APSBulletin - July 2026
Dr. John Barthelemy, Superintendent
SCHOOL BOARD
Honoray Lewis, Ward 1
Lee Meyer Jr, Ward 2
Andrea Barras, Ward 3
Alexis Boutain, Ward 4
Joshua Hebert, Ward 5
Daniel Washington, Ward 6
Bambi Hood, Ward 7
Jessica Ourso, Ward 8
Doris Dugas, Ward 9
CALENDAR
August 3-5 – Professional Development for Teachers
August 6 – First Day of Classes for Students
Sept. 7 – Labor Day Holiday, No School
Zane Bailey and Delilah Marcel enjoying playing wit the colorful blocks and cushions available to them at the Assumption Parish Schools’ Early Childhood Day. Head Start Paraprofessional Rayne Talbot and Pre-K teacher Aimee Landry help the children sort the different items.
The Assumption Parish School System’s Ready Start Network hosted an Early Childhood Day for all Assumption Parish families with children five (5) years of age and younger, offering them free access to fun summer activities and educational resources.
The activities were held at the Assumption Parish Community Center, and included face painting, bounce houses, pony rides, music entertainment and more. The event also featured educational resources for families to take home.
The event encouraged to register their children for early learning opportunities in the district, including day care, Head Start, pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes.
Assumption Parish School Board Member Joshua Hebert shows 3-year-old Jakyrie Francis how to strike the snare drums with his drumsticks during the Early Childhood Day in Assumption Parish. Hebert is also a member of the Assumption Foundation for the Arts, which sponsored the music exhibit.
Students Can Access Free Flexible Learning Opportunities
Assumption Parish Schools is offering flexible learning options to families who are seeking a nontraditional educational structure to accommodate their children’s needs, allowing them to stay in their local school community and remain enrolled in the public school district.
Students can take 100% of their classes online through the Assumption Parish Schools Virtual Academy. The classes are accessible from anywhere. Students in the program will remain part of the Assumption Parish School System, making them eligible to participate in school clubs, sports and events. They also will be eligible to graduate with a standard APSB diploma.
At the same time, the district is offering students who are homeschooled to sign up to receive additional opportunities for dual enrollment, as well as participation in clubs and organizations, sports and school sponsored events.
“Our goal is to provide learning pathways that benefit all the students in our communities so they can have access to the coursework and curricula they need to gain a meaningful education to improve their quality of life and greater understanding of today’s expectations and opportunities so they can have a successful, productive life,” said Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy.
Free Dual Enrollment Program Saves Families $234,000 in Tuition, Gives Students a Jump Start
Students in the 2026 graduating class of Assumption High School recorded more than 750 credits towards post-secondary education while in high school, saving them more than $234,100 in projected tuition costs and giving them a jump-start on their careers at local colleges and technical schools.
The free program is one of the many benefits offered to students enrolled in the Assumption Parish Public School System, which is not available through private, parochial, or home schools in the area. The district covers the costs of the individual courses.
“Assumption High School is an A-Rated high school that offers its students a wide variety of opportunities to achieve college and technical school credits before they graduate. The dual enrollment program alone can mean a savings of hundreds, even thousands of dollars to families, not to mention the jump start it gives students on their post-secondary education,” Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy said.
Assumption High School offers dual credit classes in seven college courses (21 credit hours) earned though CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) and seventeen college courses (51 credit hours) through AP (Advanced Placement). Classes include computer applications, education, English composition, poetry and drama, psychology, general biology, visual arts, art history, and western civilization, as well as others.
Local Family Praises Benefits of AHS Dual Enrollment Program
AHS Graduating Senior Rayna Burns recently completed her high school education with 24 hours of college credit – a full year paid in full. It’s a benefit that she and her family believe will be invaluable to her future.
“The Dual Enrollment Program not only allowed me to earn college credits but also provided me with a glimpse into what college life and expectations are like,” said Rayna Burns, who plans to attend Xavier University in New Orleans this fall to pursue a dual degree in chemistry with a pre-pharmacy concentration.
“It taught me how to manage deadlines, think independently, and take ownership of my education. These experiences have helped prepare me for the next chapter of my academic journey,” Burns added.
Danielle Hadrick, Burns’ mother, said the dual enrollment program offers more than an opportunity for academic achievement; it is an investment in her family’s future.
“Students are able to save both time and educational expenses while building the confidence needed to succeed at the next level,” Hadrick said. “For our family, it has been a rewarding experience that has helped lay a strong foundation for college success.”