• Category 2

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: 9 - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 17,195
    Student Enrollment: 1,125
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 60%
    White/Caucasian: 33%
    Hispanic: 5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:13
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 1971
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Micah Coleman
  • CONTACT:
    6513 LA-1
    Natchitoches, LA 71457
    318-352-2211
    mcoleman@npsb.la
Natchitoches Central High School
Natchitoches, LA
"Our school exists to strengthen our community."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Natchitoches Central High School is now an "A" rated high school in the state of Louisiana.Among their many accomplishments, the school ranks 10th out of 855 schools in Louisiana for the
achievement of Students With Disabilities, reflecting the unwavering commitment of their DESS teachers, regular education teachers, and staff ensuring that every student reaches their full potential.
Among some of our greatest successes, we have raised our ACT index score from the low 60's to an 83 over the past 3 years, indicating that NCHS's rigor is preparing students for college readiness.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Our partnership with NIET and a commitment to "growing" our teachers has been such a gamechanger in our district and on our campus. Where you find a classroom with a teacher who is growing in his/her profession you are sure to find students who are also growing.
When teachers come to work with an excited focus for each student and a skillset to get get that work done, you find excited, motivated, and challenged students who are attaining goals that they have set for themselves.
Being able to change the way we view ourselves has allowed us to teach students to view themselves first as winners who need the struggle to improve themselves.
"Productive Struggle" has been a staple to growing NCHS.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has been an instrumental source for NCHS to provide more opportunities for remediation and enrichment for student success. ESEA funding has allowed us to run one of the most effective after-school tutoring and credit recovery programs in our region. Not only programs, but ESEA funding has been instrumental for NCHS to secure high qualified and certified personnel to help meet the needs of some of our most at-risk students. Money is important, but having caring, qualified teachers is so much more important; ESEA funding allows to get those teachers.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
At Natchitoches Central, teachers have weekly, job-embedded professional development through our Cluster meetings. Teachers get their own "new learning" in a content and curriculum specific Cluster with their Master Teacher and planning teams. Each week teachers plan with other teachers within their course content and departments while analyzing student work from within the week. Student work analysis informs our teachers of next steps to help best support our students wherever they may be.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Respect-Honor-Tradition are the pillars of Chief Culture. Our rule when entering the doors is: First Be Kind!
Chief Culture is not just something we print on a t-shirt. It should be a living thing on our campus. Our students have done a wonderful job of exemplifying Chief Culture because it is first modeled for them daily by our teachers and administrators.
The shift is evident in our attendance rates, as they have gone up steadily over the last several years. Inviting, yet challenging environments motivate our learners to be responsible for their goals. Positivity exudes our walls because of this cultural shift at NCHS.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Our school exists to strengthen our community. Our community has responded by supporting the success of our schools.
Everyone wants to be a part of a winner and parents are no different. When parents see the many opportunities that are being presented to their students at Natchitoches Central and the many ways they benefit, parents want to be involved. Strengthening our relationship with parents through activities such as Family Nights, Chief Pow-wows, and Parent-Teacher Conference has paid off for students and NCHS. We are experiencing unprecedented support and participation from parents with increased communications, attendance at these above mentioned events, and overall awareness of their role within NCHS success.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: 9 - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 17,195
    Student Enrollment: 1,125
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 60%
    White/Caucasian: 33%
    Hispanic: 5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:13
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 1971
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Micah Coleman
  • CONTACT:
    6513 LA-1
    Natchitoches, LA 71457
    318-352-2211
    mcoleman@npsb.la