Professional Development

The Orchard Foundation administers several components of The Rapides Foundation's Education Initiative, including coordination of professional development institutes for Central Louisiana educators.

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School Readiness

The Orchard Foundation's focus on School Readiness seeks to ensure more children are ready to enter kindergarten. Studies show children who attend some type of early childhood program before kindergarten are more likely to complete high school and go through their entire school careers without repeating a grade. 

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Career and Postsecondary Readiness

Assessments of Central Louisiana show that many young Cenla residents are not prepared for the next step after high school, and as a result are not in a position to obtain jobs that will ensure their future economic well-being.

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Partner Programs

The Orchard Foundation was established by The Rapides Foundation in 2004 to act as a nonprofit local education fund to improve educational opportunities for Central Louisiana educators.

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Education Impacts Health

Research tells us that when people are more educated, their health is better.

The Rapides Foundation’s Education Initiative seeks to increase the level of educational attainment and achievement among Central Louisiana residents as the primary path to improved economic, social and health status. The Rapides Foundation provides a grant to The Orchard Foundation to administer many components of its Education Initiative.

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Recent News

Educators gain career insights at summer WEE camps
Wed, 30 July, 2025

Educators gain career insights at summer WEE camps

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SECO 2024 Gives Students Opportunity to Learn, Connect, Plan for the Future
Fri, 10 January, 2025

SECO 2024 Gives Students Opportunity to Learn, Connect, Plan for the Future

Approximately 2,300 10th and 12th grade students from Central Louisiana gathered at the Randolph Riverfront Center...
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Read to Soar Program Reaching New Heights
Tue, 30 April, 2024

Read to Soar Program Reaching New Heights

Over the last six years, The Orchard Foundation – funded by The Rapides Foundation – has gifted more...
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Orchard Events

25
September
2025

Vernon Parish: Math to Build On Program

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22
September
2025

Avoyelles Parish: Read to Soar Program

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18
September
2025

Grant Parish: Read to Soar Program

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16
September
2025

Natchitoches Parish: Read to Soar Program

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09
September
2025

Allen Parish: Read to Soar Program

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