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Livingston Parish podcast spotlights student of the year and district programs that boost college and career readiness
Summary
On LPPS’s inaugural District Download podcast, a Live Oak High senior described graduating with 46 college credit hours earned through AP and dual-enrollment, while district leaders outlined programs, graduation rates and operational scale that support student success.
Superintendent Jody Purvis introduced the first episode of the Livingston Parish Public Schools District Download podcast and invited listeners to hear from Rachel Henry, a graduating senior at Live Oak High School and the district’s High School Student of the Year.
Rachel Henry said the district’s AP and dual-enrollment offerings have prepared her for college-level work. “I’m gonna graduate with 46 hours going into college,” she said, explaining those credits let her skip introductory courses and begin higher-level classes in clinical psychology. Henry said she took dual-enrollment courses through Southeastern, North Shore University and Northwestern and that those experiences showed her the workload and online platforms she will face in college.
The presenter said the district serves nearly 27,000 students across 42 schools with about 3,800 employees and highlighted program variety including Livingston Virtual and Pine Ridge alternative school. “Ninety percent of our schools are either A or B” under the state accountability formula, the presenter said, and noted the district ranks ninth in the state by that measure. He also described the district’s career-and-technical offerings and a Jump Start pathway designed to leave students with credentials for high-demand jobs.
Rachel described specific career-and-technical options at Live Oak, including ProStart (culinary), welding, electrical and carpentry, and said many classmates graduate with industry certifications and internships. “I have friends who’ve already earned internships and they’ve already applied for places because they have that certification,” she said.
The episode also highlighted operational scale: the presenter said the district prepares and serves about 33,000 meals per day and that roughly 77% of students are economically disadvantaged. Transportation was raised as a challenge of scale: buses travel over 1,500,000 miles per year across the parish, he said.
On the personal side, Henry discussed student leadership and service: she described founding an off-campus worship night tied to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that drew students from multiple schools, and she credited a close friend’s resilience and an enthusiastic eighth-grade teacher for shaping her outlook. Henry said she earned a full scholarship and will attend Louisiana Christian University in Pineville, citing campus fit and proximity to family.
The podcast framed these personal stories within district priorities: expanding STEM centers, making career-and-technical credentials accessible at low or no cost to students, and sustaining high graduation rates—more than 93%, Rachel and the presenter said—through broad staff support.
The episode closed with a call to listeners to subscribe and a promise to feature additional guests and departments in future District Download episodes.
