WELCOME TO WAEL CENTRAL CITY
Where Possibility Begins
A bold new model for early learning in the heart of Central City—where children, families, and community come together to build brighter futures.
A New Vision for Central City
Welcome to Wilcox Academy Central City—a place where innovation, investment, and community come together to create something truly transformative.
Nestled in the heart of Central City, this state-of-the-art, two-story campus represents a bold vision for what early childhood education can become. More than an early learning center, it is an ecosystem designed to support children, strengthen families, and reflect the community it proudly serves.
From the moment families enter the building, every detail tells a story of intention, belonging, and possibility.
A Center of YES
Wilcox Academy Central City is a center of YES—where children are welcomed into an environment designed to inspire curiosity, comfort, and connection.
Every classroom is thoughtfully named after streets throughout Central City, bringing the neighborhood inside our doors and honoring the history, culture, and families that make this community unique.
Every space invites exploration. Every corner encourages discovery. Every interaction is rooted in care, intention, and possibility.
Built for Families
The Central City campus represents a new model for supporting families by bringing high-quality early learning and essential resources together.
Serving children from as young as two months through five years old, our classrooms provide nurturing environments where children can build confidence, develop relationships, and grow through meaningful learning experiences.
What makes this campus unique is its intentional connection to affordable housing, creating greater stability and access for families. By addressing both early education and family needs together, this model helps remove barriers and supports the whole child and the whole family.
Investing in the Future
This project reflects what is possible when organizations, leaders, and communities align around a shared purpose.
Through a combination of New Markets Tax Credits, philanthropic investment, and Capital Outlay funding from the State of Louisiana, Wilcox Academy Central City was brought to life as a model for what happens when early childhood education is recognized as essential infrastructure.
Here, families do not just find a place for their children to learn. They find a community built around opportunity, stability, and hope.
Meet the Central City Campus Leadership Team
Our leadership team is dedicated to fostering a welcoming community where children, families, and educators are empowered to build meaningful connections, embrace new opportunities, and achieve lasting success.
Laurena Rogers has been a dedicated member of the Wilcox Academy family since 2012, beginning her journey as a classroom teacher before growing into her role as Center Director. With more than a decade of experience in early childhood education, she leads the Central City campus with intention, integrity, and a commitment to creating nurturing environments where children, families, and educators thrive.
As a reliable CLASS observer, Laurena works closely with teachers to strengthen classroom interactions, mentor staff, and support continuous program improvement. Her thoughtful leadership, combined with her passion for developing educators, has helped shape the high-quality learning experiences families have come to expect from Wilcox Academy.
Outside of work, Laurena enjoys watching movies and singing, bringing the same warmth and creativity into her leadership that she shares with the children and staff she serves each day.
Join a community of educators dedicated to helping children love, learn, and lead.
Visit Our Central City Campus
ADDRESS
2723 Freret St.,
New Orleans, LA 70113
HOURS
Monday thru Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
PHONE
(504) 948-1827
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
Infant Care
Toddler Care
Preschool
Pre-K
Before & After Care
Summer Camp