by Hanna Singh
A bright future lies ahead of the Choudrant High School’s class of 2025.
Nearly all of the graduates qualified for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), marking a major academic milestone for the school.
Nearly every graduate is eligible for some type of tuition assistance if they choose to attend college or technical school.
94% of the graduating class met Louisiana’s residency requirements to qualify for at least one level of a TOPS scholarship. The program, administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOFSA), offers financial support to eligible students pursuing higher education in Louisiana.
TOPS includes four award levels: TOPS Tech, for students pursuing vocational or technical training. TOPS Opportunity, for students with a 2.5 GPA and 20 ACT score. TOPS Performance, requiring a 3.0 GPA and 23 ACT score. TOPS Honors, awarded to students with a 3.5 GPA and a 27 ACT score or higher.
The journey to qualifying for TOPS has been an ongoing effort for several years, as each student underwent multiple sessions of ACT and Workeys testing and remediation. Choudrant High School Principal Chris Jones expressed his pride in the graduating class and their dedication.
“We are extremely proud of this group of students.” Jones said. “Over the last 2 years we have focused on trying to increase our ACT Index. We’ve tested each student in workkeys and ACT multiple times.”
Choudrant High School’s performance can also be attributed to a constant effort over the past two years to improve ACT scores, WorkKeys results, and overall academic performance. The school has embraced a strategy of data-driven instruction, closely tracking students’ progress and providing targeted remediation in specific areas where they need the most help.
The school’s ACT prep program, led by Janna Crowe and Stephanie Young, has been a driving force behind the exceptional increase in the number of students qualifying for TOPS. Both Crowe and Young have been instrumental in creating personalized test preparation, working closely with students to strengthen their weaknesses and enhance their strengths. Their dedication has paid off, as Choudrant High has seen a noticeable spike in their ACT Index.
“Janna and Stephanie have done an outstanding job preparing our students for the ACT,” Jones said. “Their work has not only increased our students’ test scores but also boosted confidence in their academic abilities. We’re so proud of the effort they’ve put into this.”
This year’s efforts were further supported by the generosity of local businesses, who donated cash prizes to students who reached key academic benchmarks. Students who scored a 20 or higher on the ACT or earned a Gold or Platinum level on the WorkKeys exam were put into a drawing for financial prizes as an incentive for their hard work.
For many of these students, receiving a TOPS scholarship means a significant reduction in the financial burden of college. Whether they plan to attend a four year college, or a technical college within the state, TOPS opens the door to a wide range of educational and career opportunities without a heavy price tag.
Choudrant High School class president, Colton Smith highlighted the determination of his class as well as the assistance they recieved from teachers and staff.
“As the Class President of 2025, I’m incredibly proud of the way our class has stepped up this year. We put a big focus on improving our ACT index and WorkKeys scores, and it really paid off,” Smith said. “Our teachers and administrators pushed us to do our best, but it was our class’s determination and hard work that made the biggest difference. This is something we’ll always be proud of as a class.”
As these students prepare to take the next step into their adult life, they can do so knowing that higher education is within reach, thanks to the support of TOPS and the dedicated educators at Choudrant High School.
“TOPS is an opportunity,” Jones said. “It’s not just about improving test scores and SPS, it’s about giving our students the chance to attend college and start a career without the financial strain of student loans. We’re excited for what this means for them and for our community.”
