New Schools in Shreveport

Two New Schools Open in Shreveport In Fall of 2022, two new faith-based schools will be open in Shreveport: Ignite Classical School and Mercy Christian Academy.

Ignite Classical School is a Christ-centered Classical school that teaches academic skills and character formation through classical literature and the arts. A classical education is considered leadership education because it teaches children how to think analytically, debate, use logic and reasoning, and engage in persuasive writing and speech so that students can thrive in any environment. Students learn five foreign languages: Latin, French, Italian, Spanish and Chinese to provide them with a solid understanding of words and language, to expose them to people and culture, and to increase their ability to learn. Research shows that children introduced to languages at a young age have increased capacities to learn and retain information. At Ignite, a child’s education is enhanced by being rooted in biblical virtues, shaped by books that have built nations, and set in an environment where every child experiences success. These elements establish an environment where the love and excitement of learning is the norm. In addition to a classical education, students receive a financial education through a Vanguard program that teaches them how to use their talents, time, and resources responsibly. Students also participate in weekly service learning projects with nonprofit organizations in the city to make Shreveport a better place for everyone while helping an organization further its mission. Ignite founder is Head of School Adia Wells. “The future of Shreveport is important. Our city possesses much treasure in our children. They deserve an education that gives them as many tools as possible to be the treasures they are,” she said. The school offers financial support through state and school-based scholarships and individual and business student sponsorships. Ignite is committed to its mission of diversity and bridging communities to ensure there is a place for every student representing the various demographics and ethnic groups represented in the Shreveport-Bossier area. The school wants to “ignite the love of learning” and describes its uniqueness in these ways: Christ Centered: Teaching for Transformation ensures that Christ and scripture are infused into every aspect of the student experience from the Head Office to lesson plans. The power of a Christ-centered education is experienced not just through the curriculum of Ignite, but through joy-filled relationships that equip each student for the future with habit formation, interpersonal growth, and connections that create mature young adults. Community Model: Multiage, multi-grade cohorts make learning fun and engaging for everyone involved! In a community atmosphere, students have the advantage of being exposed to academic material before arriving at grade level and learn the skills they need to be connected, compassionate leaders, even in the classroom. Family Involvement: Parents have opportunities to get deeply involved in their child’s education through intentional events that surround students with those invested in their spiritual, character and academic development. Families are encouraged to be a part of our diverse community. Diverse by Design: Students grow and learn from one another in a beautiful display of God’s imagination and creativity in creating us, His image bearers. The purposeful drawing of students and families from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds creates a special place where we truly celebrate the differences which too often divide us while learning daily what unifies us. Authentic Learning: Through our unique classical curriculum, students integrate rich ideas from history, literature, mathematics, science, art, music, nature study, and 5 languages including Latin. Students are prepared for life beyond Ignite by participating in weekly service learning and introducing them to one-of-a-kind experiences. Financial Education: Integrating a world-class financial education into every class and every subject, ensures that students learn lifelong skills that will allow them to be good stewards while being prepared to make a lasting difference in the local community and beyond.

Mercy Christian Academy is a donor-supported microschool, with the mission to bear witness to the mercies of Christ by providing a high-quality, Christian education to Shreveport families, regardless of income. As a microschool, the total number of students will be capped at 150. Co-founder Jessica Elston was driven to open this school after seeing so many failing public schools in our area and high tuition being a barrier for those students to transfer to a private Christian school. Kristen Thomas is the other founder. The donor-supported model enables the school to serve upper, middle-, and low-income students. Every student pays something in tuition, and every student receives some level of scholarship to attend. There are a few other donor-supported schools around the country. Donations are welcome from both individuals and businesses, and as a 501c(3) organization, all donations are tax deductible. The teaching method is loosely based on both classical and Charlotte Mason. The organizations in the city to make Shreveport a better place for everyone while helping an Charlotte Mason method is based on Charlotte’s firm belief that the child is a person and we must educate that whole person, not just his mind. Mercy especially wants to create Ignite founder is Head of School Adia Wells. “The future of Shreveport is important. Our a natural environment for the students with lots of green space and the ability to build a garden. This year, Mercy has partnered with Broadmoor Baptist Church which has donated space for the school to use for classrooms. In the future, MCA wants to buy land and build a small building or purchase a small building on a piece of land and renovate the building. Mercy has five educational values to satisfy a child’s thirst for knowledge to ensure the students are GROWN in God’s love: Global: By placing a high emphasis on things like world geography and history, global cul Teaching for Transformation ensures that Christ and scripture are tures, and languages, we get to proclaim the creativity and vastness of God, his kingdom, and his mercy that extends to people from every tongue, tribe and nation. Restful: As humans we are prone to hear truth and forget it. We see beauty and don’t ponder. We don’t pause. We don’t wait. We don’t meditate. In the end, we don’t think. At Mercy Christian, we will teach from a robust liberal arts curriculum. With great books and ideas comes the need to slow down. As educators we will strive not to rush students from one project to the next, but to develop a deeper, slower pace of learning. Original: We want to move students toward original work by giving them room to work independently and time to think and discuss their work with others. A child can use this freedom to write and recite their own poem, read on a topic of interest, or build a 3D puzzle. Students will take some measure of responsibility for their own learning and develop their own unique interests and abilities. Worshipful: God has created human beings for worship, namely the worship of himself. As free beings, we either worship our Creator or something else. To live for him is to function as we are designed. As a school, we believe there is no greater purpose than to train a child in the knowledge and grace of God. As children see, hear, and savor their Creator and Redeemer, they will learn how to worship him in all of life. When this happens, they will flourish as human beings. ideas from history, literature, mathematics, science, art, music, nature study, and 5 Natural: Children learn best when they are outside. God has richly provided nature as a means to help ease anxious and overwhelmed children, and as a school want to utilize this gift as much as possible. By having extensive recess time, we want to help students hit a “reset button” so their minds can relax and be ready again to learn. Nature also has much to teach us. We want children to study leaves, birds, and animals, and learn from the wisdom of their Creator.

much to teach us. We want children to study leaves, birds, and animals, and learn from the