Istrouma High: A Time Capsule But Not for Long

Since Istrouma High School was closed by the State of Louisiana nearly two years ago, it has sat idle, sealed up, waiting for better times.

What was once the largest high school in the state with a student body of 1,900 — and also one of the finest — has fallen on hard times. In its glory days of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, Istrouma won nine State High School Football Championships and was sometimes called Istrouma University. The school fell victim to forced busing that led to a community uprooting itself and moving away.

Neglected by the “powers that be,” it became another dying inner city school. Finally, with declining test scores, it was taken over by the State of Louisiana, but the State fared no better and closed the school.

Now an innovative new school superintendant is determined to bring Istrouma back to life, just in time for the school’s 100th anniversary in 2017. Last week, a group of alumni got to tour this remarkable time capsule and discover some of its secrets that may be never seen again.