• Category 1

    Selected in 2025

  • Grades: 7 - 12
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 15,176
    Student Enrollment: 268
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 51.5%
    White/Caucasian: 40.3%
    Hispanic: 4.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 3.4%
    Native American: 0.3%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 54%
    % ELL Learners: 1.5%
    Founded: 2005
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Natalie Angelle
  • CONTACT:
    1100 E. Leo St
    Opelousas, LA 70570
    337-942-6195
    maca@slpsb.org
Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts
Opelousas, LA
1. What key actions or strategies have been most instrumental to your school’s success?
A consistent structure and culture of high expectations are the roots of our success story. Our cohesive staff and small size allows us to provide individualized supports to our students. Another key to our success is the students’ desire to be here. Students must audition in their talent area to attend. Students of all academic levels are accepted into MACA as long as they qualify in a talent area. Even with a variety of academic levels attending our school we have achieved a School Performance Score of A for over ten years and a ranking of #7 in the state of Louisiana by US News and World Report
2. What significant challenges did your school face during your improvement efforts, and how did you address them?
Our success does not come without challenges. We accept students from any school in our district. This diverse group come to us with differing educational and life experiences. 51% of our students are economically disadvantaged, and our campus is located next to low-income housing. Increased safety protocols such as fencing, card key door locks, and IP cameras allow our students and staff to feel safe while learning.

Mental health is also a challenge. We proactively teach and model health mental health strategies for our students. In conjunction with our Renaissance Team, we re-teach positive behaviors before they become a problem. We also have dedicated three days a week for Social Emotional Learning. Our staff and students are always pushing for self-improvement both in and outside of the school building.
3. How did professional development contribute to your school’s improvement efforts?
Through targeted professional development, including weekly PLCs as well as national and state conferences, our staff continue to enhance their skills and expertise in order to provide students with a high quality education
4. In what ways did family and/or community partnerships support your school’s success?
A school cannot survive without the support of their community. Since our community encompasses the entire district we have worked to connect this large rural parish to our hidden gem. These community and family partnerships have been instrumental in our success. In collaboration with our partners, we have been able to offer financial literacy to our families and students, support our students in medical-related classes as well as dual enrollment courses on our campus and online. Informational sessions are also provided for students exploring options after high school. This year, we are excited that our graduates have started a Phoenix Alumni Organization, so they can give back to the school community.
5. How has ESEA funding (e.g., Title I, II, III) been strategically used to support student achievement?
Title I funds have played a vital role—providing hands-on science materials like animal dissection and incubation, virtual reality experiences in Social Studies, robotics as well as additional support through small group interventions and after-school tutoring in ELA and Math.
6. What advice would you give to a school just beginning its improvement journey?
To other schools, I say—stay focused, collaborate, and never underestimate the power of your community.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2025

  • Grades: 7 - 12
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 15,176
    Student Enrollment: 268
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 51.5%
    White/Caucasian: 40.3%
    Hispanic: 4.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 3.4%
    Native American: 0.3%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 54%
    % ELL Learners: 1.5%
    Founded: 2005
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Natalie Angelle
  • CONTACT:
    1100 E. Leo St
    Opelousas, LA 70570
    337-942-6195
    maca@slpsb.org