Education

Education Summary

The Natchitoches Parish School System includes 5 preschool, 13 elementary (K-8) and 3 high schools (9-12).  There are approximately 6,840 students and 464 teachers involved in the public school system.  The school system also has a special education program that involves 311 students and 100 teachers.  This yields a teacher-pupil ratio of 1 to 13.  In addition, the Laboratory Schools at Northwestern State University operate within the parish school system for experimenting with new teaching methods and developing innovative educational programs.  The schools have a comprehensive program to encourage the gifted student and special classrooms and teachers assist students who have learning problems.  Juniors and seniors may attend classes for credit at Bossier Parish Community College, the Louisiana Technical College or Northwestern State University.  High school students participate in a full range of extracurricular activities including football and other sports.  Website for Natchitoches Parish School Board: https://www.npsb.la, BPCC:  www.bpcc.edu

Northwest Louisiana Technical College: www.nwltc.edu/Natchitoches and Northwestern State University:  www.nsula.edu

The Louisiana School of Math, Science and the Arts provide high quality education for the state’s most gifted high school students.  Current enrollment for LSMSA is approximately 400 juniors and seniors. Newsweek magazine named LSMSA to its “Public Elite” list of high schools last year, a list of 21 schools too good to be included in the Top 100 in USA.  Website for Louisiana School of Math, Science and the Arts:   www.lsmsa.edu

Church affiliated schools in Natchitoches Parish, which provide an alternative for students not attending public schools.  St. Mary’s  Catholic School offer the standard curriculum approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education, Faith Christian Academy offers the Abeka curriculum as well as training in religion.  Website:  www.smstigers.com

The Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary schools and the Louisiana Independent School Association accredit all public and private schools.  Currently, the percentage of graduating seniors attending college is approximately 60.5% for the public schools.

Vocational Education

Vocational training is available at the Louisiana Technical College – Natchitoches Campus, a state-funded facility, and in the vocational program of parish schools.  Vocational training includes welding, mechanics, small engine repair, business, LPN nursing, machine shop, drafting and instrumentation.  Special education courses are also organized to meet specific interests and needs.

The Louisiana Technical College also offers a short-term education program, entitled Quick Start, to meet the growing demands of business and industry.  This program is set up to train students in as little as 3 weeks.  http://www.nwltc.edu/Natchitoches

Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University was established in 1884 as a normal school for the training of teachers.  After several changes in name and purpose, it officially became a university in 1970.   The University offers both graduate and undergraduate programs of study along with general opportunities for research and individual study in a variety of fields.  Doctor of Education and Specialist in Education degrees are offered in elementary education, health and physical education and secondary education.  The University operates a two-year pre-nursing program to prepare students for its nursing school at NSU-Shreveport.  A comprehensive athletic program provides opportunities for participation in intercollegiate and intramural teams for football, basketball, baseball and other sports.  The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and various specialized accrediting groups for the different academic departments accredits the University.  Enrollment for Northwestern State University and the Louisiana Scholars College is approximately 10,000 students.

In addition to the commitment to academic excellence, Northwestern State University has several important community outreach programs including the Office of Cooperative Education and Small Business Development Center. As well as courses and workshops on how to get out of debt, pre-licensing real estate education, Cajun dancing, water aerobics and others.  (318) 357-5682 or (800) 376-2422.    www.nsula.edu

Public Libraries

Natchitoches Parish enjoys an excellent parish-supported public library system.  The library is located on Second Street in downtown Natchitoches, with a head librarian and a staff of eight.  Volumes in the library total in excess of 54,000 with approximately 400 new additions per month.  The facility offers reading and other reference materials, such as periodicals, film and audio materials for all ages. www.youseemore.com/natchitoches

The large collection of materials at Watson Library on Northwestern State University’s campus is available to parish residents.   Visitors will find the Cammie G. Henry Research Room, located in Watson Library, to be of interest.  These archives contain many old books and papers pertaining to the history of the city, parish and university. 

The Williamson Museum, located in the Arts and Science Building, contains collections of archaeological importance to the area.  Their telephone number is 318/357-6195

The Natchitoches Genealogical & Historical Association operates a research library, located on the second floor in the Old Courthouse building, on the corner of Church Street and Second Street.  The library is open Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Website:  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lanatchi

Louisiana Scholar’s College
Louisiana’s designated honors college in the liberal arts and sciences.

Louisiana Technical College – Natchitoches Campus
The Mission of the LTC– Natchitoches Campus is workforce development. This college system provides relevant technical and academic education needed to assist individuals in making informed and meaningful occupational choices. It is our mission to train, retrain, cross train, and continually upgrade the state’s workforce so that individuals are employable at both entry and advanced levels.

LSMSA
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

The Space Science Group
The Space Science Group offers programs that use space topics to motivate students in the areas of mathematics, science, and engineering. These programs teach basic scientific processes using effective, research-based methods, and show the relevance of these areas to real life.

St. Mary’s School
1101 East 5th Street
Natchitoches, LA. 71457
(318) 352-8394

Natchitoches Parish School Board
310 Royal Street: P.O. Box 16
Natchitoches, Louisiana 71458-0016
Telephone: (318)352-2358
FAX: (318)352-8138

Cloutierville Elementary & Middle
School Street, Box 100
Cloutierville, LA 71416
Grades PK-8
Telephone: (318)379-2577

East Natchitoches Elementary
1001 East 5th Street
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Grades K-8
Telephone: (318)352-4516

Fairview Alpha Elementary
1439 Highway 71
Campti, LA 71411
Grades PK-8
Telephone: (318)932-4616

Goldonna Elementary & Middle
248 Ash Street
Goldonna, LA 71031
Grades K-6
Telephone: (318)727-9449

L P Vaughn Elementary & Middle
1500 Gold Street
Natchitoches, LA
Grades PK-8
Telephone: (318)352-2369

NSU Elementary Lab
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Grades K-5
Telephone: (318)357-6973

NSU Middle Lab
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Grades 6-8
Telephone: (318)357-4509

Parks Elementary
800 Koonce Street
Natchitoches, LA
Grades PK-8
Telephone: (318)352-2764

Lakeview Middle & High
7305 Highway 9
Campti, LA 71411
Grades 7-12
Telephone: (318)476-3360

Marthaville Elementary
10800 Highway 120
Marthaville, LA 71450
Grades PK-8
Telephone: (318)472-6141

Natchitoches Central High
6543 Highway 1 South, Bypass
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Grades 9-12
Telephone: (318)352-2211

Frankie Ray Jackson Sr. Technical Center
1621 Welch Street
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Grades 4-12
Telephone: (318)357-9410

Provencal Elementary
132 Cherry Street
Provencal, LA 71468
Grades PK-8
Telephone: (318)472-6174

Weaver Elementary
520 St. Maurice Lane
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Grades PK-3
Telephone: (318)352-3623

Preschool Center
415 Martin Luther King Jr.
Natchitoches, LA
Telephone: (318)352-6464

Adult Education Center
1016 Keyser Avenue, Box 2173
Natchitoches, LA
Telephone: (318)352-3348

Louisiana Technical College – Natchitoches Campus
6587 Highway 1 Bypass
Natchitoches, LA
Telephone: (318) 357-3162