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Artwork for Where the Schools Went

Where the Schools Went

The Branch
New Orleans
Hurricane Katrina
Education Reform
Education System
Community Reconstruction
Charter Schools
Teach For America
Student Performance
Special Education
School Closures
Public Schools
Black Community
Recovery School District
Community Resilience
George Washington Carver High School
Ninth Ward
Psi Academy
Collegiate Academies
United States Education System
Carver Community

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes6Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryEducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Where the Schools Went

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

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 autonom... more

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 Sou... more

After the storm, New Orleans faced two urgent questions: Which schools would be rebuilt, and who would be trusted to run them? In the second episode of Where the Schools Went, we follow the story of George Washington Carver High School, a beloved anc... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Karen Carter
State legislator
Episode: System Reboot
Eden Heilman
Staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center
Southern Poverty Law Center
Episode: System Reboot
Ben Markowitz
Founder and former CEO of Collegiate Academies
Collegiate Academies
Episode: System Reboot
Francesca Antonucci
Opportunity Academy's school leader
Opportunities Academy
Episode: System Reboot
Michael Stone
Former CEO of New Schools for New Orleans
New Schools for New Orleans
Episode: System Reboot

Host

Ravi Gupta
Host of the series, focusing on education reform and the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans' schools.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • Where the schools went

    Excellent composition /writing and research on a subject that Mr Gupta, cares about and has years invested in…..education and students

    Such a quality broadcast… thank you for example of quality at many levels

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Borderlyn
    United Statesa month ago
  • Inspirational and Important

    This series engages in the layers of complexity involved in on-the-ground school improvement. Though set in post-Katrina New Orleans and the 20 years since, it’s applicable to those facing similar needs anywhere. It digs deeper than the political boundaries of “one size fits all” charter models or teacher unions and gives an honest overview of how success is more nuanced and has hinged upon community empowerment alongside attaining academic goals. As a former educator in New Orleans East during ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vhaberman-
    United Statesa month ago
  • Biased agenda

    Listeners should be aware of potential biases: one of the co-producers, The 74, is funded in part by the Walton Family Foundation, a major proponent of school choice and charter school expansion. While the podcast itself is presented as documentary storytelling, this funding connection is relevant context, since the Waltons have a clear policy agenda in U.S. education.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    burnt chicken nuuuuuuuget
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good but one sided

    Interviews mostly are pro-charter. Those against are generally shown as bitter and angry. Author is a former charter school principal so hard to not see the bias.

    Fundamentally why don’t we ask why instead of replacing public schools with charters, why not lower regulations and requirements for public schools so they have more freedom to innovate? Public school teachers are shackled by these. It’s cheaper to fix and enhance existing schools than start all over.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Highrain2
    United States2 months ago
  • Fair and important

    I’m a public school teacher and my default is anti charter, but I got chills during the first episode hearing about kids who wanted to, but had no school to go to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackieSimms911
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The series provides a thoughtful exploration of complex education issues post-Katrina, featuring quality storytelling and research. It has inspired former educators to continue advocating for meaningful change.
The format offers a balanced representation of community resilience and struggles amid significant educational reform, prompting deep reflections on the needs of students and families.
Some listeners express concern about potential biases related to funding and perspectives presented, suggesting a more comprehensive evaluation of educational approaches.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#42
United States/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

20 Years Later
Q: What are some common critiques of the system?
Critics worry about the impact of choice-oriented systems and ask whether the population changes have affected outcomes.
20 Years Later
Q: Are students performing better today than they were pre-Katrina?
Yes, students are performing better across various metrics, including test scores and graduation rates.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Where the Schools Went

What is Where the Schools Went about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The narrative offers an in-depth exploration of the transformative effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans' education system. By examining the journeys of schools and communities in the aftermath of the storm, it captures the drastic shift from traditional public schooling to a decentralized, charter-based system. Episodes reflect on themes such as educational reform, governance changes, and the crucial topic of equity in education, particularly for marginalized groups. This documentary series features personal stories, community resilience, and insights from various leaders, making it a unique and insightful resource for those interested in the complexities of educational reform and its far-reaching implications.

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Which podcasts are similar to Where the Schools Went?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Where the Schools Went:

1. Pod Save America
2. IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
3. Cardiac Cowboys
4. Majority 54
5. Curse of: America’s Next Top Model

How many episodes of Where the Schools Went are there?

Where the Schools Went launched 2 months ago and published 6 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Where the Schools Went?

Recent guests on Where the Schools Went include:

1. Karen Carter
2. Eden Heilman
3. Ben Markowitz
4. Francesca Antonucci
5. Michael Stone

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