La. (WAFB) – A new charter school set to open in the coming weeks is taking a first-of-its-kind approach to education by weaving film and television production into every core class
The Louisiana Academy of Production is in its first year of operation. Executive Director Fallon Buckner-Ward said the concept jumps out beyond the local level.
“I mean it stands out not just here and across the state, but it is a nationwide nuance,” Buckner-Ward said.
The school will offer standard credits and coursework alongside a film and production curriculum embedded directly into core classes.
“All of their core curriculum that they receive will be integrated with film and television production,” Buckner-Ward said. “So when they walk into science, math, social studies, and ELA, there is some element of film and production.”
Buckner-Ward described the school as “an actual film and production-integrated high school.” Students will also have the opportunity to jumpstart a career in film. The school will serve ninth grade exclusively this year, with plans to expand year over year. Its inaugural class will include 75 students, with limited space still available.
Teacher Courtney Penilton is getting her classroom ready ahead of the school’s opening. Penilton, who has a background in film, said the school will give students room to grow.
“I feel like a lot of the kids here feel limited just in the space they exist in, and I think this school is going to be a place where they can explore outside of that on a broader spectrum,” Penilton said.
Down the hall, Claude Hill III is preparing to teach environmental science and media arts. Hill said the opportunity is one he would not have anticipated as a student himself.
“Louisiana is a film hub, so to have this opportunity to get those skills necessary to be successful once graduating high school will be pretty significant,” Hill said.
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