OUR MISSION
Our mission statement’s creation was guided by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s definition of the purpose of education:“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically . . . Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”-Martin Luther King Jr. Through a rigorous curriculum, an achievement-oriented school culture, and a values-based education, Foundation Preparatory Charter School equips all of our students for academic and life success.
OUR VISION
Prepsters will gain the academic knowledge and develop the character necessary to advocate for themselves, their families, and their community in the pursuit of making a better New Orleans and the world.
About Gentilly
Known as the long, graceful New Orleans neighborhood, Gentilly stretches from Esplanade Avenue up to the Industrial Canal. Gentilly’s naturally occurring ridge is made from 19th-century shotguns to early 20th-century bungalows, and, now, mid-20th century ranch houses. Nestled in a landscape of wizened trees, wide lawns, and the broad boulevard called Elysian Fields, Gentilly is a place that generations of New Orleans families call home. Gentilly’s chief landmark and pride is the Historical Black College or University (HBCU), Dillard University, quickly followed by a place we like to call home, the Medard H. Nelson school building.
Nelson Hilaire Médard (1850-1933) was an African-American Creole who began the educational path to become a Catholic priest, but his studies were interrupted by the death of his parents. Returning to his home in New Orleans, he founded and operated a private school for African-Americans in the late 19th century, the Nelson Hilaire Medard School was originally located at 1218 Burgundy St. Later, in the 21st-century,the Orleans Parish School Board opened the Médard H. Nelson Charter School at 3121 St. Bernard Avenue, in honor of Nelson Hilaire Médard and all of the hard work and dedication he showed to the Gentilly community. The school has been a staple of the community and now the proud home of Foundation Preparatory Charter School’s Kindergarten to 5th grade campus.