ETHP is designed to incorporate the strengths of the school and community
and uses the natural and built environment as educational resources. It
has always integrated curricula and grade levels and has always related
what is taught to real world situations. It organizes the curriculum in
a manner that exploits the connection of art and architecture with other
subjects. The program has been an important tool for teaching citizenship
and community service. The program has also included the development of
mathematical concepts. Most importantly, the program has had a positive
impact on the students' self-concept, their future ambitions, their appreciation
of the past and how it affects the present and the future and their ability
to make critical decisions about the environment, both natural and man-made.
It is important for students of all ages to realize that their ideas and
opinions are important and that their creative statements are worthy of
exhibition in professional and academic galleries.
We believe that "Education Through Historic Preservation" is a
good way to teach and an exciting way to learn. It has been validated by
the Louisiana State Department of Education as an exemplary program marked
by outstanding instruction, significant student achievement, and broad administrative
and community understanding and support. But more importantly, it is commensurate
with our philosophy that if an historic site or landmark has the interest
of young people, then it has a future!
