School

In August, Cedarwood School will celebrate 40 years of educating children in the Mandeville/Covington area. In the 40 years since its establishment, school president Kathy LeBlanc and the faculty and staff of Cedarwood have fostered a love of learning for the thousands of children who have passed through their doors.

With a reputation as one of the finest private schools in the Southeast, Cedarwood traces its roots to a dream that Kathy and Maxie LeBlanc imagined when they moved from New Orleans to Mandeville with their two young daughters. Having been an education consultant in four parishes, Kathy had an idea of the kind of school she wanted for her daughters. “I saw some schools that created positive and effective learning environments and some that were in desperate need of stronger leadership and more critical attention to the students. Those experiences were influential in providing a basis for creating the mission of Cedarwood School,” explains Kathy. Ideally, the LeBlancs wanted a great school coupled with a small community lifestyle. “We saw a need for a quality early childhood program in our community.” Not finding the combination they desired, the LeBlancs decided to build one. In 1983, the LeBlancs built their dream school for young children that is nestled in a neighborhood on Heavens Drive in Mandeville.

The area’s first private school to be accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs and Cognia began with forty-eight preschool students; today, the school has an enrollment of 310 preschool, elementary, and middle school students. The thriving seven-acre campus boasts a 10,000 square-foot gymnasium, Jr. Olympic - size swimming pool, baseball and soccer fields, and a generous well-equipped play area graced by an abundance of trees and green space for exploring and playing. For Cedarwood, the outdoor space and play area are essential for students as they develop their motor skills, social interaction, creativity, and imagination. Outside play is key in educating the whole child, a foundational element for the small elementary school.

Cedarwood is a different elementary environment than others similar to it for a number of reasons. The most significant of those reasons is the small size. Learning and growing in a small school environment allows students to stand out as individuals. Students, faculty, and staff know each other in a small setting like Cedarwood. Such a setting promotes cognitive and emotional growth for each student and gives them a sense of safety. The smaller school setting also allows teachers to focus on the actual process of pupil learning. With smaller class sizes, teachers can determine what is best for the individual student regarding learning styles and educational needs. Another aspect that makes Cedarwood so different is the meaningful sense of community. Starting the day as a community is vital to President Kathy LeBlanc, “We start our day with a whole school assembly to build community and offer a positive start to the day for our students.” Undoubtedly, this community-building start to their day is equally vital to the Cedarwood students.

Kathy LeBlanc believes, “Teachers are the most important people in our children’s lives. They are powerful and influential in forming a platform for the love of learning.” When it comes to the teachers at Cedarwood School, they are tops. Each is certified, well-qualified, experienced, and caring. Kathy proudly describes those remarkable educators: “They are creative, collaborative, and courageous people who dedicate their energy to inspire our students every day.” The love and dedication that Cedarwood teachers share with students are apparent, as evidenced by the number of students who return to visit them.

Look no further than Cedarwood School for a diverse and unique learning environment, a progressive curriculum, and dynamic, caring teachers. Integrate these critical elements with a beautiful, inviting campus and a small, close-knit community. The result is what Cedarwood strives to create for each of its students, which is “A Foundation for Life.”