By any measure, a school is more than its walls. It is memory. It is movement. It is the sound of footsteps in a hallway that has seen generations. It is the feel of a space that either lifts students up or slowly wears them down.
This summer, in the quiet spaces between school years, something began to shift across campuses on Lafayette’s north side. It wasn’t flashy. No ribbon cuttings or marquee unveilings. But it was real, and it was necessary.
For years, the strength of these school communities has been visible in their people. It has lived in their traditions, their perseverance, and their pride. Now that strength is beginning to show in the spaces around them.
These campuses, located in District 4, reflect what is possible when thoughtful collaboration meets consistent advocacy. Recent progress has been supported by district leadership and informed by the steady focus of Board Member Amy Trahan on long-term improvements that serve both students and the community.
Below are the campuses where that belief began taking shape: in wood, paint, steel, and vision.
Northside High School: Where legacy meets new possibility
For decades, Northside High has served as a pillar of Lafayette’s northside. Its students have carried its reputation with pride, often despite the limitations of some of the buildings around them.
This summer, the school received the kind of focused attention that speaks volumes without saying a word. A new outdoor deck made of composite materials now offers a modern, functional gathering space. The front vestibule has been updated for a cleaner, safer entry point. Ceilings throughout the school, long in need of care, were repaired or replaced. Behind the gym, weight rooms and nutrition spaces were refurbished, reinforcing the importance of both wellness and athletic opportunity.
Even the library, a space so central to imagination and academic growth, received long-overdue attention. In short, Northside is no longer just standing strong. It’s standing taller.
Paul Breaux Middle School: A campus rooted in pride, finally matched by its surroundings
Paul Breaux holds a cultural weight that stretches far beyond its physical footprint. It has produced thinkers, artists, and leaders. But for years, the building’s condition told a different story. One of waitlists and workarounds.
That narrative is changing.
This summer, aged and rusted lockers were removed, freeing up and revitalizing corridors. Hallways were fully repainted and refinished. Water fountains were replaced with bottle-filling stations in both the main building and gym. A small but transformative shift for students who deserve modern, functional access to hydration. First-floor restrooms, long overdue for renovation, were updated as well.
These updates are not decorative. They are structural affirmations that the environment should match the excellence being cultivated inside.
Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary: Building access, building trust
The most significant change at Baranco isn’t just aesthetic. It’s architectural. A new vestibule is under construction that will serve as the home for both the school’s front office and counseling center. For students and families, this means easier access to services, clearer entry procedures that reinforce safety, and a more connected experience from the moment they arrive.
Covered walkways now connect this new space to the main building, providing protection during transitions and reinforcing a culture of care.
Combined with the installation of bottle-filling stations, these changes turn an often-disjointed arrival into a cohesive welcome. One that says, “You matter. We planned for you.”
J. W. Faulk Elementary: Order, safety, and small things that speak loudly
At J.W. Faulk, the improvements are deceptively simple. A new car rider line fence has been installed, improving safety for students during pick-up and drop-off. Inside, bottle-filling stations now replace outdated fountains, providing daily access to clean, cold water.
For a campus that already does so much to support its ACE students, these facility updates help align the physical campus with the values of structure, warmth, and equity that guide its staff every day.
Evangeline Elementary and Acadian Middle: Restoring basic dignity, one station at a time
At Evangeline and Acadian, some of the water fountains being used by students had been in place for decades. Their replacement with modern, efficient bottle-filling stations wasn’t just an upgrade. It was a correction.
There is power in the small things. Especially when those small things are used every day by every student. At these two schools, daily needs are being met with the same level of attention given to learning itself. And that matters.
W. D. Smith Career Center: Training for careers in a space that reflects their value
The carpentry shop at W.D. Smith Career Center is where students train for real careers, not just credits. The installation of a new ventilation system may not be visible from the parking lot, but inside the workspace, it’s transformational.
Better air quality means safer conditions. It means students can focus on learning without compromise. It also signals something else: that skilled trades students deserve facilities that are as future-ready as their coursework.
LeRosen: A space of respect, regardless of circumstance
At LeRosen, every detail matters. This summer, the addition of brand new cafeteria tables brought new life to a shared space where students and staff gather each day.
More than just furniture, these tables reflect a belief that comfort and functionality belong in every learning environment. By updating the spaces students see and use daily, we reinforce a message of consistency, care, and respect.
Investment here is quiet but powerful. It supports a culture that values every student, every setting, and every opportunity for growth.
The Bigger Picture: Investment is not just a decision. It’s a value.
These upgrades span campuses, grade levels, and facility types. But they are all rooted in one LPSS core value: Culture.
A school’s culture is shaped by many things. Curriculum. Leadership. Community. But it is also shaped by the condition of the space itself. When the physical environment reflects care, students feel it. Families notice it. Teachers carry it with them.
This investment in the Northside is not just a checklist of improvements. It is an ongoing promise made visible.
And it is only the beginning.
