Lafayette’s first charter school since 2016 ready to open with twice the students initially anticipated

Indy-based Paramount makes Lafayette first in its statewide push, anticipating blowback from public schools as it fills a former Pay Less Super Market, where the last charter school gave it a go

• Sponsorship help today comes from Lafayette Urban Ministry. Celebrate National Immigrant Heritage Month by attending the Gala of Hope and supporting the Lafayette Urban Ministry Immigration Clinic.  The Gala of Hope is an elegant event in a grand facility filled with dancing to world beats, snacking on international bites and donating for out-of-this-world experiences. Join us and make sure that our immigrant neighbors have the LUM Immigration Clinic to help them navigate our country’s complex immigration system. Saturday, June 24, Wells Community Cultural Center, 638 North St. in Lafayette. Tickets: $75 for two.

FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

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PARAMOUNT, LAFAYETTE’S FIRST CHARTER SCHOOL SINCE 2016, READY TO OPEN

Things were all there and set last week for a ribbon cutting ahead of the Aug. 1 opening of Indianapolis-based Paramount School of Excellence, Lafayette’s first charter school since New Community School closed in 2016.

The cafeteria seating was up where the produce section and deli counters once were at the former Pay Less Super Market on Elmwood Avenue. Two extra classrooms had desks and whiteboards installed after registrations bumped to 233, well past the 125 Paramount told state regulators to expect in the K-8 grade school’s initial year. That’s closing in on the 300-student capacity the site can handle without an expansion into a second floor.

Newly hired teachers joined Greater Lafayette Commerce members for tours of fresh classrooms. Gym access has been secured for students and staff one door and a few steps away at the Faith Ministries’ neighboring North End Community Center. Right Steps pre-school classrooms, part of a partnership in the former grocery store layout, were waiting. The requisite ribbon-cutting certificate from state Rep. Sheila Klinker was delivered in person. (Klinker, a former public school teacher in Lafayette, took the microphone to tell Paramount officials and teachers: “We’re delighted you’re here.”)

Only one thing was missing, Tommy Reddicks, Paramount Schools CEO, said Friday.

Paramount School Lafayette, a new charter school, will open Aug. 1 in a former Pay Less Super Market on Elmwood Avenue. (Photo: Dave Bangert)

“We haven’t had a lot of negative pushback,” Reddicks said. “I was surprised. Because we’re used that, being seen as a threat and having to prove that we’re not – that there’s room in the community for what we do and to build trust and relationships with the city and the other school districts. …