Since 1869, Dillard University has been committed to providing students with a quality, four-year, liberal arts education. Dillard is a fully accredited, private, historically Black university. The product of two other HBCUs, Dillard premiered as its own separate entity in 1935 and has been serving the New Orleans community ever since. In 2019, Dillard University will celebrate its 150th anniversary. Over that time, Dillard became the first accredited nursing program in all of Louisiana. In 2017, Dillard ranked eleventh among all HBCUs in U.S. News and World Report’s Best College Rankings. The University is known for its robust programs in film, nursing, pre-law, and physics, and in 2017, Dillard ranked second in the nation for number of graduating Black physics undergrads. Dillard is home to the Ray Charles Program in African American Material Culture, the first program of its kind at any HBCU or any other American university. Dillard University has positioned itself for success throughout the 21st century and will continue to educate the bright, young leaders of tomorrow. For more information, including student life and athletics opportunities, visit Dillard.edu.
Schools for Those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities St. Michael School is a Catholic school that educates over 200 students each year age six through adulthood with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Established in 1965 by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Sr. Lillian McCormack of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the school has served over 6,000 students in more than 50 years as a prized New Orleans institution. Individualized instruction develops the whole child—academically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Curriculum includes reading, religion, language arts, math, science, social studies, technology, creative arts, culinary science, independent living, community integra-
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tion, industrial arts, music, and job training. Extracurricular activities include speech therapy, music therapy, adaptive physical education, club participation, student council, sports, cheerleading, and various inclusive activities with respective peer groups. In 2017, a new transition program was added for recent high school graduates. Exploration Academy focuses on job readiness through selfdetermination, independent life skills, and community work experiences. St. Michael is accredited by LDOE, AdvancEd, and recognized as a NASET School of Excellence. Open House takes place Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Sign up for a tour at stmichaelspecialschool.com/admissions or call 504-524-7285.
Educational Programs and Resources The New Orleans Opera Association (NOOA) serves diverse audiences throughout the region and provides educational programs that include live performances for schools and educational centers, innovative courses in musicology, world opera, hip-hopera and more, free tickets to students for dress rehearsals of opera productions, summer camp sessions, roundtable discussions with the performers, Nuts & Bolts pre-performance lectures, an annual vocal competition for high school students, and an interactive Opera Nouvelle series. NOOA was founded in 1943, and its mission is “to enrich the lives of all people by producing opera of the highest artistic quality and providing education opportunities through traditional and innovative approaches.” NOOA’s school-based programs are continually expanding to include new initiatives, engaging students at a more academic level with opera and making it more relatable to their lives. For more information or to find out how you can support these wonderful programs, contact 504-529-3000 or go to NewOrleansOpera.org. •