August 2025 marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina altered New Orleans forever. Much has been written about the storm’s destruction and the city’s long road to recovery. But tucked behind those headlines is another story. One that shaped the lives of thousands of children. Where the Schools Went is a five-part documentary series about what happened to the city’s schools after the levees broke, and how it led to the most radical education experiment in modern American history.
Where the Schools Went
Claim This Podcastby The Branch
4.5(73 reviews)
6 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
August 2025 marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina altered New Orleans forever. Much has been written about the storm’s destruction and the city’s long road to recovery. But tucked behind those headlines is another story. One that shaped the lives of thousands of children. Where the Schools Went is a five-part documentary series about what happened to the city’s schools after the levees broke, and how it led to the most radical education experiment in modern American history.
Language
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Publishing Since
8/5/2025
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Recent Episodes
September 9, 2025
20 Years Later
Were the past 20 years of New Orleans reforms a success? In the final episode of Where the Schools Went, Ravi sits down with one of the foremost experts on the city’s schools, Doug Harris, to take a closer look at what the data really says. He then reconnects with educators and advocates we’ve heard from throughout this series, including Chris Stewart, Alexina Medley, Dana Peterson, and John White, to reflect on New Orleans’ legacy and what lessons the rest of the country can learn from the most radical education experiment in modern American history. -- Where the Schools Went is an original podcast from The Branch in partnership with The 74 and MeidasTouch. Let us know what you think of the show! Email us at wheretheschoolswent@thebranchmedia.org or follow us on X and Instagram at @thebranchmedia.
September 2, 2025
System Reboot
After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans did something no other city had ever tried: it dismantled its entire school system. No school zones. No central offices. Even the local school board was sidelined In its place came a radical experiment in autonomy, where every school essentially ran on its own terms. But freedom had costs. Admissions were unfair. Students with disabilities often fell through the cracks. And parents were left confused about who was in charge. This episode of Where the Schools Went traces how New Orleans slowly stitched together something new: not by rebuilding the old system, but by deciding which parts were essential and trying to do those things uncommonly well. -- Where the Schools Went is an original podcast from The Branch in partnership with The 74 and MeidasTouch. Let us know what you think of the show! Email us at wheretheschoolswent@thebranchmedia.org or follow us on X and Instagram at @thebranchmedia.
August 26, 2025
The Teachers
This episode of Where the Schools Went examines one of the most explosive decisions in New Orleans’ post-Katrina story: the firing of every public school teacher in the city. The move devastated the city’s Black middle class and gutted one of the South’s most powerful teachers’ unions. What came next became a major source of contention. Some educators came back to rebuild their schools from scratch. Others never returned. Into that void stepped a group of idealistic newcomers – many young, many white, mostly from far away. Together, they transformed the city’s classrooms and ignited lasting debates over experience, identity, and what makes a great teacher. -- Where the Schools Went is an original podcast from The Branch in partnership with The 74 and MeidasTouch. Let us know what you think of the show! Email us at wheretheschoolswent@thebranchmedia.org or follow us on X and Instagram at @thebranchmedia.
6 total episodes available
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- What is Where the Schools Went?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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