Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA)

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) A public residential high school serving students from throughout Louisiana. Now accepting applications for Fall '27!
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Established by the Louisiana legislature in 1982, LSMSA has become a viable option for high school students who wish to surpass the limitations of their home schools. A public high school, LSMSA has no tuition and only a nominal room and board fee, with assistance available from the LSMSA Foundation for qualifying families. Students are encouraged to apply during their freshman or sophomore year,

but some consideration is given to students who apply only to attend for their senior year. LSMSA belongs to an expanding nationwide group of state-supported, residential high schools founded to serve the academic, artistic, and creative needs of many of the states' best students.

Taking college counseling to the next level!Over the summer, LSMSA Director of College Counseling Center Katie Summerell...
09/02/2026

Taking college counseling to the next level!

Over the summer, LSMSA Director of College Counseling Center Katie Summerell, MA, LPC, NCC, was invited to participate in the 2026 NorCal STARS Counselor Program, traveling to California to tour Stanford University and UC Berkeley and connect with counselors, admissions representatives and administrators from across the country.

During the program, Katie learned more about what Stanford, UC Berkeley, Caltech and USC look for in applicants and gained insight into how counselors can help students stand out in the college application process.

“LSMSA students are the exact type of student these schools are looking for,” Katie said. “Now I have even more tools under my belt to help them level up their applications.”

New students will be experiencing their first milestone as Eagles at our upcoming Matriculation Ceremony this Friday, Se...
09/02/2026

New students will be experiencing their first milestone as Eagles at our upcoming Matriculation Ceremony this Friday, September 4, at 2 p.m. 🦅

During the ceremony, faculty, alumni, and peers will formally welcome matriculates into the LSMSA community.

The event will be livestreamed here:
livestream.lsmsa.edu

New Faculty Spotlight: Trever HollandLSMSA is proud to welcome Trever Holland as an Instructor of English, returning to ...
09/01/2026

New Faculty Spotlight: Trever Holland

LSMSA is proud to welcome Trever Holland as an Instructor of English, returning to Natchitoches and to a community that has long felt like home.

Holland’s ties to Natchitoches run deep. He graduated from Northwestern State University’s Scholars’ College in 2009 and completed his master’s degree at NSU in 2011 before earning a Ph.D. in English Literature from Oklahoma State University.

During his time at Oklahoma State, Holland taught as a Visiting Assistant Professor before moving to Mohave Community College in Arizona, where he served as Lead Faculty in the English and Communication Department.

His research interests include Native American literature and folklore, global Indigenous and postcolonial literatures, ecocriticism, and related cultural and environmental issues. He has presented his work at numerous academic conferences, including NAISA, MELUS, RMMLA, SCMLA, and SLSA. His scholarship has also appeared in journals including Studies in American Indian Literatures and Mississippi Quarterly.

Holland is excited to bring his passion for literature and interdisciplinary studies to LSMSA and work with talented and motivated students.

Outside of teaching, Holland enjoys hiking and is an amateur pianist. He also looks forward to reconnecting with the city of Natchitoches, which has played an important role in his life.

LSMSA is a tuition-free, public high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Financial assistance is available to ensure that no eligible student is denied access to its legacy of a college-level living/learning experience.

Learn more at www.LSMSA.edu.

LSMSA's Department of Creative and Performing Arts is bringing a season full of talent to campus this fall, so mark your...
08/31/2026

LSMSA's Department of Creative and Performing Arts is bringing a season full of talent to campus this fall, so mark your calendars! 🎨🩰🎭

Theatre events have a $10 admission charge, but are free for LSMSA and NSU students and staff. All events are open to the public.

The school year is officially underway, and BSU kicked it off in true ’90s style! 📼✨The BSU YARD PARTY: Kickin’ It Back ...
08/31/2026

The school year is officially underway, and BSU kicked it off in true ’90s style! 📼✨

The BSU YARD PARTY: Kickin’ It Back to School — 90s Edition brought Eagles together to celebrate the start of a new year with throwback vibes, music, fun and plenty of school spirit.

From the ’90s-inspired atmosphere to the energy on the yard, it was the perfect way to welcome everyone back to the Nest and kick off another year at LSMSA!

The LSMSA Sharon Turcan Gahagan Art Gallery presents: "Deeper Understanding," an exhibition of painting, collage and mix...
08/30/2026

The LSMSA Sharon Turcan Gahagan Art Gallery presents: "Deeper Understanding," an exhibition of painting, collage and mixed media sculpture by Louisiana artist Donna McGee, professor and head of the Department of Visual Art at Grambling State University.

"The foundation of my work is rooted in my love of the outdoors and my view that humans are an integral part of nature," McGee said. "Like many philosophers, poets, writers and artists, I search for meaning in life and understanding of myself through my interactions with the natural world.”

McGee’s choice of materials in the presented works were chosen for symbolic meaning, especially regarding the use of plastics that would otherwise have made their way into the environment. “Through my art, I hope to help people to develop a deeper understanding of how our actions impact the world that nurtures and enriches all life,” said McGee.

The exhibition runs September 1 through October 1, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Admission is free and open to the public.

A closing reception with the artist will be held October 1 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The gallery is located inside the Center for Performance and Technology on LSMSA's campus in Natchitoches.

New Staff Spotlight: Josh FinchLSMSA is proud to welcome Josh Finch as Deputy Executive Director, bringing more than a d...
08/28/2026

New Staff Spotlight: Josh Finch

LSMSA is proud to welcome Josh Finch as Deputy Executive Director, bringing more than a decade of experience in higher education, student affairs, campus life, and organizational leadership.

Finch most recently served as Director for Campus Life at Louisiana State University, where he led programs focused on student engagement, leadership development, campus traditions, and student support.

Originally from Michigan, Finch holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from LSU, and an MBA from the University of South Carolina. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial Engineering at LSU, where his research interests include quality management, process improvement, and using data and systems thinking to improve educational organizations.

Finch is excited to join LSMSA because of its unique mission and commitment to giving exceptionally talented students the opportunity to learn, explore, and grow in a community built around their interests and ambitions. He is especially looking forward to working alongside LSMSA’s faculty, staff, students, and families to support the school’s continued growth and ensure students have an exceptional experience both inside and outside the classroom.

Outside of work, Finch enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering in the community, and staying active. A fun fact about Josh: He is a lifelong actor and has performed in 35 plays and musicals!

LSMSA is a tuition-free, public high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Financial assistance is available to ensure that no eligible student is denied access to its legacy of a college-level living/learning experience.

Learn more at www.LSMSA.edu.

Congratulations to Cara Stanfield, LSMSA’s 2026 Outstanding School Support Employee Award recipient!As Coordinator of Ac...
08/27/2026

Congratulations to Cara Stanfield, LSMSA’s 2026 Outstanding School Support Employee Award recipient!

As Coordinator of Academic Support and 504 Services, Cara works behind the scenes and one-on-one with students to make sure they have the support, resources and accommodations they need to succeed.

Since joining LSMSA in 2024, Cara has coordinated six New Student Orientation sessions, developed a new EXCEL curriculum, strengthened academic support systems and helped create welcoming spaces for students and staff. She also supports school events, transportation needs, activities and off-campus wellness opportunities — always with enthusiasm, professionalism and genuine care.

But for students, Cara is more than the person helping coordinate services. She’s a listening ear, a helping hand and, as senior Kat Spizale ('26) described her, a “school mom.”

READ MORE: bit.ly/4hTQo8E

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is a tuition-free, public residential high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Now in its 42nd year, LSMSA provides a college-level living and learning environment for students from across Louisiana.

For more information, visit www.LSMSA.edu.

Happy National Dog Day from LSMSA! 🐶🐾Today, as we celebrate the lives of the fur-families of our Eagles, we also wish to...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day from LSMSA! 🐶🐾

Today, as we celebrate the lives of the fur-families of our Eagles, we also wish to spotlight an area organization that works hard to provide care and bring happiness to the animals of our parish: FAUNA (Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals). As we paws to reflect on the joy our dogs bring us each day, let us also think of ways we can act to improve the lives of all our four-legged friends, such as promoting awareness, adoption, or volunteering.

For more information on joining FAUNA in its mission to provide and promote humane treatment for homeless and neglected animals in need, visit https://npfauna.org/.

National Dog Day celebrates dogs and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number that need to be adopted each year from shelters and rescues.

Eagle Antics brought the halls together to showcase their Eagle spirit! This LSMSA tradition is all about friendly compe...
08/25/2026

Eagle Antics brought the halls together to showcase their Eagle spirit!

This LSMSA tradition is all about friendly competition between the different halls in the dorm, with the ultimate prize being a pizza party. Students created videos, painted banners, performed in a fashion show and made pitches to faculty and staff, all while bringing their assigned themes to life.

This year’s themes included movies and film, Fairy Hollow, Mario, Charlie Brown, the sea and more. After the performances and pitches, the competition moved to the gym for a series of games, including Red Light/Green Light, Giant/Dwarf/Wizard and a Hula Hoop Challenge.

And the winners are:
🥇 1st Place — B4: Star Wars
🥈 2nd Place — A4: Medieval
🥉 3rd Place — C3: Hello Kitty

Address

715 University Pkwy
Natchitoches, LA
71457

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