Frequently Asked Questions

This is a nontraditional school for students who are at least 15 years old and in seventh grade or higher. It is designed to assist students to accelerate their learning and to graduate with a high school diploma. The school would be a fit for students who may be home-bound, home-schooled, or looking at options outside of the traditional school setting. This would include students who may be more than one year behind, working, caring for a child, or suffer from anxieties. Counseling services, and childcare are available.

The school is located at the W. D. and Mary Baker Smith Career Center at 200 18th Street, Lafayette, LA.

Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette offers smaller class size, individualized educational plans for graduation, accelerated and self-paced online curriculum, flexible scheduling, and childcare for the children of students. The school does not follow the traditional school calendar nor bell times.

Yes. The Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette is a fully accredited school and offers a State of Louisiana High School Diploma to students who complete all graduation requirements.

The length of time it will take to complete all graduation requirements depends on how many Carnegie Units you have already earned. It also depends on how quickly you progress through each course. The more you work in and out of school, the faster you will complete courses toward graduation.

Completion timelines for courses depend on how quickly the student can work through the material and pass required tests. The completion goal for full-credit courses is 130 school days, and the completion goal for ½ credit courses is 65 school days. Working on courses outside of school hours, on weekends and holidays will help students progress through the material at a faster rate.

Assigned courses will be customized to allow students to begin working where they left off at their home-zone school. Students will not be required to restart courses in which they are currently enrolled at the home-zone school.

Each student’s plan is designed differently. In most cases, students needing more than three (3) courses for graduation are assigned a minimum of three (3) courses at a time. Once a course is successfully completed, the grade is posted to the transcript and the student is immediately assigned a new course. For EOC/LEAP2025 courses, the grade is not posted to the transcript until test scores are received, as the state assessment counts for 20% of the final grade for the course.

A student will be assigned to one or, possibly, two daily sessions depending upon age, credits and the level of academic support that is needed. This decision will be made on a case-by-case basis and will be communicated to the parent and/or student.

Students with disabilities or active IEPs will have necessary accommodations and services provided.

Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette operates through the summer. Students wanting time off from school can do what is called “banking time”. Banking time is when a student logs in additional work time in the online curriculum, in advance, to account for the school time they will miss. Banking time must be approved by the principal, and a plan for logging in the appropriate amount of extra time will be determined. BANKING TIME IS NOT AN OPTION DURING COVID PHASE 2 AND 3

Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette offers child care services in an approved child-development program located on the school campus. Students who enroll their child in the program will drop off and pick up their child from the center at the start and end of the school day.

Every student attending Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette is required to maintain 90% attendance. To progress appropriately and receive needed academic support, students need to attend school daily. We are not a work from home site. We expect regular daily attendance as scheduled.

Student transportation is offered using satellite busses from the base schools and/or various satellite stops around the district. Students under the age 18 will only be allowed to utilize transportation options designated by parents. Transportation options are limited for students utilizing childcare at the school.

Students enrolling in the Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette must commit to completing the current school year. Once the traditional school year has ended, a student in good standing may request to return to the home-zone school.

Students enrolled at the Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette are required to meet all course progression and behavior requirements. Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 courses each year, except when less than 6 courses are required for graduation. Students not meeting the course progression and/or behavior requirements may be referred back to the home-zone school or referred to other Lafayette Parish academic settings.

Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette follows all Lafayette Parish student policies with a few exceptions. The dress code at Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette will be unique to its school colors.

Breakfast and lunch are available to all students each school day. There is no food service on the traditional school holidays, when we are required to attend school.

Students may bring cellphones to school, however, cell phone use is not allowed during instructional time. Students may use cell phones before school, on breaks and after school. Students utilizing busses that satellite to other high school campuses must abide by that campus’ cell phone policy. We follow the discipline guidelines set forth by Lafayette Parish School System regarding cell phone infractions.

If a student has been assigned to LeRosen Preparatory School, the duration of the assignment must be completed. After successful completion, if the student meets the criteria to attend the Edward J Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette, he/she may be considered for enrollment.