By Kyle Roberts
Nearly a dozen people attended an informational presentation by Jenny Morse, Learning Pod Director for Ruston’s branch of the Louisiana Key Academy, a free-tuition charter school solely for students that have been diagnosed with dyslexia.
“Today was about getting information to people about the school,” Morse said. “There’s nothing like it in our area. There are three other campuses in the state, but there’s nothing up here in Ruston.”
Louisiana Key Academy is already operating in Covington, Baton Rouge, and the Shreveport area.
The school is planning to start with second, third, and fourth grades and has a maximum capacity for 51 students currently. The goal will be to continue to expand grades over the coming years.
“The Louisiana Key Academy in Baton Rouge is the flagship, and it’s gone into high school,” Morse said. “It had kindergarten through ninth grade this year. The other campuses are limited, but they’re only one and two years old so far.”
Morse said she has seen interest in the area already and wants to bring awareness for how dyslexia affects learning in children.
“It a different way of reading in your brain,” Morse said. “It’s not as efficient, so you struggle. You need more time. We know what to do to help it, and that’s what the school is about — trying to get that problem exactly narrowed down so that students with dyslexia can be remediated.”
The target launch is set for August 15, 2024. Morse said that a building has been secured tentatively, but chose not disclose where until everything has been finalized.
Morse added in her presentation that the curriculum for LKA will be similar to public school curriculum since it is a charter school. Three staff members are being interviewed currently, and will be trained as dyslexia specialists.
Potential students will need to complete of thorough review of documents and testing to determine a dyslexia diagnosis.
Parents interested can email Morse at jenny.morse@lakeyacademy.com for more information.
