Summer is almost in the rear-view mirror, and it’s back to school time already! That means new clothes and uniforms, new teachers, fresh haircuts, sports practice, and more school supplies. New routines are upon us. Teachers are preparing their classrooms, participating in training, and finalizing course work. Parents will soon be making lunches and helping with homework again. We wish all students, parents, and guardians a safe and successful school year!
Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School
Starting off the year running, the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School is led by its principal, Trey Woodham. He not only has been an instrumental part in expanding the novel LSUS and SJB partnership, but he has also worked behind the scenes taking an already excellent curriculum to the next level for all grades and hiring four excellent teachers. The LSUS and SJB partnership brings higher education enrichments into the middle school classrooms, which allows students to be taught humanities by LSUS college professors. The middle school science program is one of the best in the entire state. This is evident by the ten State Championships and two second place finishes at the Science Olympiad over the past thirteen years. Additionally, through their relationship with Loyola College Prep, the middle school uses a block schedule to give its students credits for high school. Along with the staff of St. John Berchmans Cathedral, they celebrate their namesake patron saint, Saint John Berchmans, through various activities for their students and parishioners throughout the year, with special focus on the virtues he modeled. The school building is frequently being improved to project a fresher, more refined look and to bring innovative tools, resources and technology for teaching and learning. Classrooms are being remodeled and the school is maintaining a safe environment for its children. SJB maintains and uses the CASPR System for continuous air and surface disinfection and the reduction in pathogens. Landscaping projects have beautified our campus, including the addition of an outdoor classroom. Furthermore, SJB is anchored in faith and in educating the whole student – mind, body, and soul. The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School has serviced the Shreveport-Bossier area for more than 70 years with its uniquely tradition-al approach to education and enrichment. Embodying the Gospel message of Christ, we cultivate a life of virtue, integrity, service, and a love for learn-ing in each student that walks through our doors. sjbcathedralschool.org
Centenary College Centenary College
proudly welcomes a new class of incoming students this month as the College anticipates its 200th anniversary in 2025. Since 2014, the Centenary in Paris program has given all first-year students at Centenary the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history, culture, art, music, and food of Paris while forming close bonds with their fellow students and faculty members in diverse academic courses exploring subjects such as the African-American experience in Paris, great moments in STEM, food, and culture, and the formation of personal and collective beliefs and values. During the summer of 2022, a cohort of Centenary pre-med students shad-owed Willis-Knighton doctors during the inaugural session of the Medical Scholars Program, a collaboration between WK and Centenary. Other students participated in LSUHSC’s CURIOUS program; one student won an international fiction contest with a short story written in French; and both current students and alumni joined the cast of StageCenter’s production of Kinky Boots at Centenary’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. This past spring, the Gents baseball team celebrated a conference championship and berth in the NCAA Division III postseason. We are also excitedly anticipating Centenary’s first varsity football team in more than 60 years (coming Fall 2024) for which Head Coach Byron Dawson is actively recruiting student-athletes. Coach Dawson hosted football camps over the summer for both prospective college players and local youth. Centenary prepares global citizens to live productive lives of vitality and purpose and is proud to be carrying out this mission in the heart of Shreve-port-Bossier City. centenary.edu
First Baptist Church School
First Baptist Church School is a Preschool Young K3 through 8th Grade school. Founded in 1970, FBCS has a rich tradition of providing excellent academics in a Christian environment. The school serves over 400 students. Our vision states: “First Baptist Church School strives to produce a generation of confident and self-directed lifelong learners with the strong academic discipline, technological skills, and personal faith necessary to realize their potential in God’s world.” To achieve this vision, our instruction is challenging, enriching, and differentiated for all types of learners. The academic instruction students receive is preparing them for the next phase of their education and their lives. Also, FBCS offers pull- out programs during the school day for gifted students, students with language disabilities (dyslexia), and those needing general academic support. The curriculum we utilize is based on national standards in Education. Although state-approved textbooks serve as the foundation of our instruction, we do not follow the Common Core State Standards. We reflect on our teaching practices and make changes based on students’ needs to ensure supplements are strategically implemented to improve instruction. Technology, hands-on activities, and manipulatives are highly utilized to sup-port the instruction at every level. In addition to the core-subject curriculum, students enjoy a variety of enrichment classes, including Bible study every day and Chapel weekly. With caring, experienced teachers as role models and instructors, and a seasoned administration, First Baptist Church School provides students an experience that is not only academic, but one that focuses on development in all aspects of their lives. fbcschool.org
Ignite Classical School
Ignite Classical School is a private Christian, Classical school where EV-ERY child experiences success. At Ignite, we focus on who our students will become by intentionally walking with them through what they can learn today. Good character is just as much a part of learning as reading, writing, and arithmetic! Young people with the ability to think critically, wisely, and analytically can enjoy great success in life. For this reason, we ensure that each student is seen and taught as the whole child they are. As a Christian school rooted in biblical principles and values, we ensure that God’s story is the golden thread in every aspect of our school from policies to lesson plans. We provide a Classical education that is based on how children learn naturally and founded on classical literature. Our multiage format acknowledges the potential in each child, and develops our students’ leadership skills, autonomy, and connection to community. Individualized learning plans for each student allow them to learn and grow at the pace that works for them whether they are gifted and talented or “behind.” Ignite students learn five foreign languages, preparing them to learn culture and people while equipping them to better understand language and words. Our financial education program for every student teaches students how to be good stewards of their time, talent, and resources, while they give back to the community through weekly service-learning opportunities. We are intentionally diverse ethnically and socioeconomically, offering tuition based on income and transportation with scholarships available. igniteclassical.org
Southfield School
Since 1934, our talented and experienced faculty have cultivated curiosity, character, kindness, and a lifelong love of learning in each of our students. We believe in developing a partnership with teachers, parents, and students to provide the best education in the region. Our faculty has an average of 20 years of classroom experience, and our students are taught a modern and engaging curriculum in a supportive environment. Instruction features a hands-on learning experience with integrated problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Middle school students earn as many as four high school credits in algebra, geometry, French, and Spanish. Our commitment to excellence leads to success in high school. Southfield Alumni in the Class of ’22 have achievements that include three National Merit Semifinalists, ROTC Battalion Commander and Legion of Valor State recipient, Student Council President, a valedictorian, two perfect 36 ACT scores, two Louisiana Boys’ State delegates, and two Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Scholars. Our inviting and beautiful 12-acre campus hosts an industry-leading pre-school with age-specific classrooms, a gross motor skills room, and a kids’ café. Inside our STEAM building, you’ll find a spacious science lab, music and art rooms, Suzuki Strings practice room, and Hazel Kytle Theater. Our state-of-the-art 200-seat Dickson Theater showcases many of the 30 performing arts opportunities our students have during their time at Southfield. We’d love the opportunity to show you our beautiful, historic campus to see the Southfield Way firsthand. Contact Lesley Brice, Admissions Director, at 318.213.6344 or LBrice@southfield-school.org southfield-school.org
St. Mark’s Cathedral School
Founded in 1953, St. Mark’s Cathedral School is an Episcopal school serving boys and girls from age two through eighth grade. St. Mark’s is a ministry of St. Mark’s Cathedral in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana, is fully accredited by the Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES). The mission of St. Mark’s Cathedral School is to value the individual who comes to us, to help that student to realize his or her potential, and to foster a culture that reflects Christian values, intellectual curiosity, and a strong work ethic. Our goal is to develop a student who first feels self-confident educationally, socially, and spiritually, and can reach out to help others in our community. Our small class sizes allow teachers to develop strong personal relationships with each of their students. We foster a culture of Christian values by offering Christian Education courses for all ages, attending weekly chapel services, and incorporating prayer into the daily routine. We offer vibrant classes that encourage intellectual curiosity and engage hands-on learning, including a variety of enrichments such as science lab, art, music, foreign language, computer, life skills, and more. We educate the whole child through our social emotional learning curriculum and offer many opportunities for service, from food and toy drives to volunteer opportunities throughout the community. Our graduates have attended an impressive list of colleges and universities throughout the nation. stmarksschool.com
St. Joseph Catholic School
It is a great time to be a Falcon! For the seventy-first time, St. Joseph Catholic School is excited for the academic year to begin! After being recognized by the community as the best private school in the Shreveport-Bossier area for two years in a row, we are excited to welcome well over 300 students on Au-gust 15th! In order to facilitate the growth that has taken place, St. Joseph has opened additional classrooms for pre-k and kindergarten. We have also hired additional faculty to better form and educate our students. Such growth would not be possible without the support of St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as our S.J.S. Alumni who wish to see the school remain successful in accomplishing the mission for which it was established. St. Joseph Catholic School cannot say thank you enough for the prayers and support. Academic Excellence Surrounded by Faith is our school motto, and it is our goal that each child experiences the love of Christ so that they may achieve great things in and out of the classroom. There is no better place for your child to learn and to grow in order to become the person in which he or she was created to be. If you wish to learn more about St. Joseph Catholic School or if you wish to register, there is still time! Please schedule your personal tour for the upcoming school year with our principal, Mr. Clayton Cobb, by calling the school office at (318) 865-3585. sjsfalcons.org
LearningRx
In July 2022, LearningRx Inc. honored LearningRx of Shreveport-Bossier as a Top Center in the Nation with the 2022 Community Impact Award as well as a top center in Customer Service award. This center ranked highest in Customer service with 100% of customers ranking this center at 99% out of 100! This is not only amazing in this industry but is outstanding in terms of all industries. Additionally, Donesa Walker was honored as the MBOA Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Small Business Owner of the Year in June 2022. These awards are the highest awards of achievement in our company and winning these awards both locally and nationally celebrates the amazing impact that this local business has had on the Shreveport-Bossier community. LearningRx of Shreveport-Bossier is the only brain training center in the state of Louisiana and has ranked in the top 10 nationally since opening in 2008. Locally and nationally, this center has continued to be recognized as one of the stars in achievement because of the passion of Donesa Walker and her staff. Donesa has served on multiple boards locally including Chairperson of the Minority Business Dinner Gala and Nationally on the National Association of Cognitive Training, National Marketing Board, National Scientific Advisory Board as well as currently serving on the LearningRx National Advisory Board. LocalsLoveUs voters have selected LearningRx as the Top Learning Center year after year including 2022 and The Greater Shreve-port Chamber of Commerce has awarded Small Business of The Year award in 2012 and a 2021 Business Innovator of the Year for their creativity during COVID closures. Congratulations to this center and Donesa Walker for showing out nationally for Shreveport-Bossier! In short, changing lives one brain at a time is not only life changing for that one person but for our whole community! learningrx.com/shreveport
Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech University
offers students an unparalleled learning experience as they pursue degrees or certifications in its five colleges. We have been recognized as the top public university in the State of Louisiana in the Niche 2022 Best College Rankings and were named a Top Tier National University for the 11th straight year in the USNWR 2022 Best Colleges Report. Louisiana Tech was the only university in the State of Louisiana recognized for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings for 2020, and we have also been recognized as a Military Friendly School for eight years running by Victory Media. Affordable Col-leges Online honored us in 2021 as No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the country for low-cost online programs, and we’re in the top 5 percent of universities worldwide according to the Center for World University Rankings. With 79 undergraduate majors, 32 master’s degree programs, and nine doctoral programs, Louisiana Tech has a history of and commitment to creating programs that are the first in their fields, like biomedical and cyber engineering. Louisiana Tech’s partnerships with business, government and the military help create academic programs, opportunities for research, and job development in the I-20 Cyber Corridor. The traditional core campus of approximately 280 acres connects with the Enterprise Campus, a home for innovative companies, and to the heart of Ruston. Louisiana Tech and the City of Ruston continue to work hand-in-hand to create a healthier and more environmentally responsible community by developing safe pedestrian paths, lighting, sustainable landscaping, bicycle paths, and more. latech.edu
Louisiana State University
– Shreveport Northwest Louisiana has been home to Louisiana State University Shreve-port since 1967. Despite its humble beginnings, LSUS has become an established higher ed frontrunner, touting award-winning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics teams, a top-notch intercollegiate debate team, a list of faculty members with extensive research patents and recognition as the fastest growing higher education institution in Louisiana. LSUS Pilots are winners, on and off the field and both inside and outside of the classroom. We are tenacious, future-focused and dedicated to excellence. We are anchored steadfastly in the Shreveport community but provide pathways for our students to go wherever they want, connecting them with tools, resources and an extensive alumni network to assist them in reaching their greatest heights. Starting a successful career is closer than you think. With exceptional academics and generous financial aid, LSUS allows you to get your degree close to home while launching you to new heights. Here at LSUS, we are more than a university. We are the first chapter of your exciting academic journey, and we can’t wait to see where your degree takes you! Find out more about our degree programs and scholarships to-day! LSUS.edu/learn-more
