Académie Lafayette International High School Celebrates First Graduating Class

KANSAS CITY, MO June 10, 2024 - In May, Académie Lafayette International High School (ALIHS) proudly recognized its first class of graduating seniors, a milestone serendipitously aligned with the school district's 25th anniversary.

"Where do I start with these seniors?" stated Kate Absher, ALIHS International Baccalaureate Literature teacher, who also leads the school's esteemed debate and theater programs. "We have been through an awful lot with each other over the past four years. This group is unique."

During the graduation ceremony, valedictorian Estella Roodman delivered an inspiring address, emphasizing the hard work, dedication and trust demonstrated by each student in pioneering this new high school. She also underscored the significance of establishing a strong foundation for future generations.

Some remarkable achievements from the ALIHS Class of 2024:

• 100% graduation rate
• 47% of graduates completed the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), compared to 25% in other local high schools offering the same program
• 100% of graduates took at least one IB DP exam
• 31% of graduates obtained credentials from Manual Career and Technical Center
• 68% of graduates earned the Seal of Biliteracy in French and/or Spanish

ALIHS opened in 2019 as the newest division of Académie Lafayette, a public charter school open to students across Kansas City. ALIHS boasts a 6:1 student teacher ratio and does not require students to speak French. The diverse school community has faculty hailing from seven different countries and a bilingual student population of 85%.

Class of 2024 graduates are heading off on a variety of career and educational paths, including two who have been accepted into universities in France. "My time with them is something I will cherish always, and I am so thrilled for all of them as they move to their next chapters," Absher said. "They will be so missed."

Enrollment is open for the 2024-2025 school year. For additional information about Académie Lafayette, visit www.academielafayette.org.

About Académie Lafayette

Académie Lafayette, a non-profit, tuition-free public charter school, was founded in 1999 as Missouri’s first charter to provide families in the KCPS district a high-quality option in public education. Académie Lafayette remains committed to its mission and its students, families, faculty, and supporters, and is one of the top-performing public schools not only in Kansas City, but also in the state of Missouri.

Contact:
Alyson Stewart
Director of Development
astewart@academielafayette.org
816.800.8771