The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges for school and district leaders in Acadiana. BESE has put out a list of minimum standards and best practices, but specific plans for restarting school in the fall are being decided on the district level.

The list below will be updated as more plans are announced.

Acadia Parish

Acadia Parish Elementary school (PK-5) students will go back to school 5 days per week. Starting in 7th grade all students will be on the hybrid model with students being grouped into "A" and "B". They will be on campus part-time until Louisiana enters Phase 3 when all students will return to campus. First day of school: August 17th.

You can read the plan and a message from the Superintendent by clicking HERE.

Evangeline Parish

Evangeline Parish schools have not put out their full plan for reopening yet, but their website is promoting the Evangeline Virtual Academy for online learning. A recent survey was posted for parents to answer a survey about their intentions for the fall semester. First day of school: August 12th.

You can take the survey and find out more about the Virtual Academy.

Iberia Parish

From the Iberia Parish School Board: Currently, the plan provides a choice for parents. Students from grades K - 12 may choose a full virtual option with teacher monitoring. However, we highly recommend that children in grades K - 2 attend face-to-face to ensure the establishment of foundational reading skills. Another choice for elementary students is a face-to-face option with students remaining in static groups during the day. Middle and high school students may choose the hybrid option of attending two days per week face-to-face and three days virtually with teacher access. The selected choice will have to remain in place until the next grading period changes. First day of school: August 17th.

You can read the full "Strong Start 2020" plan by clicking HERE.

Lafayette Parish

Lafayette Parish students will go back to in a hybrid model using both in-person and virtual methods. Parents have the choice of going all virtual with the Online Academy. On-campus learning will happen in shifts with students being divided into "A" and "B" groups. First day of school: August 17th.

You can read the full "Learn Lafayette" plan by clicking HERE.

St. Landry Parish

St. Landry Parish students won't go back to classrooms for the time being as district leaders decided on an all-virtual method of learning. The biggest challenge for district officials will be to get the appropriate technology in the hands of students to start this way. KATC reports the St. Landry Parish School Board voted for the "all virtual" model after teachers came together and expressed their apprehension about returning to the classroom. First day of school: August 20th.

The complete plan has not yet been made available on the district website.

St. Martin Parish

From the St. Martin Parish School Board: St. Martin Parish will implement face-to-face education for students in grades K-5. All students will report to their respective classrooms daily while maintaining the 24 to 1 ratio. Students will remain with this static (same) group of students throughout the day. In grades 3-5, students will remain in their static groups while teachers change classes to educate them in different subjects/content areas. Grade 6-12 will be a hybrid model with "A" and "B" groups established with part-time in-person instruction. First day of school: August 12th.

Read the full document with guidelines for reopening by clicking HERE.

Vermilion Parish

Students in Vermilion Parish will go back to school 5 days per week with limits on the size of groups that can be together on campus. The VPSB website says schools must maintain static groups or “cohorts” of students, understanding that individuals within a group may come into close contact and may not be wearing face coverings. Static groups are cohorts of students who remain together in a learning environment throughout the day. Interaction between static groups on campus is minimized. Phase 1- 10 students. Phase 2 - 25 students. Phase 3 - 50 students. First day of school for students: August 27th.

You can read the full "Strong Start 2020: Better Together" plan by clicking HERE.