Press Kit

Founded in 2013, InspireNOLA Charter Schools is currently one of the highest-performing open-admission charter management organization in New Orleans, Louisiana and is the only network with one A-graded school and two B-graded schools. InspireNOLA currently serves more than 5,800 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade at 8 schools:

  • Alice M. Harte Charter School (Algiers) is a high-demand, high performing school that is ranked one of the top three elementary schools in the city. A staff of 90 serves 800 students and is a founding school of InspireNOLA.
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School (Algiers) serves 730 students. Nearly 90 staff members are working to ensure Eisenhower will RISE to distinction with the values Respect, Integrity, Scholarship, and Excellence.
  • Andrew H. Wilson Charter School (Broadmoor), ranked 7 out of 44 elementary schools, has 90 staff members serving 730 students.
  • Pierre Capdau S.T.E.A.M. Charter School (Milneburg) joined the InspireNOLA family in the 2020-21 school year and serves 650 students.
  • Edna Karr High School (Algiers) a founding school of InspireNOLA, serves about 1,100 students with a staff of 100, in one of the best schools both academically and athletically in the city of New Orleans.
  • Eleanor McMain Secondary  School (Uptown) is ranked in the top five open-enrollment schools in the city. More than 950 scholars and 100 staff continue to uphold the history of excellence that is the Mighty Mustangs.
  • McDonogh 35 High School (Gentilly) is steeped in history as the first public African American high school in the state and is currently home to 900 students and 65 staff who are dedicated to rebuilding the legacy of this school.

Media Contact

All media requests and inquiries should be directed to:

Shandrell Briscoe

Senior Manager of Strategic Communications, InspireNOLA Charter Schools

504-227-3067

shandrell.briscoe@inspirenolaschools.org

FOI Request

If you would like to request public records from InspireNOLA Charter Schools, please follow the process described on the form: InspireNOLA Public Records Request Form

InspireNOLA Press Kit

Download a zip file with all the information listed below.  See our Press Photos page for hi-res photos of staff, logos, school buildings

  • About us
  • Mission and values
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • InspireNOLA fact sheet
  • School Fact sheets
    • Harte
    • Wilson
    • Eisenhower
    • Capdau
    • Karr
    • McMain
    • McDonogh 35

    About InspireNOLA Charter Schools
    InspireNOLA Charter Schools operates a network of eight public charter schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 2013, InspireNOLA is one of the highest-performing open-admission charter management organizations in New Orleans. InspireNOLA currently serves more than 5,600 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. 

Jamar McKneely, InspireNOLA CEO

Biography:  InspireNOLA Chief Executive Officer Jamar McKneely oversees the entire InspireNOLA network, including setting the vision of the organization and ensuring the success of all schools and leaders. He co-founded the organization in 2013. Mr. McKneely previously served as a teacher and Assistant Principal of Edna Karr High School and then as the Principal of Alice M. Harte Charter School. Under his leadership, Alice Harte increased its School Performance Score (SPS) by 25 points, achieved an A letter grade, and became ranked in the top 10% of public schools in New Orleans. Prior to becoming an educator, he served as a budget analyst for two non-profit organizations in Baton Rouge. Mr. McKneely earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Southern University and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Louisiana State University. 

Dr. Wylene Sorapuru, InspireNOLA Chief Academic Officer

Biography:  Chief Academic Officer Dr. Wylene Sorapuru oversees student achievement across the InspireNOLA network through support and management of school and network academic leaders to implementing rigorous academic programming, maintaining positive school cultures, planning for continuous data-driven school improvement, and providing development and accountability structures for teacher and leadership quality. Prior to joining with InspireNOLA, she served in several roles across Orleans Parish Charter School Systems, such as Chief Academic Officer, School Principal, Director of Reading Initiatives, Director of Early Childhood, Associate Professor of Educational Administration and Leadership, and first-grade teacher. During her tenure, she led three low-performing charter schools through the turnaround process, each earning Top Gain state results. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New Orleans and a bachelor's degree in Education from Southern University at New Orleans.