Ouachita Parish Schools

West Monroe, LA

Bayou Bridges, Core Knowledge/Amplify (K-5), Louisiana Guidebooks (3-8)

April 16, 2025 - April 17, 2025



Media

Video
Kimberly Neal – Ouachita Parish Schools, West Monroe, LA

“They come to me almost like empty vessels. And so we pour into them in kindergarten, and then they just build on that.”

04/17/2025

Video
Meredith Branch and Lauren Cascio – Ouachita Parish Schools, West Monroe, LA

“I don’t dread social studies anymore. Kids are learning about places and actually caring. The connections with ELA also has been fabulous.”

04/17/2025

Video
April Cole – Ouachita Parish Schools, West Monroe, LA

“We knew students needed a strong foundation after COVID. CKLA gave us explicit, systematic instruction to address learning loss.”

04/17/2025

Video
Angela Barfoot – Ouachita Parish Schools, West Monroe, LA

“After I taught the first unit, it felt like this is great for me and great for them. They are telling me things I had hoped they would remember.”

04/16/2025

Video
Jessica Minter – Ouachita Parish Schools, West Monroe, LA

“Before the shift you always hear every year there’s this gap. I have not heard anybody talking about the gaps since we made this shift.”

04/16/2025

Video
Raelynn – Ouachita Parish Schools, West Monroe, LA

“We were reading Percy Jackson and able to bring some of the gods from social studies to reading … and it [was] easier for us to understand.”

04/16/2025

Video
Sarah Albritton – Ouachita Parish Schools, West Monroe, LA

“It’s not just a teacher standing and reading for 20 minutes. The engagement of them owning their learning is what’s really helping it stick.”

04/16/2025

Press Coverage
KNOE: Knowledge Matters Campaign visits Highland Elementary School
A national spotlight is on Ouachita Parish Schools this week, with the Knowledge Matters Campaign honoring the school system.

04/16/2025

Press Release
National Campaign to Visit Louisiana to Celebrate Exemplary History and Literacy Instruction
School visit will focus on knowledge-building social studies and ELA curricula

04/07/2025