Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts
Address
715 University Parkway Natchitoches , Louisiana 71457 United States
Coordinates	31°45′09″N93°05′45″W / 31.7526°N 93.0959°W / 31.7526; -93.0959
Information
Type	Public, Selective Magnet, Residential
Motto	Praecellemus [1] (We shall excel)
Opened	1983
Founder	Jimmy D. Long, Donald G. Kelly, Robert A. Alost, Dave Treen [ citation needed ]
Oversight	Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; LSMSA Board of Directors
Authorizer	State of Louisiana, Division of Administration
Executive Director	Steve Horton
Staff	115
Faculty	57
Grades	10-12
Gender	Coed
Average class size	15 (maximum mandated by state statute)
Student to teacher ratio	17:1
Color(s)	Blue and gold
Slogan	Above. Beyond.
Mascot	Ace the Eagle
Nickname	Louisiana School
Team name	Eagles
Accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Newspaper	The Renaissance
Yearbook	The Rubicon
School fees	About $1500 in boarding and facility fees (2013) [2]
Affiliations	NCSSSMST, Blue Ribbon Schools Program
Literary Publication	Folio
Website	www.lsmsa.edu

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is a public residential high school located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, US on the campus of Northwestern State University (NSU). ^[3] It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST). ^[4] In 2016, Niche ranked LSMSA the 9th best public high school nationwide. ^[5]

Background

LSMSA is the brainchild of State Representative Jimmy D. Long of Natchitoches, Robert A. Alost, then Dean of the College of Education at Northwestern State University; Democratic State Senator Donald G. Kelly of Natchitoches; and Governor David C. Treen, which is where the Treen auditorium gets its name. The school was conceived to offer a unique experience to the state's brightest students while supplying Natchitoches with an influx of commerce and attention. On the heels of a fleeting surplus of state funds from oil revenues following America's oil crises of the late seventies, Gov. Treen approved the funding for the school. Classes were originally held on the ground floor of Prudhomme Hall, an unused dormitory on the campus of NSU while female students lived in the upper floor and male students originally lived in Bossier Hall, another dorm. Renovation of the "High School Building," (known by no other formal title, but formerly the campus of Natchitoches High School) was completed in 1984, and the ceremonial ribbon was cut by then Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards.

The Louisiana School was the second state-supported residential school of its kind — the first being the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, which opened in 1980. The school was founded in the early 1980s with the first class enrolling as juniors in the fall of 1983, graduating in 1985.

Academically, the school is similar to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM). Studies focus on mathematics, science, and the humanities. Like NCSSM math and science high schools, it has an arts program, with instruction in music, theater, visual art, and dance. Daily class schedules are conducted similar to college schedules (instead of the traditional class periods in most other high schools). Much of the classes are also taught with college textbooks.

Among the various ensembles in both voice and instrumental, student musicians get the opportunity to perform music special to Louisiana through the Louisiana Composers' Consortium founded by LSMSA's own Dr. Al Benner.

The school's College Admission Profile summarizes the school: "Graduating its first class in 1985, the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is a state-supported, residential program, enrolling high achieving and talented students throughout Louisiana in grades ten through twelve. Most students begin as sophomores or juniors and are selected from a pool of applicants representing at least 65% of the state's public school districts, as well as private schools. The student body, therefore, represents the ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of Louisiana residents. LSMSA is considered as a "Special School" by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education." ^[6]

In 2017, state Senator Francis C. Thompson of Delhi introduced legislation to name the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in honor of Jimmy D. Long, who as the chairman for sixteen years of the House Education Committee, was among those instrumental in the establishment of the institution. After strong support in the state Senate, the renaming legislation passed the House Education Committee despite heated opposition from alumni who object in part to the school having such a lengthy name. ^[7]

Admissions

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts sign

As LSMSA recruits students from all of Louisiana, it can be described as a statewide magnet school. Prospective students apply during the fall of their freshman, sophomore or junior year. Applicants submit application forms, grade transcripts, SAT or ACT results, and four letters of recommendation with one optional recommendation form. Applicants to the arts curriculum also submit a portfolio of artwork or audition. As of the 2007–2008 school year, LSMSA added its first sophomore class, which composed of 40 students. 65 students have been invited to be in the 2008–2009 Sophomore class.

Residential life

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is located on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Students who attend LSMSA live in dorms, away from their families, much like college students. For most of the school's history, students lived in Caddo Hall (girls) or Prudhomme Hall (boys), both long-term loans from Northwestern State University. On March 13, 2019, LSMSA hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a residence hall of their own. The four-story, 110,000 sf Living Learning Commons was designed by the joint-venture architectural team of Ashe Broussard Weinzettle and Tipton Associates. In August 2021, students returned to campus for the school year and became the first classes to occupy the Living Learning Commons. The $25 million facility, funded by the State of Louisiana, houses 360 students across 3 towers and 10 independent "neighborhoods." Amenities include a student lounge, covered porch, craft room, study rooms, a grand lobby, a health clinic, a demonstration kitchen and dining area, and an outdoor firepit. The Hall Commons in each neighborhood is suited for sharing a meal or hanging out, while the glassed-in study lounges maintain quiet for focus. Each neighborhood also features laundry facilities, with costs included in the student fee, as well as an office and apartment for the Student Life Advisor. ^{[8] [9]}

Rules regarding residential life are fairly stringent. Students have free time during weekdays during which they can sign out to various areas within the city of Natchitoches. ^[10] The Louisiana School provides a shuttle for transportation because students can only use their cars to drive home on weekends, unless they have high grades and a good disciplinary record, in which case they may use their cars for a specified time period. ^[11] As LSMSA is located on a university campus, much of the residential life of LSMSA students resembles that of their university counterparts. Whereas a university has relatively little liability to bear when dealing with 18+ year old adults, LSMSA must contend with a student body mainly of minors. The school tries to enforce rigorous discipline under terms of "in loco parentis," meaning in the place of a parent.

Academic integrity

Students must agree to the following honor code pledge:

As a student of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, I understand that I belong to an institution dedicated to the pursuit of learning. Thus, I promise to uphold the Honor Code that safeguards this pursuit. I accept my personal duty to promote an honorable attitude in my academic life by refraining from lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarizing, or vandalizing.

^{[ citation needed ]}

Notable alumni

• Hong Chau, actress ^[12]
• Rod Dreher (1985) - The Dallas Morning News editorial writer, columnist, frequent contributor to National Review , The New York Post
• Carla Speed McNeil (1986) - Comics writer and artist, most notably of Finder
• Trent Dawson (1989) - actor, played Henry Coleman on As the World Turns. ^[13]
• Joel Michael Guy Jr. (2006) - Convicted murderer, chemist. ^[14]
• Michael Hochberg (1998) - award-winning professor of nanophotonics at the University of Washington ^[15]
• Angie Drobnic Holan (1990) - editor for PolitiFact ^[16] and was part of the Pulitzer Prize winning team of journalists noted for their fact-checking of the 2008 presidential elections in the United States. ^[17]
• Mark Johnson (2002) - North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Josh Tickell (1993) - Biodiesel pioneer and director of FUEL, which won the 2008 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary. ^[18]
• Slater Rhea (2005) - Singer and TV personality in China. ^{[19] [20]}
• Jeffery Roberson, aka Varla Jean Merman (1987) - American actor, singer, and drag performer.
• Carol S. Woodward - mathematician ^[21]

Notable faculty

• William Rodney Allen - noted expert on Walker Percy and Kurt Vonnegut

See also

• Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
• Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
• Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky
• Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics
• Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
• Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
• Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science
• Maine School of Science and Mathematics
• Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
• North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
• Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
• South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
• Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science

References

1. Latin: cite web
2. "Fee Information and Overview" (PDF). lsmsa.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-16.
3. Dr. Bill Ebarb (16 December 2015). The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts: The First 30 Years. AuthorHouse. ISBN   978-1-5049-6135-6.
4. "Institutional Members - Specialized Secondary Schools". NCSSSMST.org. Archived from the original on 2014-09-05.
5. "LSMSA ranks in Top 10 of public high schools in the country, first in state".
6. "2013–2014 College Admission Profile" (PDF). 1 April 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2015.
7. "Politicians try to rename Louisiana school for politician; alumni push back". New Orleans Times-Picayune . June 2, 2017. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
8. "LSMSA Residence Hall Highlights and Updates".
9. "New Residence Hall, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts".
10. "LSMSA Student Handbook, Section 10: Student Services Program, pp 136-137" (PDF).
11. "LSMSA Student Handbook, Section 9: Privilege System" (PDF).
12. Walker, Dave (November 18, 2012). "Actress Hong Chau brings New Orleans background to role as 'Treme's' Linh". The Times-Picayune . Archived from the original on 2012-11-18. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
13. Grush, Ryan (29 December 2008). "Soap opera stars tour BR for recovery fund-raiser: Actors sell bracelets, arrange dinner". The Daily lsureveille. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2011. "It has been a while since I have been back," said Trent Dawson, who plays Henry Coleman on "As the World Turns." "It is a changed city."... Dawson, a graduate of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, and five other cast members preceded their Red Cross fund-raiser at the mall with a visit to shelter at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
14. Gyan Jr., Joe (16 December 2016). "Baton Rouge man accused of dismembering parents in Tennessee gets new hearing date following transport glitch". The Advocate. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
15. Coles, Mark. "Students Assist in Environmental Measurements at Livingston". web newsletter. LIGO Livingston Observatory. Retrieved 28 July 2011. The two students who assisted with these measurements, Tomyka and Millicent, both attend the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) located in Natchitoches ... Two Caltech undergraduate students who have worked on LIGO during previous summers, Yale Wang and Michael Hochberg, are also graduates of LSMSA.
16. "Angie Drobnic Holan - PolitiFact Editor".
17. "Former Alibi staffer wins a Pulitzer". 30 April 2009.
18. "Sundance/Grammy/Pulitzer - LSMSA". Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. 5 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 28 July 2011. In the past few months, the talent, dedication, and work of three graduates from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts gained national and international recognition. "Fuel", a documentary film by 1993 graduate, Josh Tickell, won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
19. "Slater Rhea to perform Tuesday, give Q&A session and perform at LSMSA Wednesday | Natchitoches Times". www.natchitochestimes.com. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
20. "Slater Rhea to perform, visit campus Feb. 27-28". Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
21. Carol S Woodward. Center for Applied Scientific Computing. Retrieved 2021-09-29.

External links

• LSMSA website