Alice Boucher Elementary is opening the 2025–26 school year with a new distinction, becoming the third Lafayette Parish campus to implement the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model, made possible through a partnership between LPSS and the Pugh Family Foundation. With ACE comes tremendous opportunity for students, teachers, and families to experience growth and success supported by proven strategies.
The Five Pillars of ACE
ACE schools are built around five key pillars designed to transform campuses and accelerate student achievement:
- Highly Effective Principals and Teachers
Outstanding educators are identified using both quantitative and qualitative measures. To attract and retain top talent, ACE provides three-year stipends that incentivize highly effective principals and teachers to join ACE campuses.
- Instructional Excellence
ACE schools cultivate a culture of high expectations. Teachers receive targeted professional development, frequent coaching, and data-driven feedback, ensuring daily lessons meet the needs of every student.
- An Extended School Day
Students benefit from 30 extra minutes of focused math and ELA instruction each day, as well as up to 90 minutes of optional after-school enrichment programming. This additional time creates greater opportunity for learning and exploration.
- Mental Health and Social Resilience
Resources and programs are embedded to support students’ emotional well-being, helping them build resilience and develop positive relationships with peers and staff.
- Parent and Community Partnerships
Principals and teachers actively welcome families as partners in their child’s learning, recognizing that collaboration strengthens both academics and school culture.
A Proven Model for Success
Alice Boucher follows in the footsteps of J.W. Faulk and Baranco Elementary, where ACE has already produced impressive academic gains. Superintendent Francis Touchet noted the impact:
“We expected to see growth with the ACE model, but the results have exceeded our expectations. Students benefit not only in math and ELA performance, but also by learning how to engage with peers and teachers in meaningful, productive ways. ACE creates an opportunity for lasting success.”
Leadership and Vision
Principal Tara Walker and Assistant Principal Allison Clouse-Dugal will guide Alice Boucher through this important transition. Their leadership, combined with the ACE framework, will ensure that students have every opportunity to thrive.
As Alice Boucher Elementary embarks on this exciting new chapter, the school community stands ready to embrace the opportunity ACE brings—cultivating excellence, resilience, and achievement for every student.
