Private Schools & Local Colleges

LOCAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS LOCAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS & HIGHEREducation

Education is often at the forefront of the conversation, always evolving, always adapting. It lays the groundwork for is often at the forefront of the conversation, always evolving, always adapting. It lays the groundwork for our future residents and leaders. In Shreveport-Bossier, we can take pride in having so many outstanding private schools our future residents and leaders. In Shreveport-Bossier, we can take pride in having so many outstanding private schools and higher education institutions in our backyard. and higher education institutions in our backyard. Read on to learn more about the uniqueness of each school’s mission, approach and culture.

ASCENSION CLASSICAL SCHOOL

The Classical Difference: Ascension Classical School, established in 2014, is celebrating its first year as a full K-8th program. The school’s unique Christian culture shapes character, virtue, and intellectual excellence. In particular, classical education is a comprehensive plan that shapes the spirit of a student as preparation for all of life, not just a career.

Ascension Classical School embraces the liberal arts and teaches the great works of literature, history, art, music, philosophy, math, and science.A student learns how to think through the great books and conversations with the past, not just what to think. More specifically, the pedagogy is shaped around a rigorous approach that incorporates music, physical education, and art. There is no wasted motion in classical education. A student at Ascension learns to love and appreciate truth and beauty in all their wonderful manifestations. This includes academic content, athletic programs, and many extracurricular activities.

Ascension Classical School is offering grades K-9 in 2023, adding a grade each year. With God’s blessings, a full K-12 education will be in place by 2026. You are invited to come and experience the wonderful growth of the school - There will be a Grammar School (K-5th grade) open house on January 30th at 6 p.m. and a Logic/Rhetoric School (6-9th grade) interest meeting on February 6th at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the school, located at 10540 Norris Ferry Road. All are welcome! You are also invited to schedule a tour and experience for yourself the classical difference. www.ascensionclassicalschool.org

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. Our 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.

At First Baptist Church School, we use a top-quality curriculum and best practices in our instructional program. Technology, hands-on activities, and manipulatives are utilized to support learning at each level. In addition to exemplary traditional teaching, FBCS provides cutting-edge technology to enhance engagement in the classroom. Students take ownership of their learning and are well-equipped to be successful in high school and beyond.

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 and administrators, First Baptist Church School provides students with an experience that is not only academic, but on that focuses on development in aspects of their lives.

https://newsite.fbcschool.org

IGNITE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

Imagine a place where children are excited to go. Imagine a place where children experience small wins that lead to big victories in every area of school life. Imagine a place where children are loved and feel it. Imagine a place where every child is seen as an image bearer of God, worthy, and capable of accomplishing great things. Imagine a place where children become young people that are rooted, connected to others, and living full, honorable lives. This real place is Ignite Classical School.

Students receive an excellent education that teaches life principles, good character, and wisdom in addition to preparing them with the academics and skills they need to succeed and be their best. Individualized learning plans guide students through learning that makes sense for them while challenging them to keep going. Solid reading skills prepare students to tackle any and everything that comes their gives them confidence. As students learn the why of math and not just figures and fractions, they see math everywhere and enjoy it.

Foreign languages and financial education give our students the advantage needed to be leaders. These skills with weekly service learning make room for our students to develop a heart for humanity and an awareness of the needs of others.

Any family can consider Ignite for their children with tuition based on income and transportation available. Ignite Classical School serves grades PreK3, PreK4 and Kindergarten through 5th grades with middle and high school coming soon. Make Ignite the place for your family. https://www.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, and this commitment to excellence leads to success in high school.

Our inviting 12-acre campus is home to an industry-leading preschool building 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 theater. An additional state-of-the-art 200-seat theater showcases many of the 30 performing arts opportunities our students have during their time at Southfield, and our recently renovated Café hosts students as they eat madefrom-scratch lunches every day.

We’d love to show you how an atmosphere where nurture meets high expectations, paired with trust and kindness, can make a big difference. There are many qualities that set us apart, but it’s best told on campus. Contact Lesley Brice, Admissions Director, at 318.213.6344 or LBrice@southfield-school.org to see the Southfield Way firsthand! https://southfield-school.org

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School is conveniently located near the I-20 and I-49 interchange, next to our beautiful Cathedral and on the same campus as Loyola College Prep surrounded by St. Mary Medical Center, and many other service organizations. The atmosphere in and around the SJB campus is one of care, compassion, kindness, love, and service to humanity.

As a ministry of the Cathedral, our school’s mission is guided by God’s teachings and to educate the whole student - mind, body, and soul. To expand and strengthen the minds of our students, we have enhanced our core curriculum, hired four exceptional teachers, and have added a Reading Resource Teacher.

Our new math curriculum, Singapore Math, focuses on problem solving and teaches math concepts utilizing a multi-step learning process that will reach all students with a range of learning styles. Our K4-5th grade English Language Arts program, Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), is a comprehensive program for developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, while building knowledge of literature, history, and the sciences. Our 3rd-8th grade writing program, M I Write, aids the students in learning how to write effectively by providing automated scores and immediate feedback. Providing an environment of academic excellence instills discipline and expands the student’s knowledge of the universe. They develop an understanding that their academic studies are intertwined with their faith.

We invite you to visit and see the difference and excitement at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans School.

The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans parish has provided education for the youth since 1902, with our school serving the Shreveport - Bossier area for more than 70 years, with its uniquely traditional approach to education and enrichment. https://sjbcathedralschool.org

LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP

Since 1902, Loyola College Prep has remained one of the top private schools in the region. Guided by three pillars, Academic Excellence, Faith in Action, and Student Involvement, graduating students are able to distinguish themselves from their peers and call upon their Catholic education as they move forward in their life pursuits.

Academic Excellence: Our students strive for excellence in everything they do and most especially in their academic success. The Flyer Faculty establishes a superior learning environment for all students, and with a 10:1 student to teacher ratio, teachers are able to meet their individual needs. Approximately 98% of Loyola students attend college after graduation.

Student Involvement: Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and organizations. These organizations are student-led and feature opportunities for students to give back to our community, grow closer to their peers, and have fun! From athletics and spirit groups to clubs, SGA, and Flyers Aiding the Hungry (F.Ai.T.H.), our students are well rounded and seek any chance to be more involved at school and in the community.

Faith in Action: As the region’s only Catholic private high school, we integrate faith and our Catholic identity into all we do. With weekly mass, religion courses for each grade, and giving back to our community through service hours, we are committed to our mission of creating men and women of conscience, character, and compassion, continuing the Jesuit Catholic tradition of discipline, academic excellence, student involvement, and faith in action for the Greater Glory of God.

and with a 10:1 student to teacher ratio, teachers are able to meet their individual needs. Approximately

https://loyolaprep.org

MAGNOLIA SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE

Magnolia School of Excellence is a tuition-free school offering a high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment. We have two campuses to meet every family’s needs. With personalized learning, innovative curriculum, and enriching extracurriculars, we offer Shreveport families a better choice for K-12 education. At our K-5 campus, we believe in building every student’s potential with a learning environment that engages students and families alike in our Mariner community. Families are encouraged to attend regular events that showcase what students are learning and regularly engage with their student’s activities and performance through ongoing communication. Children explore and build their interests and possibilities through their coursework, project-based learning, and a technology-rich school environment. We offer a broad foundation of classes with keen prioritization of core classes such as math, enriching courses such as art, engineering-centered programs, and social/emotional coursework that builds confidence and character.

At our 6-12 campus, we value the complete high school student experience. We believe in every student’s potential and provide an educational experience that’s personalized to each individual’s needs and passions. Our strong athletic program appreciates the competitive wins, while also supporting and ensuring each student performs academically and makes career or college preparation a priority.

We have a broad range of community partners who regularly engage with our students and provide career insights that encourage and empower our students to succeed in their unique paths after high school, regardless of if they are college or career bound. https://www.magnoliaupperschool.org/

For over seventy years, St. Joseph Catholic School has served the community by providing a Catholic education in a disciplined, challenging, supportive, loving, and faith-based environment. Through imitating the virtues of its patron, St. Joseph, the school enables its students to flourish in faith and academics beginning with K3 up to eighth grade. St. Joseph strives to form students to become productive members in their families, church, and the community. St. Joseph offers its students a wide range of opportunities from integrated STREAM and technology curriculums to athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities. In the last two years, St. Joseph Catholic School has produced back-to-back eighth grade private school students of the year at the state level. This reveals the quality of formation of its students as the school strives to meet the needs of the whole person, especially faith and academics. This cannot be done without qualified and loving faculty members who desire the best for their students. It is often stated that St. Joseph is like a big family. Come and see why St. Joseph Catholic School is considered one of the top academic institutions in the Shreveport-Bossier area at their Open House February 1, 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. You can also call the school at (318) 865-3585 at any time to schedule a personal tour with the principal. www.sjsfalcons.org

ST. MARKS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

Founded in 1953, St. Mark’s Cathedral School is an Episcopal school serving boys and girls from age two through eighth grade. Our mission 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 give students the individualized attention they need to thrive. We offer vibrant classes that encourage intellectual curiosity and engage handson learning, including a variety of enrichments such as Christian education, science lab, art, music, foreign language, computers, life skills, and more. Our students attend weekly chapel services and incorporate prayer into the daily routine. We educate the whole child through our social emotional learning curriculum and offer many opportunities for service, community-building, sports, and extracurriculars. Through our strong curriculum, small class sizes, and focus on the whole child, we help students realize their potential and develop the confidence for lifelong success. Our graduates have attended an impressive list of colleges and universities. 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). https://www.stmarksschool.com

WORD OF GOD ACADEMY

Word of God Academy exists to equip students for life and eternity. All portions of the educational environment must point children to gaining knowledge with the intent of advancing the name of Jesus. Through an authentic partnership with families, WOGA believes that all areas from the classroom to the athletic arena or platform, and everything in between, should have an intentional purpose. From Kindergarten to graduation, children spend 16,000 hours in front of a teacher. Who you choose to partner with in the education of your child is important. We value the partnership with families and look forward to seeing the ways God will use that partnership to educate, inspire, and equip future generations to come. Once a part of the WOGA family, always a part of the WOGA family. What makes Word of God Academy unique is our focus on partnering with parents through a Kingdom Education philosophy to equip students for life and eternity. We enroll students from preschool through 12th grade. WOGA believes that it is the role of the academy to partner with parents, not the role of parents to partner with the academy. WOGA functions as an extension of parents and not a replacement of parents. With 430 enrolled, students are able to enjoy our co-curricular activities that consist of Basketball, Softball, Robotics, WorshipTeam, and Track & Field. The Upper School curriculum consists of all the basics, Math, Science, History, and English. WOGA offers Physics, Anatomy, AP English, AP History, Robotics, Technical Arts, Art classes and clubs, Programming, Yearbook, and every student takes Bible yearly. http://wogacademy.org

LOCAL COLLEGES

CENTENARY COLLEGE

Centenary College of Louisiana welcomed its largest incoming class since 2011 this fall and continues to look ahead to its 200th anniversary in 2025. This year, students who attended the College’s signature Centenary in Paris program were invited to create a shared memory of their time in Paris through the submission of their favorite photographs taken during CIP. Those pictures were curated by College faculty into a book published by the Centenary Press, and 120 of the photos were featured in a large-scale collaborative exhibition at Shreveport’s R.W. Norton Art Gallery that drew more than 1,000 visitors in August and September. Centenary’s popular new major in kinesiology also officially launched in August, and a new guaranteed interview agreement with the MD program at LSU Health Shreveport joins several other existing partnerships that provide pathways for Centenary students seeking careers in medicine and allied health. Hurley School of Music professor Dr. James Eakin, a Centenary alumnus, won the prestigious 2022 American Prize in composition for his choral work #twitterlieder, which was performed by the Centenary College Choir this season. While the highly-anticipated return of varsity football is still many months away, head coach Byron Dawson has recruited a strong cohort of players who are up early for daily practice and looking forward to playing conference opponents in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) in fall 2024. With a mission to prepare global citizens to live productive lives of vitality and purpose, Centenary is proud to be Shreveport-Bossier City’s college. https://www.centenary.edu

LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

A nationally and internationally recognized research university, Louisiana Tech University 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 both academic programs and job development in the I-20 Cyber Corridor. Our vision is to be known as a pre-eminent public research university that provides students an unparalleled learning experience. Louisiana Tech offers 79 undergraduate majors, 32 master’s degree programs, and nine doctoral programs. The University has been recognized as one of America’s Top Colleges in Forbes and as the No. 1 college in the state of Louisiana for value in Kiplinger’s. The University has been ranked as a Top Tier research university in US News and World Report for 12 consecutive years and is the only university in the state of Louisiana to be recognized for student engagement and sustainable development in the Wall Street Journal/ Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings. The University is an economic driver for our region and state, and our campus is a home for new and growing enterprises. The traditional core campus of approximately 280 acres connects with the Enterprise Campus, a home for new and growing enterprises 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

LSUS

Initially a two-year college, Louisiana State University (LSU) Shreveport has expanded into an internationally recognized institution with 25 undergraduate degree programs, a dozen master’s degree programs and a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Studies. Throughout its 50 years of existence, LSU Shreveport has grown into an innovative leader for Northwest Louisiana. It is also continuously listed in the top 50 colleges in the nation for affordability. LSU Shreveport fosters opportunities to enhance the application of knowledge and intellectual discovery through faculty research, student research and creative endeavors. We engage in regional and global thought leadership through community collaboration and service for our students’ benefit. Outcomes of such engagement include state-of-theart facilities like the Cyber Collaboratory, which is an immersive learning space where students, faculty and industry partners come together to discuss, research, and bring visions to life using the latest technologies. Through a partnership with LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine, LSU Shreveport students who meet the requirements will be granted an admissions interview with LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. Our commitment to student success and academic excellence paves the way to continued success for our students.

In addition to nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate degree programs, our K-12 camps, non-credit courses, and professional development programs provide lifelong learning opportunities. Whether you’re a student, working professional, stay-at-home parent, nonnative English-speaker or just learning something new, LSUS has a personalized education opportunity for you. Stay close, go far at LSUS. https://www.lsus.edu

NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

For almost 75 years, the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health at Northwestern State University has proudly offered fully accredited programs ranging from the associate to doctoral level. At NSU, students can fulfill their goal of becoming a healthcare provider in many ways, and on four different campuses- Shreveport, Natchitoches, Alexandria, and Leesville.

Whether your goal is to become a registered nurse in an emergency room, an MRI technologist in an orthopedic center, a nurse practitioner in a pediatric clinic, a nurse anesthetist in the OR, or anything in between, NSU is here for you! In addition to the traditional pathways, NSU also offers several accelerated nursing programs. Qualified paramedics, military medics, and LPNs can become a registered nurse in as little as 12 months, and students with a previous bachelor’s degree can become a registered nurse in as little as 15 months. Healthcare workers who already have a degree and are looking to expand their opportunities can choose from a variety of certificate programs and bridge programs to earn a bachelor’s degree, all of which are offered completely online and with a flat-rate tuition.

As the largest producer of registered nurses and radiologic technologists in the state, NSU offers students all the resources necessary to be successful. If you would like to become one of the over 10,000 healthcare heroes who have graduated from NSU, please visit https://www.nsula.edu/nursing/ or https://www.nsula.edu/alliedhealth