Article Image Alt Text

The student body and teachers celebrate after hearing their school performance score.

Abbeville High celebrates after learning its an A school

They jumped from C school to A school in a year

There is a saying that it is more difficult to keep an A than it is to earn one.
Abbeville High School now has the happy opportunity to find out.
Principal Ivy Landry announced Thursday morning that Abbeville High is an “A” school based on the state’s grading system. Students erupted in cheers as Landry revealed the grade during a pep rally.
“I have been part of five championship teams as a coach,” Landry said. “This is a better feeling than those championships. Those were done with a small group. This has been accomplished with more than 600 kids working hard.”
Abbeville High made the jump this year from a C (84.7) to a 101.6 (A). The school recorded a D the year before Landry arrived.
“It’s simply amazing,” said Landry, who is in his sixth year as principal at the school. “This is about all of our students and teachers coming together to accomplish this.”
Alexyss Willis, a senior, said she is proud of her fellow students, each of whom received a T-shirt to recognized the accomplishment.
“It was a surprise,” Willis said Thursday. “I always knew that we could do it. I saw the potential of all students and peers.”
Francis LeBlanc has taught at Abbeville High for 20 years.
“This school is full of talented and lovable kids,” LeBlanc said. “People may not have always seen that. This is proof that we are ‘A’ quality.
“It’s wonderful. I have goose bumps.”
LeBlanc said the best part of Thursday was the reaction from the students.
“You can tell the kids are excited about it,” LeBlanc said. “It makes them feel good about what they are doing. When the students are that excited, it lifts us as educators to another level.”
Abbeville High has climbed to the top grade level. Can it stay there?
“We are surely going to work hard to get back here next year,” Landry said. “We are always up for a challenge.
“This is a great challenge.”
Willis said she feels the students following this year’s seniors will keep things on the right path.
“Seeing all of this can be a motivation for everyone,” Willis said after the pep rally. “I think we are passing the torch on to some good students.
“I really think the younger classes have what it takes to keep this going.”

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT

Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from Vermilion Parish. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Follow Us

Site Links

Subscriber Links