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A new facility designed to assist students with learning disabilities at E.D. White Catholic High School is set to be completed by the end of this year.
Construction on the school’s new Academic Enhancement Center began in June, and the school announced it expects work to be done by December. The project doubles the current center’s size from 1,500 square feet to 3,000 square feet and will provide a number of new amenities for students in EDW’s Academic Enhancement Program.
The $1.2 million project was partly funded by local tugboat businessman Arlen “Benny” Cenac, who donated $150,000 to the cause through his A.B. Cenac Jr. Foundation. Cenac was originally slated to donate $50,000 to the school over three yearly installments, beginning in August 2016, but the school requested he fast-track the donation to expedite the construction. EDW President Tim Robichaux said Cenac’s donation is helping provide a giant boost to the school’s enhancement program.
“Mr. Benny’s donation will provide a solid foundation in order for the program to meet its goal to open this updated and newly renovated facility,” Robichaux said.
The enhancement program aims to help students with learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia and other reading disorders and math disorders reach their learning potential by providing different approaches to teaching and extra help when needed. Tools such as computers and small clusters of seating arrangements for group learning are some of the methods used in the program.
The new facility’s plans include lighting, interactive areas and non-structured learning to help those students in the program find a learning approach that best fits each of them. It will have a multi-classroom conference area, testing areas and offices. The school said the new enhancement center will be able to accommodate 170 students, and Robichaux said the school plans to expand enrollment in the program once the facility is completed.
Cenac showed “no hestitation” when he was asked to fast track his donation, according to a press release announcing the construction. Cenac said he supported the new building because all students deserve the opportunity to reach their potentials.
“Education is important for everyone, and students who have learning disabilities should have the opportunity to also receive the skills needed for a brither future no matter their circumstances,” Cenac said. “If we can assist in that, then I’m all for it.” •
