether - bio | email

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The non-profit charter school management organization, Advance Baton Rouge is trying to take five failing schools and turn them into a place of learning where parents will want to send their children.

Monday is the first day in the second year effort to save Prescott Middle School, one of the schools currently run by Advance Baton Rouge after the state assumed control. The principal, who is in his first year at Prescott, says big changes should be expected right away. "I'm aware of some of the things that went on last year, but our goal is to change the lives now," Dr. Perry Daniel said. "We want to serve the children like we would want someone to serve our children."

Just over 150 kids showed up for the first day of school, but officials expect more this week. Prescott Middle is also proud of its parents and their involvement. School officials say it's going to take that effort to make this year a success. "That what we're trying to do is become a school of choice for students and parents, but also teachers. We want people to want to choose to be a part of what's going on at Prescott," said Dr. Daniel.

The Advance Baton Rouge school group uses a private company for transportation and so far, it seems as if everybody made it to school with hardly any problems.

Students in Zachary and Baker also started school Monday. Ascension Parish and Assumption Parish schools kick off a new year on Wednesday. Tangipahoa and West Feliciana parishes are back on Thursday. West Baton Rouge Parish begins the new school year on Friday.