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Volume 2 Number 5
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
May 1983
LOUISIANA OPENS SCHOOL LIKE NCSSM
By Laura Woodworth
Most NCS31 students probably
realize how unique this school is;
what we may not always see is that
NCSSM is a reflection of a greater
trend in education. Many schools
across the nation are incorporating
ideas of advanced education, and
there are plans in other states for
schools much like NCSSM.
One such school is the
Louisiana School for Math, Science
and the Arts. Located in
Natchitoches, La., a town of 17,000
about one hour south of Shreveport,
the school will admit its first
class this fall. The school is on
the campus of Northwestern
Louisiana State University, but it
will operate independently of the
university. Initial enrollment
will be approximately 200 students,
which will later increase to 700.
Sharon Sturdivant, Student
Activities Coordinator for the
Louisiana school, had much to say
about the school in a recent phone
conversation. To begin with, she
was asked how much officials there
based their program on the one here
at NCSSM. "Quite alot, to tell the
truth," she said. The Louisiana
personnel have met at length with
NCSSM personnel, and many of their
programs will be similar to the
ones included here, work service
and community service for example.
Sturdivant believes that the
Louisiana school would have started
with or without the example
provided by NCSSM. She said that
Louisiana officials are very
committed to progressive education,
and that the school had been in the
works for more than three years
now.
There are differences in the
two schools. By including the arts
in its curriculum, the Louisiana
school incorporates into one school
what North Carolina divides into
two schools.
When Louisiana students enroll
this fall, they will specify an
area of academic concentration.
"However," Sturdivant said, "we're
not going to hold them to a certain
curriculum. Students can change
areas at mid term."
The Louisiana school will have
an Important NCSSM dimension to its
program next fall. Susan Hyatt,
NCSSM RA and Student Activities
Coordinator, will be working at the
Louisiana school next year.
As time draws near to its
opening date of September 6, the
Louisiana school is receiving more
and more public scrutiny.
Sturdivant said the attitude of the
state's citizens toward the school
is favorable, and she said the
Louisiana legislature is very
supportive.
North Carolina and Louisiana
have taken major steps toward
offering quality education. One
wonders which state will be next.
Governor’s School Selects Students
By Hih Song Kim
Six NCSSM Juniors have been
selected to attend the Governor's
School of North Carolina this
summer. Due to the unique nature
of NCSSM and the academic program
it offers to students, only those
students aspiring to attend
Governor's School in a nonacademic
area may be nominated.
The students chosen were
Sharron Cunningham and Lewis Davis
(choral music), Mary Lynn Mason
(drama), Helen Moore, David Parish
and James Keirstead (violin,
instrumental music).
A six-week residential summer
program. Governor's School is
targeted toward high school
students classified as "gifted
and/or talented." Students spend
the summer either at St. Andrews
College in Laurinburg or at Salem
College in Winston-Salem.
Approximately MOO students attend
each division.
Students are nominated for
Governor's School in mathematics,
science, English, Spanish, drama,
instrumental music, choral music,
social sciences, dance or art.
Selections in the academic fields
are made of the basis of records
and testing. Those who are
selected in the performing arts
have to audition.
Sheila Black, Louis Best and Lisa Gillespie enjoy the arrival of spring.
There is no charge for
tuition, room and board.
Governor's School students attend
class in their specialty area
daily, and all students also take
psychology and philosophy courses.
Several NCSSM teachers have
taught at Governor's School in
previous years, including Mary
Louise Bellamy, Randy Foy, Neill
Clark and Jackye Meadows.
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"Every person has two educations:
one which he receives from others
and one, more important, which he
gives himself." C. C. Colton