By james art 
The Louisiana Academy of Manufacturinga new 9-12 charter school with an emphasis on film and digital media being planned for Baton Rouge has received charter approval from the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Fallon Ward, the school’s executive director, says Daily report that those involved in the project work as if the charter has already been approved for some time. However, she says the approval represents an important milestone for the project.
“This means we can move forward with the vision of opening a first-of-its-kind film and production high school in Louisiana,” says Ward.
Now that the school charter has been approved, what happens next?
According to Ward, LAAP has already begun the process of building its team and engaging with the community, including with prospective students. Through the school’s newly launched website, interested teachers can I am applying for a job and prospective students can join its waiting list.
Although the location is yet to be finalised, project stakeholders remain fairly certain that the LAAP will be built near Celtic Studiosthe largest purpose-built film stage in the southern Persian Gulf. The school is currently exploring a partnership with Celtic Studios, which will provide its students with “real-world experiences,” Ward says.
LAAP is expected to open in August 2026. At full capacity, the school will be able to serve between 400 and 600 students, although only 75 to 100 freshmen will be enrolled for its first academic year. A new grade level will be added in each of the next three years.
Once operational, LAAP will offer students both core academic training and specialized training in manufacturing-related fields. These students will be able to graduate with industry-recognized certifications, giving them an early start in the job market.