Discovery Schools is pleased to announce Charles E. Natt, Jr. has been named the Principal of Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy.
Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy (BROD) is a partnership between Ochsner Health and Discovery Schools. The school will be located at the former Runnels School at 17255 S. Harrel’s Ferry Road and is expected to open in the fall of 2023 with about 400 students in pre-K through fourth grade. The school will add a grade level each year until it reaches Pre-K through 8th grade, reaching a capacity of 742.
“We are thrilled to have Mr. Natt as Principal of our first Discovery school in Baton Rouge,” said Discovery Schools CEO Patty Glaser. “We know he will bring his expertise, skills, and professionalism to the role while embracing the core values of our high-performing Discovery Schools.”
Natt, a native of Monroe, LA, and resident of Zachary, LA, has over 15 years of classroom and educational leadership experience. He earned a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision and a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education from Southern University. Mr. Natt is completing a doctorate in education in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Prior to joining Discovery Schools, Mr. Natt served as the Assistant Principal at East Iberville Elementary and High School in St. Gabriel, LA. During his tenure, the school flourished with four consecutive years of growth and earned the “Top Gains” award from the Louisiana Department of Education. Under his direction, the school achieved an “A” rating in Graduation Rate, High School Progress, and Strength of Diploma. Additionally, the Early Childhood program earned a performance profile of “High Proficiency." Most recently, Mr. Natt served as the Principal of Baker Middle School in Baker, Louisiana.
"I am honored to have this opportunity to lead Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery and look forward to working together with a stellar faculty and staff while providing a learning environment that allows our learners to flourish through implementing academic structures and best practices to continue the success of Discovery Schools,” said Natt. “We will also work toward strengthening the connectivity between the school and community to promote student success.”
In addition to attaining academic success, Mr. Natt has been instrumental in developing high-performing athletic programs earning multiple state championship titles in basketball and powerlifting.
Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery is approved as a Type 2 charter, and students can enroll from anywhere in the state. Children of current Ochsner employees will comprise about half of the enrollment, while the other half will be open to the community. BROD will be a tuition-free, public school and offer a health sciences-integrated curriculum with the flexibility to adapt to students' individual educational needs.
Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery will be operated by Discovery Schools, implementing the structures and best practices that have contributed to the success of Kenner Discovery and Dr. John Ochsner Discovery in Jefferson Parish.