The West End Instructional Center is getting a new name and a new location.

The center will be relocating from its current location on West Jefferson Street to the former James Ward Elementary School on Shankland Avenue in Jennings. The school was closed in 2022 when a new Jennings Elementary School opened.

When the center opens its doors at the new location this fall, it will be known as the James Ward Center for Excellence (JWCE), according to Administrator Lori Lemons.

“Our students and faculty felt like James Ward was such a big part of this community and he wanted to see kids grow, so it was only natural to honor him and continue with his name,” Lemons said. “Everything we do at this school is what he believed in in education.”

The new location will allow the center room to expand its programs to give students better opportunities than just traditional classroom settings, she said.

“As we move here, out biggest thing is that we wanted to rebrand the school because it has more opportunities for kids than people know,” she said. “We wanted them to know that this is a place for kids to come, regroup, self-regulatory and get back into their schools where they can be leaders.”

While the center offers year-around programs, the average stay for most students in 20-45 days, she said.

“Our vision is to provide young people with a complete and equal educational opportunity, as we guide them to achieve greater than they thought possible, to inspire them to grow academically and socially, to value themselves as well as their peers and to make decisions that positively impact their futures and their communities, Lemons said.

The center offers special programs and opportunities for students in grades kindergarten-12 to learn, stay on track academically while learning behavioral, social and emotional skills to equip them to be successful when they return to their home campus.

“We offer opportunities for kids, who may need a little more guidance, to come and kind of be more self-aware about themselves and figure out who they are so they can be successful in the world,” Lemons said.

The center currently offers emergency medical responder and technical certification and a four-stroke program for students interested in learning to repair mowers, ATVS, motorcycles and cars. A mentor plus program is also offered to at-risk students, as well as an empowerment program for female students.

Future plans are to add more career path opportunities, including a cosmetology program.

“Sometimes we lose kids when they are in high school because they are not made for the traditional setting,” she said. “If we can offer that kid to come here and tap into their interest and keep them in school, with a degree and a credential that will put them straight in the workforce, that is what I am most excited about.”

Renovations to the old school began last month with crews working to repair and repaint classrooms and hallways.

Work will begin soon on waxing floors, ordering logo mats, power washing and painting the outside and sprucing up the landscape. Several portable buildings will also be removed from the campus before it opens this fall.