Helix Community Schools recently began constructing its newest educational facility, Helix Artificial Intelligence & Medical Academy (Helix AIM), a new public charter school at 220 Town Blvd. in Opelousas, next door to Our Savior’s Church off I-49.
Being built on 17 acres, the 42,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will serve as a beacon of innovation for St. Landry Parish, offering an immersive STEM-based education with a unique focus on artificial intelligence and healthcare.
“We are beyond thrilled to celebrate the start of construction of our new school,” said Preston Castille, president and CEO of Helix Community Schools. “We know it will be a game changer for families in St. Landry Parish.”
Helix AI and Medical will initially serve students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with plans to expand to sixth through eighth grades in 2026. The school’s cutting-edge curriculum will feature project-based learning and leadership development, preparing students for the future demands of the workforce.
The innovative design of the campus reflects a collaborative vision, developed with input from leadership and community stakeholders. Helix AIM is built around a 21st Century Learning Environment that prioritizes both academic excellence and community building.
“This is a significant milestone in St. Landry Parish’s history as the new school represents forward thinking and innovation,” said St. Landry Parish Schools Superintendent Milton Batiste III. “We believe it will not only equip our students for the jobs of the future, but it will also have a major impact on our community as a whole.”
Helix AIM will offer specialized tracks in artificial intelligence and healthcare. The AI curriculum will introduce students to machine learning, robotics, and the “5 Big Ideas of Artificial Intelligence,” which include:
1. Machine Perception
2. Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
3. Machine Learning
4. Human-AI Interaction
5. Societal Impact
The healthcare curriculum will provide foundational knowledge in cell biology, anatomy, and microbiology, exposing students to concepts in clinical medicine and potential career paths in internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, and anesthesiology.
Jennifer Gordon, executive director for growth and opportunities and founding principal for Helix AI and Medical, highlighted the school’s forward-focused mission. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone as we begin this new chapter to help prepare our students for the future,” she said.
As the fourth addition to the Helix Community Schools network, Helix AIM is poised to shape the next generation of leaders in St. Landry Parish and Acadiana, fostering innovation and excellence within the community.
The new Helix AI & Medical Academy is set to open for the new 2025 school year in August.
For more information about Helix AI and Medical, visit helixaim.org. Also, for more about the parent company, visit https://helixcommunityschools.org.
