Table Of Content( 
TYPE 2 
CHARTER SCHOOL 
APPLICATION 
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The New Orleans MilitarylMaritime Academy 
AUGUST 24, 2010
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Executive Summary 
MIssIOn:  The mission of the New Orleans Military/Maritime Academy 
(hereinafter the "Military/Maritime Academy") is to educate high school 
students, no matter their background or preVIous school experience, to fully 
achieve their personal and academic potential through the acquisition of core 
knowledge and the skills of analYSIS, problem-solving, communication, and 
global responsibility. 
The Military/Maritime Academy Will provide an educational environment 
based on a model of self diSCIpline that fosters positsve behavioral attitudes, 
builds self- esteem, instills personal responSibility, creates accountability, and 
teaches ethical decision making.  The academy will provide a safe and 
effective learning Institution, providing a learning environment that is 
conducive to the educational and overall well being of students. 
The academy Will engage student cadets in learning expenences and 
activities that will enable them to exceed Louisiana state academic goals and 
tests and to prepare them for post secondary education  The academy will 
develop and improve student cadet skills in the areas of leadership, 
citizenship, character development, self discipline, communication, group 
dynamics, team building, and other related areas  The academy will structure 
the educatlona! experience in order that student cadets gain the ability to 
(  think logically and to communicate effectively. 
AcademIC Philosophy  The MilitarylMaritime Academy believes that the 
purpose of education is primarily the development of Skills, concepts, 
knowledge, processes, and attitudes necessary for students to become 
responsible, productive clbzens  The MllitarylMantime Academy also 
recognizes the characteristics that are unique to each individual and Will 
provide a process for development and expression of each student's Innate 
potential and talents. 
A standards-based managed curriculum model shall be used to ensure that 
Graduates have had the learning experiences necessary to develop the skills, 
concepts, knowledge, processes and attitudes that are essential to success in 
higher education and in the work place. 
A standards-based cumculum model IS based on the following: 
•  All students are capable of achieVing at higher levels In learning 
core academiC knowledge prOVided by formal schooling 
•  Schools, in partnership With parents and the community, have the 
responsibility of controlling the conditions of success. 
•  Schools can maximize the learning enVIronment for all students through 
explicit and clear objectives, high expectations for all students, and a 
)  continuous, balanced assessment of student learning. 
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•  The Instructional process can be adapted to improve learning 
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•  Successful student learning must be based on providing meaningful 
experiences to insure maXimum student achievement. 
The Military/Maritime Academy's JUnior Reserve Officer's Training Program 
(JROTC) Academy Will provide a unique learning opportunity for highly 
motivated students who desire a distinctive educational experience. 
Established by the National Defense Act of 1916 and expanded in by 
Congress in 1964, the JROTC program operates within a disciplined military 
framework to train student cadets in leadership and motivational skills that Will 
serve them dUring their school years as well as throughout their lives. 
The Military/Maritime Academy seeks to replicate (with regional and cultural 
adaptations and even greater academic success) the successful model of the 
Noble Street Charter School In Chicago, IL  Appendix A is an Information 
Paper (with enclosures) that addresses the academiC success of the Noble 
Street Charter School 
Finally, by using the strategic framework offered by the CHARACTER 
COUNTS!® coalition, students Will receive expliCit instruction In the area of 
moral literacy; Ie, character development, values, ethics and ethical 
decision-making; and be Immersed in a school community that embodies 
these values  AppendiX  B contains statistics relative to the success of 
(  1  CHARACTER COUNTSI® in school systems throughout the country.  An 
overview of the CHARACTER COUNTSI® organization and framework can 
be found at www charactercounts org. 
Students who chose the Military/Maritime Will be privileged to study in a 
focused, college preparatory environment guided by a team of teachers and 
retired military instructors who bring unparalleled experience to the 
classroom.  The expectation of the Academy is that cadets Will develop their 
minds In an atmosphere where active learning stimulates curiosity.  The 
MilitarylMantime Academy Will provide the structure and personal motivation 
needed by youth to succeed in our changing world. 
Core Values About Teaching and Learning:  Shared beliefs of all stakeholders 
are 
•  The best pOSSible education is the birthright of every indiVidual, 
•  All students can learn, and every student should be challenged to 
reach hiS or her full potential, 
•  Parents should be actively engaged partners in their student's 
academic learning; 
•  Academic placement and Instruction should correspond to the 
indiVidual's profiCiency, but Instruction in and attainment of grade level 
expectations for all students is a moral Imperative of the school; 
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- ,  •  Students functioning below grade-level should receive remedial 
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instruction to catapult them forward; 
•  Students funcbonlng above grade level should be allowed to 
accelerate through the curriculum, 
•  Character education is the primary obligation of families, but schools 
share this responsibIlity; 
•  Schools should offer explicit instruction In character development and 
ethical decision-making; 
•  Schools must estabhsh a positive moral ethos and provide an 
environment of high ethical standards and respect that is Integrated 
Into all aspects of school life; 
•  Adults must serve as consistent models of moral leadership; 
•  Nurture of the whole student through the arts, athletics, and community 
service IS vital to academic, social, and ciVIC accomplishment; 
•  Substantial and dIrect involvement of all stakeholders (students, 
teachers, parents, support staff, and community) IS essential in the 
development and realization of the school vision 
School structure and LeadershIp Team:  The Military/Mantlme Academy shall 
be governed by a three to seven member board of directors.  The Board of 
Directors Will be composed of ciVIC or educational leaders from the greater 
New Orleans commumty  The membership of thiS board will be composed of 
(  a rich cross-section of the community, with each member bringing a needed 
and valued Skill-set and perspective to school governance  Broadly speaking, 
the responsibilities of the Board of Directors are as follows. 
•  Formulation and supervision of overall school pohcy, 
•  Formulation of long-term and annual goals; 
•  Approval of and supervision of the execution of the school's annual 
operations budget, 
•  Support the school's mission and purposes; 
•  Select the School Leadership Team and assess Its performance; 
•  Ensure effective organizational planning and sound broad policy, 
•  Ensure adequate resources, 
•  Oversee the management of school resources by the Leadership 
Team; 
•  Enhance the school's public standing; 
•  Ensure legal and ethical integnty and maintain accountability; 
•  Recruit and orient new board members and assess board 
performance; and 
•  Large-scale fund-raising. 
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The make up of the Mili+..ary/Maritime Academy Leadership Team shall exhibit 
a solid balance of educational and military experiences and excellence.  The 
Leadership Team must articulate and demonstrate a vision of integration of 
military practices into the high school environment.  The Commandant reports 
directly to the Board of Directors and IS the Board's pnncipal advisor on all 
military and academic matters.  The Commandant IS charged with total 
Implementation of the military academy program to include complete 
coordination all Department of Defense elements. The Commandant will 
supervise the Principal in the performance of his duties.  The PrinCipal reports 
directly to the Commandant and is responsible for coordinating and directing 
all daily academic and extracurncular activities of the academy  The leaders 
will work cooperatively to ensure the requisite balance and integration of 
these two essential programmatic components to fulfill the school's mission 
and viSion.  The AsSistant Principal and JROTC Officer are the chief deputies 
of the academy leaders, and are likewise charged With the balance and 
integration of the military, character education, academiC, and extracurncular 
components 
Short and Long-Term Goals: The Military/Maritime Academy's short term 
goal IS to open school in the fall of 201 0 With an enrollment of approximately 
100 ninth graders.  All pieces of the Instructional model will be In place, on a 
small scale, for these students who Will become the graduating class of 2015 
Depending upon the status of the renovation of the desig nated school 
buildings on board the Federal City, these students may be housed in an 
alternative site proVided by the Recovery School District  These students will 
be offered the curriculum (academiCS, military discipline and procedures, 
ethics) outlined In Section three of thiS application.  Student progress Will be 
evaluated and assessed In accordance with guidelines delineated in Section 
3.  Each year the school Will add a ninth-grade class and grow by one-grade 
level, apprOximately 100 students each year.  Staff and activities Will grow 
proportionately.  Short-term (within the first four years) academic goals are: 
•  80% of freshmen will be on track to graduate, 
•  50% of Juniors will meet or exceed state standards, 
•  80% of all student cadets Will gr~duate within five years of entry, 
•  80% of graduates Will enroll in post secondary education (full or part 
time), and 
•  The Academy Will post a 90% annual attendance rate. 
Long-term (year five and beyond) academiC goals are. 
•  80% of freshmen Will be on track to graduate, 
•  70% of Juniors (who have been with the school since ninth grade) will 
meet or exceed state standards, 
•  95% of all student cadets Will graduate Within five years of entry, 
•  85% of graduates Will enroll in post secondary education (full or part 
time), and 
•  The Academy Will post a 95% or better annual attendance rate. 
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Operationally, from day one, the Military/Maritime Academy will exhibit sound 
fiscal practices and posture.  The school will expand in size and scope 
systematically and incrementally each year, so as to ensure funding, faCilities, 
equipment, programs, and personnel are not over-extended or of poor quality; 
and that adequate planning and preparation has been accomplished prior to 
each expansion  The long-term operational objectives of the school are a 
modern, well-maintained facility; modern equipment and superb technology; a 
sustained record of sound fiscal management, a track record of superb 
operational support of programmatic elements, and the establishment of an 
endowment to ensure future fiscal solvency and modernization and 
refurbishment as the school becomes an older and established educational 
institution. 
Effectiveness of the School Model in ImproVing Student Achievement and 
Appropriateness for aJ/ students in the Target Population: 
All ninth grade Students of the Military/Maritime Academy will be enrolled in 
the LA Core 4 Curriculum.  The LA Core 4 Curriculum was one of the 
recommendations of the members of the High School Redesign 
Commissioners and was adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary 
Education (BESE) In 2007.  It IS designed to graduate students from our high 
schools that are more prepared to be successful In the real world.  The LA 
Core 4 Cumculum addresses the goal of prodUCing students that are both 
(  career and college ready. This CUrriculum is a more rigorous set of course 
requirements  Students will have to pass four academic subjects in each of 
the following areas: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  Only after 
their second year In high school will students be given the option to opt out of 
the LA Core 4 Cumculum with parental permission. Students who opt out Will 
be able to receive a regular high school diploma.  Based on research and 
intensive study of best practices, BESE adopted the LA Core 4 Curriculum In 
order to speCifically add ngor and relevance to high school studies.  In 
implementing both the LA Core 4 college preparatory curriculum and the 
school-to-work curnculum, the school will utilize the Louisiana 
Comprehensive Curriculum which IS aligned to state content standards (as 
defined by grade-level expectations) and organized into coherent, time-bound 
Units.  The Louisiana ComprehenSIVe Cumculum content and suggested 
activities are likewise grounded In research-based strategies and documented 
best practices. 
The balance and Integration of the three educational components offered at 
the MilitarylMantime Academy (academic, social, and character education) 
will provide a unique learning opportunity for highly motivated students who 
desire a distinctive high school educational experience.  The Military/Maritime 
Academy Will afford the structure and enVIronment to foster academiC 
success and the personal motivation and skills needed by our youth to 
succeed in our changing world. 
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Mission and Vision 
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MIssIon'  The mission of the Military/Maritime Academy is to educate high 
school students, no matter their background or prevIous school experience, to 
fully achieve their personal and academiC potential through the acquisition of 
core knowledge and the skills of analysIs, problem-solvmg, communication, 
and global responsibility 
The Military/Maritime Academy Will provide an educational environment 
based on a model of self discipline that fosters positive behaVioral attitudes, 
bUilds self- esteem, instills personal responsibility, creates accountability, and 
teaches ethical decision makmg  The academy will provide a safe and 
effective learning Institution, providing a learning environment that is 
conducive to the educational and overall well-being of students. 
The academy will engage student cadets m learning experiences and 
actiVities that will enable them to exceed LOUisiana state academic goals and 
tests and to prepare them for post secondary education  The academy will 
develop and Improve student cadet skills in the areas of leadership, 
citizenship, character development, self discipline, communication, group 
dynamics, team building, and other related areas.  The academy will structure 
the educational experience In order that student cadets gain the ability to 
think logically and to communicate effectively. 
VIsion: Our vision IS to become a renowned educational institution wherein 
young women and men are challenged and nurtured by a rigorous, college 
preparatory or education-to-career curricula; both of which are designed to 
assure student learnmg, student progress, and student achievement resulting 
in exceptional post-secondary qualifications  The qualities of self-discipline 
and intnnsic motivation to excel will be mstilled through a superior Junior 
Reserve Officers' Trammg Program.  The process of ethical decision makmg 
will be mculcated through an expliCit character education program. 
Philosophy.  The MihtarylMantime Academy believes that the purpose of 
education is primarily the development of skills, concepts, knowledge, 
processes, and attitudes necessary for students to become responSible, 
productive citizens.  We believe that our students have a right to receive a 
quality education, to learn in a safe. protected, and disciplined environment, 
and they should be encouraged by the academy, the parents and the 
commumty to manifest their dreams through self-actualization. 
We believe that the educational Institution should foster academic and 
personal excellence, develop the Ideals of respect, Integrity and fairness; and 
embrace community participation within a safe school environment.  Shared 
beliefs of all stakeholders are 
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•  The best possIble education is the birthright of every indIvIdual; 
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All students can learn, and every student should be challenged to 
reach his or her full potentIal; 
•  Parents should be actIvely engaged partners in theIr student's 
academic learmng; 
•  Academic placement and instruction should correspond to the 
Individual's proficiency, but instruction in and attainment of grade level 
expectations for all students is a moral imperative of the school, 
•  Students functlomng below grade-level should receive remedial 
instruction to catapult them forward, 
•  Students functlomng above grade level should be allowed to 
accelerate through the cUrriculum, 
•  Character education is the primary obligation of families, but schools 
share this responsibility; 
•  Schools should offer expliCit instruction In character development and 
ethical decision-making; 
•  Schools must establish a positive moral ethos and provide an 
environment of high ethical standards and respect that is integrated 
into all aspects of school life, 
•  Adults must serve as consistent models of moral leadership; 
•  Nurture of the whole student through the arts, athletics, and commumty 
service IS vital to academic, social, and civic accomplishment, 
•  Substantial and direct Involvement of all stakeholders (students, 
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teachers, parents, support staff, and community) IS essential In the 
development and realization of the school vIsion. 
The JROTC component is elemental to the realization of the school vIsion. 
The JROTC mission is "To motivate young people to become better citizens," 
which is accomplished through. 
•  promoting CItizenship, 
•  developing leadership, 
•  communicating effectively, 
•  strengthening self-esteem, 
•  providing the incentive to live drug free. 
•  Improving physical fitness, 
•  promoting graduation from high school, and 
•  working as team members 
Established by the National Defense Act of 1916 and expanded In by 
Congress In 1964, the JROTC program operates within a military framework 
to train student cadets In leadership and motivational skills that will serve 
them during their school years as well as throughout their lives. 
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The CHARACTER COUNTS!® constituent  is likewise Integral to fulfillment of 
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the mission and attainment of the organization's viSion·  The seminal 
mamfesto of the CHARACTER COUNTS!® framework for the teaching of 
morality and ethics states,  "The character and conduct of our youth reflect 
the character and conduct of society, therefore, every adult has the 
responsibility to teach and model the core ethical values, and every social 
institution has the responsibility to promote the development of good 
character" (The Aspen Declaration, 1992) 
Target PopulatIOn·  The Mllitary/Mantlme Academy Will target high school 
students in the greater New Orleans area, to include students who reside in 
Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes. 
The Military/Maritime Academy IS designed to be "on par" with other 
successful college preparatory schools in the area and should thus be a 
Viable choice for all area students, both those who will pursue post-secondary 
education and those who will choose the education-te-career track.  Students 
who are accepted Into the academy Will have successfully completed the 
eighth by meeting minimal state standards and demonstrating basic skills in 
reading, communication, and mathematiCS. 
Due to the extra standards Imposed upon students at the Military/Maritime 
Academy (JROTC drill, code of conduct, character education), and the 
(  "school of chOice" descriptor conjoined with charter school philosophy, it IS 
expected that students who apply will have the desire and motivation to be 
challenged academically and succeed in the Corps of Cadets  The academy, 
parents/guardians, and the student cadet will sign a compliance contract 
which expliCitly states that attendance at the Military/Maritime Academy is 
voluntary, but that enrolled students must partiCipate in the JROTC program 
Failure to satisfactOrily partiCipate In JROTC will result in ineligibility to attend 
the school 
The Superintendent of the LOUisiana Recovery School District, Mr. Paul 
Vallas, was the Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools when the Noble 
Street School was established  He was influential in the conceptual and 
actualization stages of development, and thus he and his staff are committed 
to the establishment of the Military/Maritime Academy and wholehearted Iy 
supportive of Its success in order that students In the greater New Orleans 
area, so long deprived of sufficient quality public education choice, can avail 
themselves of the proven efficacy of this model. 
The Military/Maritime Academy Will initially partner with the Recovery School 
District (RSD) for proviSion of several essential student services (Food 
service, transportation services, provIsion of homeless liaison, security and 
safety) and altematlve schooling for expelled students  Additionally, the 
Military/Maritime Academy will petition the LOUisiana High School AthletiC 
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Association (LHSAA), and  If allowed by the LHSAA,  MIlitary/Maritime 
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student cadets will be allowed to participate in intra-scholastic athletics as 
members of 0  Perry Walker High School (LHSAA Class 4A) teams. (A 
Memorandum of Agreement with the RSD is appended, Appendix C.) 
The Military/Maritime Academy Will, also, partner With Belle Chasse Academy, 
a kindergarten through eighth grade Type 2 charter school, which serves 900 
students, 95% of which are military dependent students.  Belle Chasse 
Academy Will serve as a primary feeder school to the Military/Maritime 
Academy, and will offer partnership In the following areas·  Response to 
Intervention (Rtl) Implementation, pupil appraisal services, JOint professional 
development, shared electives Instructors, and joint extracurricular activity 
participation.  Memorandum of Agreement with Belle Chasse Academy is 
appended, Appendix D ) 
Enrollment Projection Chart: 
Name of School: Military/Maritime Academy, Type 2 Charter School 
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Grade Level  Year  Year  Year  Year  YearS 
i 
Pre-K  0  0  0  0  0 
(  K  0  0  0  0  0 
, 
1S1  0  0  0  0  0 
! 
2"C  0  0  0  0  0 
I 
3rd  0  0  0  0  0 
I  I 
4m  0  0  I  0  0  0 
!  I;  
5m  0  0  0  0  0  I 
, 
6'"  0  0  0  0  I  0 
I 
7m  I  0  0  0  0  0 
I 
8m  !  0  0  0  0  0  I 
j 
9'"  !  100  100  100  100  100 
i 
I 
10111  0  100  I  100  100  100 
I 
11'"  0  0  !  100  100  100 
12th  0  0  0  100 
Total  100  200  300  400  400 
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Description:School structure and LeadershIp Team: The Military/Mantlme Academy shall be governed by a three to  and ethical deciSion making IS substantiated in numerous surveys and stUdies across the nation .. effectiveness of the curriculum, Instructional methods, and practices by uSing data obtained on