Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School will accept applications for its new Accelerated Program beginning April 18.
The program will offer students intense immersion in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Features of the program include participation in science labs, computer labs and math labs at least once a week, participation in the school’s hands-on Discovery Center and science content integrated in English, math and social studies lessons daily. Students will also be expected to complete math work beyond the school day on their grade level or higher.
Students will also have the opportunity to earn high school credit in science, computer technology literacy, web design, engineering design, oil and gas production, algebra I and geometry.
“A hub designed to house and develop the brightest minds in math and science is a win both for families and the entire parish. A long-term benefit of having an admissions-based district STEM school is that it can ultimately have a profound impact on any community in which it resides,” Principal Terran Perry said. “Understanding of advanced math is shown to have a positive impact on ACT scores, opening up more opportunities for post-secondary education, and local STEM companies will benefit because children will develop the knowledge base needed for employment, potentially addressing poverty issues in our parish.”
Applications for the program will be available beginning April 18 online at gmm.stjohn.k12.la.us, from the school’s front office at 240 Highway 54, Garyville, and at the bottom of this page. Applications must be submitted no later than noon on May 26. For those unable to access a computer either at home or at the St. John Parish Library, school computers will be made available to fill out online applications between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications should be returned to the school's front office or emailed to [email protected].
Tours of the school will be available between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday from April 18 through May 18.
To qualify for the Accelerated Program, students in grades kindergarten through third grade must score 75 percent (mastery) on the district’s K-2 third quarter benchmarks OR meet bulletin 1508 for gifted exceptionality OR obtain a proficient score on the district’s K-3 entrance exam.
Students in grades fourth through eighth must have maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA prior to entry OR have maintained at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA AND earned mastery or above in math or science on the most recent standardized exams upon entry.
All applicants will be notified by June 9 of their placement in the Accelerated Program by letter at the address provided on the application. Applicants not accepted will be placed on a waiting list for possible acceptance depending on vacancies prior to the school year. Parents must accept or reject admission by June 12.