Friends of Hynes Signs Lease Agreement with UNO for New Hynes-UNO Campus

Friends of Hynes Signs Lease Agreement with UNO for New Hynes-UNO CampusNew Hynes-UNO building expected to open Fall 2023 

Hynes Charter Schools CEO Dr. Michelle Douglas announced that Hynes Charter School Corporation/Friends of Hynes and the University of New Orleans (UNO) have executed a lease on the land for the construction of the new Hynes-UNO Campus, to be located on approximately nine acres near St. Anthony and Leon C. Simon on UNO’s campus.  The new Kindergarten-8th grade Hynes-UNO school building is expected to be completed for the Fall of 2023.“The Hynes community is so excited to have this agreement with UNO for the land to build our new state-of-the-art campus,” said CEO Douglas. “The Hynes family is expanding and we are thrilled to have this new space for our amazing students to learn and grow.” The Hynes partnership is made possible through cooperation from UNO, NOLA-PS, and the University of Louisiana System, said Dr. Douglas.Hynes-UNO opened for the 2019-20 school year, replicating the Hynes Charter Schools curriculum, core values, and framework. The Hynes-UNO campus is temporarily housed at the Jean Gordon swing space, located at 6101 Chatham Dr., until the new school is constructed.  Hynes-UNO currently serves grades K-2nd,  eventually growing to a full K-8th grade school focused on a well-rounded, core curriculum with a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) focus. The school also offers a French immersion program.“This is an important step in the process that will result in a brand new Hynes-UNO facility on the University’s campus,” said UNO President John Nicklow. “We are looking forward to the future of our partnership with such a high-quality K-8th grade school and seeing the benefits our community and city will realize.” 

Grace Hebert Curtis Architects worked closely with teachers and staff to develop a student-centered learning environment to serve K-8th grade students. The school is divided into two buildings: the south building houses administrative offices, classrooms, and media center spaces and the north building contains enrichment classrooms and commons areas. The two structures are connected by a secure covered pavilion that facilitates learning activities as well as movement between buildings.The interiors were inspired by Hynes’ focus on STEAM and were designed through a play on words, “STEM from Nature”, creating engaging settings for discovery and development. Nestled between the bustling academic powerhouses of Ben Franklin High School and the University of New Orleans, the new Hynes-UNO campus creates the optimal setting for its anticipated 900+ students to thrive and grow throughout their pivotal developmental years.

Hynes currently operates two other schools in addition to Hynes-UNO, including their A-rated Hynes-Lakeview campus (PK3 – 8th) and their Hynes-Parkview campus (K-8th) in the Gentilly Woods neighborhood.  Hynes Charter Schools are some of the highest demand, non-selective admissions elementary schools in Orleans Parish.For more information, contact Heather Harper (504) 289-0499 or hharper@h2nola.net.  For more information on Hynes Charter Schools, please visit the school website at www.hynesschool.com  

#### Hynes offers a challenging academic curriculum that includes a progressive literacy program; gifted and talented courses, classes in art, instrumental music, vocal music, library, theater and physical education. Art and social-emotional learning are integrated throughout the curriculum.  In addition, Hynes offers a French Immersion program at two campuses.  Hynes is proud of the collaborative culture that it fosters with distributed leadership and shared decision-making. Hynes has identified five core elements that drive its success: 1.) student centered instruction, 2.) an inclusive and positive school culture, 3.) tailored enrichment opportunities for students, 4.) an invested and committed community and 5.) having a sustainable organization.