Students Rejoin Holy Rosary Campus with Head Start Program: ‘Essential to Our Mission’
The Holy Rosary Institute in Lafayette, Louisiana, recently reemerged as a vibrant center for early childhood education, welcoming nearly 60 preschool-aged children as part of the Prime Time Head Start and Early Head Start programs. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Tuesday marked the official opening of this satellite campus, signaling a new chapter for the historic institution.
Dustin Cravins, President of the Holy Rosary Institute Redevelopment Board, expressed enthusiasm for the reopening, emphasizing its significance not just for the institute itself, but for the broader Lafayette community. “We couldn’t be more thankful to have young people back on this historic campus. It’s very vital to the work we’re doing here,” Cravins stated during the event. The ceremony was attended by various local dignitaries including Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet, state senators, and city council members, underscoring the community’s support for this educational initiative.
The Holy Rosary Institute holds a significant place in the history of Lafayette. Founded in 1913, the institution originally served as a vocational and technical school for Black girls and women, becoming coeducational in 1947. The primary school had closed its doors in 1993. The recent establishment of the Prime Time program represents a crucial step in revitalizing the 40-acre site, which has been largely dormant for decades.
Prime Time Head Start is part of an expansive effort to provide comprehensive services focusing on health, nutrition, and education for low-income families. As a free program for children between birth and five years old, it not only aims to level the educational playing field but also to foster an environment of care and support for these young learners. LaDon Freeman-Williams, Director of the Holy Rosary Prime Time Center and an educator with over two decades of experience, articulated the program’s mission: “We’re here to give children an educational foundation, and the love and nurturing that they need to grow and excel in their future endeavors.”
The Prime Time initiative at Holy Rosary is one of four such programs in Lafayette and Iberia parishes. The earlier expansion and renovation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary campus exemplified the kind of growth and attention early education is receiving in this region. The Holy Rosary Redevelopment Corporation, formed in 2010, aspires to restore the campus’s significance through educational and community-focused developments, including plans for a new public library on the site.
“Holy Rosary matters to the community,” said Miranda Restovic, President and Executive Director of Prime Time Head Start. “It’s a historic place, and we want to be a part of bringing that back to life.” This sentiment encapsulates the broader community goals of restoring historical sites while simultaneously enhancing educational opportunities for future generations.
