The Louisiana Bar Foundation
Advancing Equal Justice and law-related education through Fellowship
Law Signature School Project
The Law Signature School Project provides funds for building a courtroom within schools that have been designated as
"Law Signature Schools" by the Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education. Law Signature Schools have a core,
law-related education curriculum available to high school students. This project builds upon the law signature school program by collaborating
with partners to create a courtroom environment for students. The LBF project goal is to foster interest and participation in
the legal profession and to provide a better understanding of the justice system. Regardless of ultimate career choices, students
will profit from having a greater understanding of the law and the political process. A courtroom has been completed at Northside High in Lafayette and one is scheduled to be built at Lake Charles-Boston Academy of Learning.
Educational Courtroom to be Built in a
Lake Charles High School
The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) has partnered with Lake Charles-Boston Academy of Learning (LCB Academy) to build a fully functioning courtroom at their Lake Charles campus. The courtroom will be fitted with judge, jury and advocate seating and will serve as the setting for mock trial competitions, speaker functions and future court proceedings.
The LBF Law Signature School Project provides funds for building a courtroom within schools that have been designated as "Law Signature Schools" by the Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education. Law Signature Schools like LCB Academy, have a core, law-related education curriculum available to high school students. The LBF project goal is to foster interest and participation in the legal profession and to provide a better understanding of the justice system. Regardless of ultimate career choices, students will profit from having a greater understanding of the law and the political process.
"This courtroom-classroom will create a unique environment to teach students about the law while encouraging them to participate and have a voice in their community," said LBF President Drew Ranier. "This space will allow us to introduce and engage a new generation in our state and national justice system."
Established in July 2007, the Lake Charles-Boston Academy was designed to create a center for extension learning services that expands and enhances the educational, artistic and career preparation of students throughout the Calcasieu School System. The law-related education curriculum will be available to the 11 schools in the Calcasieu School System and will be open to schools in Jeff Davis, Allen, Beauregard and Cameron Parishes as well.
The LBF's Southwest Community Partnership Panel (CPP) designated $15,000 to pay for the construction of the courtroom. Under the direction of Judge David Painter, the Southwest CPP works outside of the LBF's regular grant process to identify new areas of need for LBF funding, foster collaboration, respond to arising community needs and encourage local involvement in the designation of LBF grant funds.
With funding from the Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF), Northside High School in Lafayette has just completed the first courtroom-classroom within a school in Acadiana. The Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education (LCE) has designated a handful of high schools around the state as "Law Signature Schools" with Northside High being one. These high schools have a special law-related education curriculum, using class work and extra-curricular activities to encourage future careers in law and public service engaging students in a valuable educational experience.
The courtroom is fully functioning and is fitted with judge, jury and advocate seating for a comfortable and user friendly setting. This room will be the ideal setting for mock trial competitions, speaker functions and future court proceedings.
On May 4th the Louisiana Bar Foundation and Northside High School hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony signifying the opening of this Law Signature Courtroom located at Northside High School in Lafayette.