QUALITY OF LIFE

Ascension Parish offers the best of urban and suburban living. The parish has seen a significant population growth since 2000. Just about anything is available in this thriving community that can be found in Baton Rouge.

Ascension Parish is home to two hospitals and residents are just 15 minutes away from an abundance of healthcare options in neighboring Baton Rouge.

Abundance of Housing

Housing development has grown to meet the varied needs of new residents. From 2000 to 2005, Ascension Parish ranked #1 in single-family residential sales growth and was responsible for 18% of homes sold in the Baton Rouge 9-parish metro area and boasts the highest average home price of $233,000 (March 2007)

The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office boasts 280 deputies protecting the parish. Violent crimes such as rape and robbery are consistently in the single digits in communities throughout the parish.

Ascension Parish Tourism : Events and historic sites. From swamp tours to plantation homes, there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep residents and visitors busy in Ascension Parish. Just to name a few-Houmas House, Historic Donaldsonville Museum and the Ascension Community Theatre. Shopping at the Tanger Outlet Mall or enjoying one of Louisiana's most important foods at the Jambalaya Festival.

Aggressive Education System

The Ascension Parish School Board is keeping up with the growth pace in the parish. Major construction projects to meet the goal of five new schools is underway; renovation of two high schools; investment in wireless technology upgrades for all schools; completion of the strict district accreditation process; and establishment of a practical leadership assessment process that will help to make the school system one of the best in state, are just of few of the plans.

Ascension Parish's 28 primary and secondary schools have contributed to its 83 percent high school graduate or higher educational attainment in 2005. Its aggressive growth plan to increase the number of schools and enhance technology infrastructure will allow the system to stay ahead of the current and assist with future growth.

The Parish is home to both a community college-River Parishes Community College- and a technical school-the Louisiana Technical College Ascension Campus - offer technical curriculum for those seeking to increase skills and knowledge in high school as well as after graduation in preparation for work in local businesses. Programs including process technology, welding, automotive technology, accounting, and basic skills are offered at the campus through associate degrees, certificates, and training. Credits earned at the campus are transferable to Louisiana’s two and four-year degree programs at the area’s colleges and universities.

The local campus also works closely with existing and new industry to develop training in skill sets needed in business. One example is the PTEC or process technology program developed several years ago in anticipation of the chemical industry's aging workforce.

Below are just a few of the facts about schools in the Ascension Parish Public School System:

• All public schools in the parish are state approved and are recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education as meeting the standards prescribed by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• All schools have attained regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
• Teacher-studentratio of 22:1
• Report cards for all schools in the public school system can be found on the Louisiana Department of Education web site.

Primary/Secondary Education

Ascension Parish School Board

2010 Enrollment

Colleges & Universities

With ten colleges and universities and outstanding community colleges the Baton Rouge area is blessed with thousands of well-educated, well-rounded young professionals which join the labor force annually. These graduates come from a range of studies including engineering, medicine, business, law, information technology, and many more, which support the diverse group of industries.

River Parishes Community College and the Louisiana Technical College Ascension Campus have programs in place to support local industry. With input from industry, the PTEC or petrochemical technology program was designed to develop a workforce with skills in welding and processing technology. In preparation for work in this aging industry, junior and senior high school students train in this hands-on program, while completing studies at area schools.

Associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in industrial instrumentation technology, automotive technology, welding, process technology and several other programs are offered through this campus. In neighboring Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Community College offers over 120 credit courses and industry training sessions.

Healthcare