A historic building in the heart of the French Quarter, McDonogh 15 suffered little structural damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina, but the grounds were devastated and the interior ravaged by mold. Along with a number of other public schools, McDonogh was not sceduled to reopen after the storm. But an inspired group of community members took the initiative to prepare the school to reopen by carrying out much of the refurbishment work themselves, and choosing to adopt the innovative KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) model.KIPP is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts is a public charter school operated by KIPP New Orleans as part of the Louisiana Department of Education?s Recovery School District (RSD).

KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts combines a tradition of creative-arts education with KIPP?s high expectations and academic excellence. Their mission is to provide all students, regardless of gender, race, religion, or ability status, with the rigorous academic, character, creative arts, and civic training they need to succeed in and contribute to their high school, college, family, community, and the competitive world beyond.Through a partnership with Earth Day Network (EDN), teacher Elijah Sproles and his students have taken action to make their school greener and less energy consuming. With help from EDN, they started a school and neighborhood recycling program in the French Quarter, replaced the entire school’s light bulbs with energy efficient CFLs, and installed a 1,000 sf green roof ? the first ever at a New Orleans school. Over 20 Target company volunteers helped with the greenroof, too,via their Target Hands On Earth Day Project April, 2007.