Our History

In the spring of 2016, BreakFree Education—now known as Travis Hill NOLA—submitted a proposal to launch a new school within the New Orleans juvenile detention center, the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center. Just a few months later, in August 2016, we officially opened our doors. As a team, our school staff chose to name it the Travis Hill School.

One year later, BreakFree—now known as Travis Hill NOLA—applied to open a second campus, this time within the New Orleans adult jail, the Orleans Justice Center. We officially began serving students there on August 28, 2017.

As we step into the 2025–26 school year—nine years since we first opened our doors—we’re proud to continue serving students at both facilities. Our commitment to strengthening the quality of our schools and meeting the evolving needs of our students remains as strong as ever.

Our Namesake

Travis Hill, also known as "Trumpet Black" was a New Orleans jazz musician from a long linage of renown musicians. He spent time at the youth detention center and in prison early in his life, but upon release, returned to his roots and used his music and talent to mentor teens and support nonviolence in the city. He popularized the phrase “Trumpets Not Guns” through a song released in 2015. Travis Hill died tragically at the age of 28. His mother and relatives continue to carry on his legacy by actively staying involved in the schools that bear his name.

Our Core Design Elements

The Travis Hill Schools are student-centered, with an intensive focus on making school relevant and meaningful, on creating a culture of high achievement, and developing a school climate based on mutual respect and understanding.  We work closely with the custodial care staff at both the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center and the Orleans Justice Center, engage with the families of our students and invite them to be active participants in the life of the school, and partner with members of the greater New Orleans community--building relationships that will support students when they return home.