Education

Higher Education in the Baton Rouge Area

As the home of both the state's flagship university and the main campus of the only historically black university system in the United States, Baton Rouge offers an exciting range of educational and cultural opportunities.

Louisiana State University (LSU)
LSU's academic excellence shines through its nationally-ranked degree programs and world-renowned faculty and research staff. Since its first commencement in 1869, LSU has awarded nearly 200,000 degrees. That number continues to grow and includes some of the nation's best and brightest graduates. LSU leadership recently launched a plan for increasing the university's national presence by 2010 called the LSU Flagship Agenda. Additionally, the LSU Tiger Athletics program has gained national recognition for fostering successful college sports teams and players that go on to professional leagues. For recreational athletes, the University offers an array of recreational sports team and a newly-renovated sports complex. From museums and theater to leisure classes and intramural sports, LSU offers an array of experiences that prepare students to be the leaders and workers of tomorrow.

Southern University
Comprising three campuses that make up the nation's only historically black university system, Southern offers a world of opportunity for more than 10,000 students (17,000 students in the entire system). Its growth appeals to and touches the live of people in an ever-widening circle of communities from around the globe. The University offers programs of study ranging from associate degree to doctoral and professional degrees. With a dedicated and talented faculty of teacher-scholars consisting of approximately 500 persons, Southern University provides opportunities for students to do internships and summer assignments in industry and with the federal government. Southern provides advantages for intellectual and personal growth through training by the division of Military Science (Army ROTC) and Naval Science (Navy and Marine ROTC).

Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC)
The Baton Rouge Community College is an open-admissions, two-year post-secondary public institution, designed for high-quality education, accessibility, and affordability. The mission of BRCC is to offer collegiate and career education through comprehensive curricula leading to: transfer to four-year colleges and universities, community education programs and services, life-long learning, developmental education, distance learning, and workforce and continuing education programs. The variety of offerings prepares students to enter the job market, to enhance personal and professional growth, or to change occupations through training and retraining. Students of BRCC continue their educational and professional journeys with transfer credits, program certificates, and associate degrees.

River Parishes Community College
River Parishes Community College is an open-admissions, two-year, post-secondary public institution that serves a Mississippi River-side region called the River Parishes. The College provides curricula leading to Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. River Parishes Community College also partners with the communities it serves by providing programs for personal, professional, and academic growth.

Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)
The mission of the LCTCS is to improve the quality of life of the State's citizens through educational programs offered through its colleges. The LCTCS strives to increase opportunities for success in Louisiana skilled and technical workforce through skills training programs. The Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges, created in 1999, serves as the management board for Louisiana's ten 2-year institutions. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System includes programs at Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Delgado Community College, L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College, Louisiana Delta Community College, Louisiana Technical College (with its 40 campuses), Elaine P. Nunez Community College, River Parishes Community College, South Louisiana Community College, and SOWELA Technical Community College.

Public Schools in the Capital Region

The 12 public school districts in the Baton Rouge area-Ascension, Baker, Central Community, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, and Zachary-are committed to providing opportunity for quality education and personal growth for all students. School districts in the region also provide opportunities for advanced learning through Gifted and Academic Magnet programs and tailored programs in music, visual arts, and dramatic arts. Additionally, the Capital Region is home to four of the top ten performing districts in the state.

Private Schools

For more information on the region's private and parochial schools, call the state Department of Education's Division of School Accountability at 225.342.3724. For a partial list of contact information for selected private schools, go to the Newcomer's Guide in the City Guide.