Ascension of Our Lord School to Close at the End of the School Year

Over the weekend, Ascension of Our Lord Pastor, Fr. Cyril Buyeera announced to parishioners that Ascension of Our Lord School (AOL) would close at the end of the school year. Citing several challenges facing the school, Fr. Buyeera said he believed that this difficult decision was truly in the best interest of the school community.

In a letter to school families, Fr. Buyeera and school principal Addie Melancon wrote, “We can assure you that this decision was not made lightly and that all options for current and future sustainability and viability were explored. While the school has been an important ministry of the parish since its founding, the most recent shift in the demographics of the area, the downward enrollment trend, and the financial burden made even more cumbersome by the strain of Hurricane Ida recovery and rising insurance rates, is not one our parish community can bear.”

Ascension of Our Lord School opened in LaPlace in 1979. After experiencing significant growth through the 1980s and steady enrollment through the next few decades, the changing demographics of the area and the significant impact of storms and floods on the LaPlace area have created significant challenges to the sustainability of the school.

In the coming weeks, staff from the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation will be available to AOL families to assist in navigating this process of transferring to a new school and to assist faculty in finding placements in Catholic education for the 2024-2025 school year. For students that  receive a school choice award from the Louisiana Scholarship Program or are a TDC student with ACE, Arete or Aspiring Scholars, the necessary accommodations will be made for him or her to maintain that funding.

The school will remain open through May 2024. Any families with questions or concerns may contact the school directly at (985) 652-4532 or may contact the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation at (504) 866-7916.