Haynes Academy became the first school in Jefferson Parish Schools to host a VEX Robotics Competition. The Metairie school hosted the VEX Robotics Competition: Tipping Point 2021 on November 13. Sixteen teams competed in this statewide tournament.

The VEX Robotics Competition is presented by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, and is the largest international middle and highschool robotics program in existence. The competition is comprised of more than 20,000 teams from 50 different countries that compete in over 1,700 tournaments worldwide.

“It is exciting that one of our schools was selected to host this large-scale, competitive event. I hope that this is the first of many VEX robotic events that JP Schools has the opportunity to host,” said Superintendent Dr. James Gray.

The robotics program at Haynes Academy offers a segue for students to valuable technology - based programs. Robotics familiarizes students with transferable 21st century workforce skills such as programming, working with sensors, and using automation. The opportunity to engage in robotics is one that will lend well to students’ academic and professional development.

JP Schools is growing into a state leader in regards to workforce development. In the last two years, the district has more than doubled both the statewide basic and advanced industry based certifications. The robotics program at Haynes Academy is one of the many schools in JP Schools that aligns student pathways to LSU STEM pathways which allows students to earn both college credit and industry based certifications while still enrolled in high school.