Hynes Breaks Ground on New $28 million Hynes-UNO Campus

Hynes Charter Schools Breaks Ground on 

New $28 million Hynes-UNO Campus 

New Hynes-UNO building opening Fall 2024

(NEW ORLEANS, LA, March 29, 2023) – Today, Hynes Charter Schools CEO Dr. Michelle Douglas, UNO President John Nicklow, along with the Hynes Charter School Corporation Board of Directors and Friends of Hynes Board joined many partners and supporters at the groundbreaking of the new Hynes-UNO Campus, located at 1901 Leon C. Simon Dr. on UNO’s campus.  

The new $28 milllion, 900+ student Kindergarten-8th grade building is expected to be completed in Fall 2024 by Lemoine Construction, with design by Grace Hebert Curtis Architects.

“The Hynes community is thrilled to break ground on the Hynes-UNO campus,” said CEO Douglas. “Our Hynes family is expanding and we could not be more excited to have this new state-of-the-art building where our students can thrive and learn within the framework of a Hynes education.” 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 foundation. 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-3rd grades, 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. 

“The University of New Orleans is proud to deepen its partnership with Hynes Charter Schools through this project,” said UNO President John Nicklow. “Together we are helping to create a legacy that will provide educational benefits to the people of New Orleans for generations to come.”

Grace Hebert Curtis Architects worked closely with teachers and staff to develop a student-centered learning environment to serve K-8 grade students. The school is divided into two buildings: The South Building houses administrative offices, classrooms, and media center spaces; the North Building contains enrichment classrooms and commons areas. 

The interiors were inspired by Hynes’ focus on STEAM and were designed to create an engaging setting 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, please visit the school website at www.hynesschool.com,

####

About Hynes Charter Schools:

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.

About UNO:

The University of New Orleans (UNO) is a major research university in one of the world’s most fascinating cities. For more than 60 years, it has been one of the city’s foremost public resources, offering a diverse set of world-class, research-based programs, advancing shared knowledge and adding to the city’s industry, culture and economy. Since 1958, UNO has educated students from all 64 Louisiana parishes, all 50 states in the United States and more than 140 countries. Today UNO offers more than 40 undergraduate and pre-professional programs and more than 40 graduate programs.