Our Namesake: Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr.
Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr., was a civic leader and a pioneer in establishing educational and recreational opportunities for young people in New Orleans. Born in Morgan City in 1914, Mr. Jeff moved to New Orleans with his family as a boy. He later graduated from McDonogh 35 High School and Xavier University, earning a Master's Degree from the University of Michigan.
After working as a teacher and as a laborer through the WPA (Works Progress Administration), Mr. Jeff earned a position in the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD). In 1947, he became head of the “Colored Division” and pioneered education and recreation programs for the city’s children. Under his leadership, NORD built a reputation as one of the nation’s best recreational districts. Mr. Jeff retired from NORD in 1986 and died in 1993.
In the late 1990s, McDonogh 31 Elementary School in Bayou St. John was renamed Morris F. X. Jeff, Sr. Elementary School. Morris Jeff Community School continues Mr. Jeff’s powerful legacy.
From Vision to Reality
Morris Jeff Community School was born from a vision shared in 2008 by parents, educators, and community leaders from Mid-City and St. John. Through living-room gatherings, church hall meetings, and countless conversations, families dreamed of a school that reflected the true diversity of New Orleans, centered on children, and valued more than test scores.
That vision became a reality in October 2009, when the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved Morris Jeff’s charter. The application received national praise from the National Association of Charter School Authorizers as “one of the strongest applications they had ever reviewed.”
We opened our doors in 2010 on Poydras Street as one of the most racially and economically diverse open-access public schools in New Orleans’ history. After several temporary homes, Morris Jeff settled into its permanent campuses: the Lopez Campus, home to our Lower School (PreK–7), and the Frantz Campus, home to our Upper School (Grades 8–12).
Today, Morris Jeff serves more than a thousand students from across the city with a full PreK–12 International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum. Our curriculum emphasizes languages, the arts, and the development of the whole child. Graduates of Morris Jeff leave prepared for university, career, and service—ready to lead with curiosity, compassion, and purpose in New Orleans and around the world.
As New Orleans continues to transform, Morris Jeff stands as a beacon of equity, excellence, and community. We are proud to build a school not just for today’s students, but for generations to come.
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact
In March 2025, we celebrated 15 years of growth, learning, and community at Morris Jeff Community School. Our 15-Year Review highlights how a bold vision—rooted in equity, diversity, and academic excellence—has blossomed into one of New Orleans’ most dynamic public schools.
From our early days to our thriving campuses at Lopez (Lower School) and Frantz (Upper School), this milestone report honors the dreamers, educators, and families who continue to shape empowered learners, global citizens, and equity champions for the future.
Click here to explore Morris Jeff’s 15-Year Review.
Click here to explore Morris Jeff's 10-Year Review.