Louisiana School for Math Science & the Arts

The Louisiana School for Math, Science & the Arts (LSMSA) in Natchitoches, LA, is a state-wide, residential public high school serving 272 highly selected students in grades 10 through 12 on the campus of Northwestern State University.

LSMSA is an elite academic powerhouse that operates on a completely different level from nearby schools. Its academic performance is extraordinary, with near-perfect proficiency rates on state exams—for example, 100% proficient in Biology and English II, and 95% in Algebra I. This stands in stark contrast to Natchitoches Central High School, located less than a mile away, where proficiency rates hover around 60%. LSMSA is ranked in the top 5% of all Louisiana high schools (#35 of 325), while its closest neighbor ranks in the 56th percentile. The school also boasts an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, nearly half that of Montgomery High School (14:1), and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 2.2%, compared to the state average of 22.5%.

This unique, state-funded residential model concentrates resources on a highly motivated student body, producing exceptional results across all subgroups—including ranking #1 in the state for male students and #4 for low socioeconomic status students. While LSMSA has seen a slight dip in its statewide ranking in 2025-2026, it remains an "A" school that far exceeds any other in the region. The Louisiana School for Math Science & the Arts district operates as its own entity, drawing top talent from across the state and creating a world-class educational environment in a region where local schools like those in Natchitoches Parish and Grant Parish face significant challenges.