NOLA Public Schools Announces Closure of Uptown Schools Due to Major Water Main Break and Boil Water Advisory
(New Orleans – February 23, 2026) — The health and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. It's the reason NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) is announcing that several schools in the Uptown area are closed today, Monday, February 23, 2026, due to a significant water main break and resulting loss of water pressure across much of the neighborhood.
A 30-inch water main break near South Claiborne Avenue and Toledano Street (with impacts at the intersection of Louisiana Avenue) has caused flooding and prompted the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) to issue a precautionary boil water advisory for a large portion of Uptown. This includes areas roughly bounded by the I-10 corridor to the Mississippi River along Carrollton Avenue.
The break has led to severely reduced or no water pressure at affected school sites, making it unsafe to operate facilities, including restrooms and other essential systems. As a result, the following schools have confirmed closures for the day:
- Audubon Uptown
- Benjamin Franklin Elementary/Middle Mathematics & Science School
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Eleanor McMain Secondary School
- KIPP Central City Primary and Academy
- Mahalia Jackson Elementary School
- ReNEW Early Childhood Program
- RenEW Laurel elementary
- Sophie B. Wright Charter School
- The Leah Chase School
- The Willow School (all campuses)
- Walter L. Cohen High School
Families are advised to check directly with their child's school for any further updates.
SWBNO crews are onsite and working to isolate and repair the break. Water has been shut off to stop the flooding, and officials hope to restore service later today, though the boil water advisory is expected to remain in effect for some time pending water quality testing. South Claiborne Avenue (citybound/eastbound) from General Taylor Street to Louisiana Avenue remains closed due to the incident.
We appreciate the understanding of families during this emergency infrastructure issue and will provide updates as repairs progress and conditions improve.
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About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish. It includes the district's administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 66 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Fateama S. Fulmore.
For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.
