Accelerated Academics @ E.J. Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette

Students can accelerate academics at our school to make time for the other things they need and love like learning a trade, working, or training for the Olympics.

Could your child benefit from the flexibility of home school with the resources and connections of the public school system?

Our online learning platform gives us the flexibility to schedule students for a continuum of options ranging from on-the-go learning to daily support in a small, peaceful school setting. 

Students in sixth through twelfth grade are eligible to apply.

Career Center Classes

Students have access to Career Center Classes when enrolled prior to August 1st. To be considered students must also submit a Career Center Application.

On-the-Go Learning

Families can opt into on-the-go learning where the student is only required to attend in person to take tests when the student is on track with their progress in all courses and maintains a grade of 75%.

Students will have other attendance requirements when taking a course that requires he/she take a standardized test.

Students must use a LPSS Chromebook for all work to be eligible for on-the-go learning.

In-Person Learning

Students who benefit from the structure of a more traditional setting report to 200 18th Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 daily.

Learning

Edgenuity is an online learning platform and will be the primary tool students use to earn Carnegie Units towards their Louisiana High School Diploma. Students will also participate in small group learning sessions to support their success.

Courses will be added to the students’ official Louisiana State Transcript after successful completion and clear audits for academic integrity. 

School Enrollment

Academic Acceleration Students are enrolled and graduate from the Lafayette Parish School System Edward J. Sam Accelerated School.  Students graduate once all diploma requirements are met. Ceremonies are held twice annually. 

Steps to enrolling:

• Apply here.

• Participate in Pre-Testing starting in June 2026.

• Await feedback on whether or not your child will be invited to orientation.

• Attend orientation.

• Use the information from orientation to make a determination if Academic Acceleration is the right choice.

• Unenroll from current school.

• Provide withdrawal papers from the base school to us on the student’s first day.

Eligibility

• Lafayette Parish resident

• 6-12th grade

• Strong reading comprehension skills

• Self-motivation

• Discipline

• Students must earn at least 6 Carnegie Units per year to remain eligible.

• Caution: Students may not leave E.J. Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette during the school year to enroll in a traditional public school due to the nature of the student schedules.

Cost

ID Fee $5

Student Parking Pass $40 optional

No tuition and no class fees for academic acceleration (some apply for career classes)

Donations are appreciated! Checks can be made payable to the W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center and require either an email or letter stating what the money can be used to purchase. For example, “Please accept this donation to support student needs, incentives, celebrate success, and employee appreciation.”

Dress Code

Students are to follow the Lafayette Parish School System Dress Code.

Diploma Pathways

TOPS University Diploma. Students planning to attend a four-year university immediately after graduation focus their studies on an academic curriculum aimed at meeting university admissions standards and qualifying for TOPS scholarships.

JumpStart Career Diploma. Students entering two-year colleges, technical/vocational schools, or the workforce focus on a career pathway and earning an industry-based credential to qualify for graduation and TOPS Tech scholarships.

HiSET. Students who are 17 and older and are not on track to graduate though another diploma path may be considered for the high school equivalence test preparation on our campus.

Meals

The Lafayette Parish School System serves breakfast and lunch daily.

Transportation

Transportation is provided by the Lafayette Parish School System. Students ride a bus from their home to their zoned LPSS High School and then take a school bus to 200 18th Street. 

Schedule

School Hours 7:05 am - 2:05 pm

First Tardy Bell 7:35 am

Student Dismissal 2:05 pm

The Lafayette Parish School System Calendar is followed for days of instruction and holidays. Additional summer dates are also set annually for students to accelerate at even higher rates.