Welcome to the City of Byrd!
C.E. Byrd, affectionately known as The City of Byrd, is a unique school which excels in motivating students who not only achieve academic excellence but also develop a sense of fair play and competition in athletics and who acquire social skills and leadership through participation in a wide variety of extracurricular activities.
Principal Jana Panos
Dear New Yellow Jackets,
Welcome to "The City of Byrd!" As the Principal of C.E. Byrd High School, it is an honor to welcome you to our historic campus as you begin this exciting new chapter of your academic journey.
As a proud alumna from the Class of 2007, my connection to Byrd runs deep. I remember the exact feeling of standing where you are today — full of big dreams, school spirit, and endless possibilities. Byrd was a place that pushed me to excel, and I am honored to step into this role to make sure it does the exact same for you.
For over a century, Yellow Jackets have made their mark on our city, our country, and the world. Through changing times, Byrd has remained a place that celebrates diversity, individuality, and talent. Whether you are an artist, a mathematician, an athlete, a gamer, a future chef, or a future astronaut, our school thrives because of the unique strengths each of you brings.
Our commitment to academic excellence remains stronger than ever. Our goal is to prepare every single student for success in college, career, and beyond. Whether you are growing lettuce in our hydroponic lab, publishing poetry in Perspectives, working in our cutting-edge science labs, or exploring new passions in our wide array of clubs, Byrd offers endless ways for you to learn and grow.
Beyond the classroom, I want your high school experience to be unforgettable! Get ready to embrace all the beloved traditions that make being a Yellow Jacket so special – Friday nights in the Hive, Homecoming parades, Junior Ring Ceremony, Prom, and so much more.
I am so excited for the year ahead and cannot wait to watch you succeed. Welcome home, Jackets!
Sincerely,
Jana Panos
Principal
C.E. Byrd High School
High Academic Standards
The Class of 2026 continues C.E. Byrd’s tradition of academic excellence, achievement, and college readiness.
Academic & Scholarship Success
262 students met the testing criteria for at least one level of TOPS, representing an estimated $6,232,608 in TOPS awards over four years.
19 students earned the highest level TOPS Excellence Award.
The Class of 2026 was offered an additional $13,515,972 in scholarships.
24 students earned all A’s throughout high school.
College Credit & Advanced Coursework
Students earned 3,925 college credit hours through Dual Enrollment, CLEP, and Advanced Placement courses—an estimated value of $2,150,900.
167 students earned college credit while attending Byrd.
58 students earned enough college credit to potentially enter college with sophomore standing.
Advanced Placement Honors
79 AP Scholars
25 AP Scholars
25 AP Scholars with Honor
29 AP Scholars with Distinction
24 AP Capstone Diplomas
13 AP Seminar and Research Certificates
Career & Industry Credentials
52 Advanced Industry-Based Certifications earned.
Writing & Academic Honors
3 winners of the Colonial Dames Essay Contest
4 winners of the National Council of Teachers of English Writing Award
Mission Statement
The mission of C.E. Byrd High School is to establish among its diverse student population a strong foundation for lifelong learning by nurturing, guiding, and challenging its students to achieve their maximum potential. The faculty, staff, students, parents, and community will work together to ensure that our students have opportunities for positive life experiences. This support will enable them to become independent, productive citizens in their communities.
Grading Scale & Rank
All students are ranked with a weighted grading scale at the end of each semester. All courses and grades except those for pass/fail credit are considered in the class rank. Accelerated courses have a designation in the “H” or honors column on the student’s transcript for college prep, honors, advanced placement, dual enrollment, gifted, and talented. These courses are awarded quality points on a weighted scale when determining rank. Transcripts are available with a cumulative GPA on either an un-weighted 4.0 scale or a weighted scale.
Curriculum & Schedule
Programs of study are organized on two levels: General and Enriched/Enriched with honors designation. General-level courses are designed for students with planning to enter the workforce upon graduation. Enriched-level courses are college preparatory. Student placement is based on ability and aptitude. The school day consists of four 1-hour and 40-minute periods. Each class meets five days a week for one semester.
School Profile
Established in 1924, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, C. E. Byrd High School is an inner-city, public high school composed of over 1700 students in grades 9-12. As a National Blue Ribbon School with approximately 120 classroom teachers, 6 administrators, 5 counselors, and 1 School Resource Officer, Byrd serves a diverse student body. C. E. Byrd has a special Math/Science Magnet Program which offers students an innovative curriculum of advanced math and science courses, balanced by a strong core curriculum and a wide range of liberal arts and elective courses.
Admission into the Math/Science Magnet requires a 2.76 GPA and 50th percentile or better math and reading achievement test scores. Magnet students follow a college preparatory curriculum and are required to take a math course and a science course every year. They must also maintain a 2.76 or higher cumulative GPA to remain in the program. Magnet students can graduate with as many as six units in math and seven units in science. Approximately sixty percent of the student body is composed of Math/Science Magnet students.
Our student body is culturally diverse with a population consisting of 46% White, 46% African American, 4% Hispanic, and 2% Asian and Native American/Alaskan Native and 2% Multi-Ethnic. C. E. Byrd is accredited by the Louisiana Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.