OPELOUSAS, la. (KLFY) — In Opelousas, crews are hard at work building the brand-new JS Clark Leadership Academy to bring 21st century education to seventh through 12th grade students.

Tiffanie Lewis, CEO of the Academy, shared how she looks forward to bringing advanced educational resources to the youth of the community.

“I’ll go further than that, 22nd century.” Tiffanie Lewis said.

The new academy will give students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and a college degree simultaneously in their new facility and looks forward to getting even more students involved.

“We have put out over 126 college graduates over the last eight years of our existence.” Tiffanie Lewis said.

Principal of the school, Victor Lewis, said not only is the school bringing this innovative education system, but it is also in a facility he and Tiffanie Lewis played a role in designing.

“It’s not a cookie cutter school.” Victor Lewis said. “We actually sat down with an architect for three months and actually design the school ourselves.”

“This school has a coffee shop that students will run. We expect to have some of the best food that our students will be served in. Opelousas, a recording studio, athletic trainer facility.” Tiffanie Lewis said.

With the Lewis’s being Opelousas residents, they are excited to have the Academy being built on the west end of the city and look forward to the potential of giving modern education, new opportunities to their community and setting a new standard of excellence.

“The school is made up by people that live in this community.” Victor Lewis said.

“This school is in the city for the city by the city. And so, we’re excited to pour into the community with new leadership, new blood and great citizens, of course, of Opelousas.” Tiffanie Lewis added.

Construction on the campus is expected to be complete in the summer of 2026.

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