Establishment of
Elite Academy
Charter Approved by BESE: December 2024
Grades Served: We will begin our inaugural school year in the fall of 2027, with grades Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. The school will serve grades Kindergarten through 6th grade during the first 5-year term and add grades 7th & 8th in subsequent years. One grade will be added each year. Budgeting for 3 sections per grade level, we will reach full capacity of 630 students in the 2030-2031 school year.
Executive Summay
ELITE Academy (EA) will provide a framework offering parents school choice in meeting their child’s educational needs, whether special, gifted, talented, or those not reaching benchmarks for their grade level in the core subjects (i.e. Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies). ELITE will consider the best interests and needs of all scholars who are economically disadvantaged, according to LA R.S. 17:3972. EA seeks to serve a diverse student population reflective of Louisiana's rich cultural and socio-economic fabric. ELITE’s offerings are designed for students to receive an investment to build upon the development of their core cognitive, social, and emotional skills which support the goals of Louisiana’s state charter school law. (LA R.S. 17:3972.1) The developmental learning experience during the primary grades cultivates the environment affecting secondary education. EA’s vision and mission of life-long learning are individually tailored for student advancement and academic achievement.
ELITE Academy is a subsidiary of Thrive Community Enrichment and Development Corporation, a secular 501c3 non-profit organization in good standing.
Founder's Message
ELITE Academy has been driven by a community-based trust that includes a wide and varied spectrum of thought partners, including business and education professionals, community organizers and champions of education reform.s)
Dr. Cathy S. Banks, Founder
Meet the dedicated team at Elite Academy who are committed to providing a supportive and enriching educational experience for all students.
Tamara Clark
PRINCIPAL
Principal Tamara Clark brings more than two decades of experience in education, instructional leadership, and student development to her role as Principal of Elite Academy. A dedicated educator and proven school leader, she has helped strengthen student achievement, support positive behavior, build meaningful family and community partnerships, and collaborate with faculty and administrators to create a cohesive vision for student success. Throughout her career, Ms. Clark has demonstrated a deep commitment to meeting the needs of diverse learners through academic intervention, multi-tiered support systems, relationship building, and strategic planning. Her classroom and leadership experience reflects her passion for creating engaging learning environments, supporting teachers, working closely with families, and helping students develop the confidence, discipline, and knowledge needed to thrive. Principal Clark earned her Master of Arts in Teaching, Bachelor of Arts in English, Associate of Arts in Spanish, and Master +30 in English from McNeese State University. She holds a Louisiana Department of Education Teaching Certificate in Secondary English for grades 6–12 and Educational Leadership Level 1 certification. As Principal of Elite Academy, she is committed to leading with integrity, fostering a culture of excellence, and ensuring that every student is supported, challenged, and prepared for success.
Board Members
Ethel Fields
TREASURER
CALCASIEU PARISH​
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Stephanie Segura
BOARD SECRETARY
JEFFERSON COUNTY
/ TEXAS
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Judge Cynthia Guillory
MEMBER AT LARGE​
CALCASIEU PARISH
Cassandra Johnson
MEMBER AT LARGE
CALCASIEU PARISH
Cierra Lemon
MEMBER AT LARGE
CALCASIEU PARISH
Mundreun Blackstone
MEMBER AT LARGE
CALCASIEU PARISH