St. Martin Schools

Magnet Program

      To Create. To Improve. To Innovate.

 

Fueling Futures: Igniting Excellence, Celebrating Achievements - Going Full STEAM Ahead!

Beginning in the fall of 2023, the St. Martin Parish School System launched the Magnet Academies Program planning efforts. The Magnet Academies Program will serve as a bridge between parents, the community, and support the district's desegregation efforts. It will cultivate critical thinking, cultural awareness, and equip learners with the tools to navigate a diverse world. Magnet academies play a vital role in innovative educational practices by providing unique, themed Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) through fifth-grade programming, offering students, parents, and families diverse educational opportunities aligned with the desegregation efforts for the two designated magnet schools – the St. Martin Early STEAM Academy  "SMESA" (formerly named Early Learning Center “ELC”) and the St. Martin STEAM Academy "SMSA" (formerly named St. Martinville Primary “SMP”).

Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, the St. Martin Schools launched its unique STEAM magnet schools in order to provide students and families with amazing and unique education opportunities at the two St. Martinville schools. These whole-school STEAM-centered concept, incorporate an exploratory arts and science integration model. Students in grades Pre-K through 5 will be introduced to an exploratory, combined STEM and Arts-integrated ("STEAM") classroom model aligned with state guidelines. The new STEAM Academies will be launched in St. Martinville and open to all zoned and eligible M-to-M resident students of St. Martin Parish. The magnet program will be engaging, attractive, rigorous, and innovative, designed to provide a stimulating learning environment while also exposing students to diverse perspectives that will challenge them to become critical thinkers and productive citizens who are culturally responsive to the needs of others.

Please note that some information provided on this page, regarding the St. Martin Parish Magnet Academies’ two STEAM magnet schools, may slightly change due to ongoing court proceedings. All updates and program details are contingent upon final court approval. The website will be periodically updated to reflect any changes. The St. Martin Parish School System appreciate your understanding and patience. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the STEAM magnet schools and program offerings, please email magnet@saintmartinschools.org.

Summer 2024 NASA Astro Camp Event

STEAM Open House Virtual Tour

Scream the Theme: Beautifications and Renovations

VISION STATEMENT

The St. Martin Parish School System Magnet Academies, in partnership with all school community members, will be welcoming and nurturing environments that foster interaction and belonging among students of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Through unique, theme-based programming, the magnet academies will support students’ ability to thrive in their future academic and professional lives.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the St. Martin Parish School System Magnet Academies is to establish desegregated educational environments where every student excels and belongs. Driven by STEAM-themed instruction and elevated academic standards, our commitment is to actively foster engagement among students from diverse backgrounds. The St. Martin Parish School System Magnet Academies will create an inclusive learning community that celebrates and values diversity.

GOALS

The goal of the St. Martin Parish School District is to implement a magnet program that desegregates students in an engaging, attractive, rigorous, and innovative educational environment. To achieve the District’s mission and vision of redesigning two St. Martinville zone schools into STEAM magnet schools, the District will: 

I. Desegregation: Increase racial diversity amongst the student population by attracting students and families of different social, economic, and racial backgrounds through unique theme-based STEAM programming.

II. Academic Achievement: Support academic growth and success through a challenging and diverse learning environment that inspires and empowers all students to achieve their potential.

III. Professional Learning: Provide professional learning that empowers a racially diverse group of high-quality educators to excel in integrating magnet themes and positive behavioral interventions.

IV. Magnet Theme: Implement evidence-based, whole-school, integrated STEAM programs.

V. School Climate: Cultivate equitable, inclusive, and engaging magnet school cultures that are culturally responsive.

St. Martin Schools STEAM Academies

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) is a classroom-based teaching and learning approach combining science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math to guide student exploration, discussion, and problem-solving. The District's two new STEAM Academies are now located at Early Learning Center (ELC) and St. Martinville Primary (SMP) campuses, in St. Martinville. The program features a whole-school STEAM-centered concept, incorporating an exploratory arts and science integration model. Early learners in pre-K will be introduced to an exploratory, combined STEM and Arts-integrated, classroom model STEAM, integrated throughout their curriculum. Students in grades K through 5 will also have opportunities to engage in visual and graphic arts, music, and dance/drama. These options will be available during regular school hours, after school, and in the summer program. 

Our two new STEAM magnet schools are:

  • St. Martin Early STEAM Academy,  open to students in grades Pre-K through 1
  • St. Martin STEAM Academy, open to students in grades 2 through 5

The STEAM programming is designed to teach students at the magnet schools to experiment like scientists, produce with technology, build like engineers, create like artists, and solve problems like mathematicians. From engineers to astronauts, hurricane hunters to scientists, St. Martin STEAM Academies incorporate guest speakers and lectures into small classroom settings and whole-school presentations to enhance STEAM scholars' knowledge and interest. 

Eligibilty

All St. Martin Parish students residing within the M-to-M eligible zones (currently Cecilia Primary, Parks Primary, and Teche Elementary), who wish to enroll in the STEAM Magnet Academies will use an application submission process. The annual selection process will be open to any rising students in all grades served by the magnet schools. Available space for each grade level will be annually determined by school capacity, and existing enrollment projections (starting in year 2), and aligned with the District’s desegregation goals. Students in the St. Martinville zone do not need to apply to be selected into the magnet school and are automatically admitted to the school, per District zoning policy. Zoned students who wish to enroll in the magnet schools should register through the District’s general registration process.

All students enrolling in the magnet schools will have access to all educational opportunities, including curricular, extracurricular, after-school, and summer programming on an equitable and free basis.

Eligibility for M-to-M Preference

Students whose race is in the majority at the school they attend (i.e., Parks Primary, Cecilia Primary, Teche Elementary) who wish to transfer to the St. Martin Early STEAM Academy or St. Martin STEAM Academy where their race is in the minority, will be eligible for admission under Tier 1 priority. Students from other M-to-M identified zones within St. Martin Parish, such as those enrolled in charter or private schools, or who are homeschooled, will be eligible for priority consideration if they meet the requirements of the District's M-to-M transfer policyAll students residing in the ELC or SMP zones, but currently not attending the schools, will be granted admission to the two magnet schools per District zone policies. 

Application Process and Timeline

The application process is designed to achieve the District’s desegregation goals and promote racially diverse campuses, utilizing a priority-based selection process as outlined in the Court Order. The application period each year runs from the first day of the Spring semester to May 1 and does not require any special academic, behavioral, or other enrollment criteria for prospective or current students. If May 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the application period will close at 4:30 p.m. on the following Monday. The magnet school application period will run concurrently with the district's current Majority-to-Minority (M-to-M) application and transfer process, starting on the first day of the Spring semester each year. Beginning one month before the close of applications, a weekly reminder message will be sent through the District’s parent portal system to the email and phone number on file for all families in the District, notifying them that applications will be closing on May 1.

Each application will be reviewed for completion and accuracy beginning the first week of February of each year. Parents will be notified by email and follow-up phone calls to correct any missing or inaccurate information on the applications. Magnet Academies staff are available to assist parents and/or guardians and families at recruitment events and at the magnet office with the application completion and submission. Applications can be submitted to any school in the St. Martin Parish School System or by email and/or text to magnet@saintmartinschools.org.

Acceptance and Continued Enrollment

Applications will be reviewed for completion, accuracy, and eligibility beginning the first week of February of each year. Parents and/or guardians will be notified by email and follow-up phone calls to correct any missing or inaccurate information on the applications. Acceptance notifications will be sent one (1) week after the close of applications each year (e.g., approximately May 8). Parents and/or guardians will be notified of acceptance by phone calls to the phone number on file, by email through the application selection software, and paper notices will be mailed to the address on file and sent home with students if they are enrolled in district schools. Parents and/or guardians will have three (3) weeks to accept (e.g., May 29) placement. Parents and/or guardians can accept via the application portal directly or through returning a paper acceptance to any district school. If students are offered enrollment and do not accept, they will be placed on the waitlist once the acceptance deadline has passed. Seats that remain open will be filled first by waitlisted applicants who match the racial demographics of the initial acceptance.

Once a student is enrolled, they will not need to reapply for the following years. Students attending St. Martin Early STEAM Academy for grade 1 will automatically be enrolled in grade 2 at the St. Martin STEAM Academy campus. Students attending Pre-K at the St. Martin Early STEAM Academy will automatically be enrolled in Kindergarten at the same magnet school.

Priorities

Aligned with the Consent Order, the District will implement a priority-tiered process, described below, to select students for enrollment in the two schools. If student demand exceeds capacity, this same priority system will apply to constitute a waitlist for students who apply but are not offered a spot to enroll. Applicants in each tier will be exhausted before considering students in the next tier. M-to-M eligible students will not be denied acceptances; however, may be placed on a waitlist until space is available. Students currently attending or zoned for St. Martin Early STEAM Academy and St. Martin STEAM Academy will be guaranteed automatic admission to the new whole-school magnet programs. Remaining seats in each grade level will be allocated by using tiers as follows, in order of priority consideration:

  1. Students who qualify for a Majority-to-Minority (M-to-M) transfer in accordance with district M-to-M policy. 
    1. Siblings of enrolled M-to-M magnet school students returning the following school year and M-to-M families applying together in the same application season will receive priority under the Tier 1 rule.
  2. Children of employees at St. Martin Early STEAM Academy and St. Martin STEAM Academy.
  3. Students who reside outside of the St. Martinville zone and who do not qualify for Tier 1 or Tier 2. 

Details for Tier 3 eligibility will be updated soon. Please continue to check back for updates or contact magnet@saintmartinschools.org with any questions. 

Siblings

Siblings of students who are enrolled or admitted through the enrollment process would automatically be given priority within each tier. For example, if a student is attending the magnet academies via M-to-M and their younger sibling becomes old enough to apply for the Early STEAM Academy, this applicant would have priority over other M-to-M applicants. If one sibling was admitted to Tier 1, then their siblings would be immediately given priority to be next considered for admission. Sibling preference applies to students who submit applications by the application deadline. Parents requesting sibling priority must provide documentation to the Magnet Academies office. The District recognizes siblings as any brothers and/or sisters by blood, adoption, marriage, or permanent court-appointed guardianship who reside at the same address

Waitlist

In the event that the Magnet Academy program applications exceed the capacity of the schools each year, the application selection software will create an automated waitlist process based on priority. It will be activated to offer admissions to racially matched students on the waitlist as space becomes available. The District may also expand the schools’ physical buildings or increase the student-to-teacher ratio to accommodate enrollment that exceeds capacity. In the event that a large number of students enroll after the first day of school, requiring a new grade-level section, the District will hire another teacher to accommodate students aligned with the 18-to-one student-teacher ratio. No M-to-M eligible students will be denied acceptance due to capacity issues, but they may be waitlisted while the District determines how best to accommodate enrollment that exceeds capacity.

Enrollment Post-Acceptance and Late Entry

The St. Martin Parish School System considers student attendance and academic continuity crucial to student success. Therefore, for students enrolling via M-to-M transfer, they must be enrolled at the respective magnet school within two (2) weeks of the start of the new school yearStudents enrolling in the District mid-year, and who qualify for M-to-M transfer options, will be granted immediate acceptance to the magnet schools upon successfully completing the application, unless there is a waitlist; these waitlisted student(s) will be placed on the existing waitlist accordingly.  Students not currently enrolled in the district and who are not zoned for either of the two magnet schools must follow the District’s current school M-to-M transfer policy. 

 Magnet Academies Withdrawal

St Martin Parish School System recognizes students may need to withdraw from the STEAM schools for various reasons throughout the year. For auditing purposes, parents and/or guardians will be asked to complete a magnet program withdrawal survey form to provide the District with important feedback and the reason for the withdrawal as listed below.

A. Majority-to-Minority Withdrawals (M-to-M): Students attending either of the two schools through M-to-M transfer shall follow the District’s M-to-M withdrawal process, which requires students to remain at the current schools of enrollment through the end of the school year unless there is an extenuating circumstance. Zoned Black students may also use the M-to-M transfer to eligible schools during the annual M-to-M transfer window.

B. District Exits: While it is the preference for students to remain in their school of enrollment for the duration of a school year to maintain the continuum of quality education, the District understands some students may move out of the parish or enroll in private or charter schools. Students leaving the District shall follow the District’s exit process found on the District’s website.

Magnet Re-Entry: In accordance with school board policy, students zoned for either of the magnet schools will receive priority placement upon returning and will not be waitlisted. If a previous magnet student who is not zoned to the school would like to return to one of the magnet schools, parents and/or guardians will need to submit a new application. Students returning after exiting the magnet program will be accepted according to priority tiers. Once a school is at enrollment capacity, all returning students not zoned to the school will be placed on a waitlist.

 Transportation

All students enrolled in the magnet schools will receive free, guaranteed door-to-door bus transportation. M-to-M students and other non-zoned magnet students will be provided parish-wide bus transportation to and from other attendance zones in St. Martin Schools, using the same door-to-door transportation routing system as other schools. Zoned students will continue to receive transportation according to the District’s zoned transportation routing. Additionally, free transportation will be provided to all students who participate in regular school, regular aftercare, after-school enrichment clubs, and summer extracurricular programs using door-to-door transportation. 

Transportation requests may be submitted directly to each magnet school of enrollment, by indicating transportation requested on the transfer application for non-zoned students, the regular aftercare/STEAM enrichment club application, or by completing the magnet transportation request form (link to form opens in new window). Parents and/or guardians can also contact the Magnet Academies office by email at magnet@saintmartinschools.org.

Application Portal

Applications for admission to our two prestigious STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) magnet schools are now live! Our STEAM magnet schools offer a dynamic learning environment where creativity, innovation, and critical thinking are fostered. Students engage in hands-on projects, collaborate with peers, and explore real-world challenges under the guidance of dedicated educators passionate about STEAM education. 

Applying to our STEAM magnet schools is easy! Simply click on the link below to access our online application portal. We encourage all interested parents and guardians to submit their applications by July 15, 2024. 

APPLY ONLINE HERE

Parents and/or guardians can also download a paper application and email or text magnet@stmartinschools.org. For convenience, applications can also be dropped off at the school board office or at any school in the District. 

Download a paper application here

*NOTE: Students currently zoned for Early Learning Center (ELC) and St. Martinville Primary (SMP) will automatically be accepted into the academies as first priority. Students eligible for M-to-M transfer, per district policy, will be granted priority and no student shall be denied due to capacity. 

STEAM Magnet Academies Program and Schools Contact Information

Magnet Academies Program Department Personnel

Dr. Jon Downs, Magnet Coordinator

jon_downs@saintmartinschools.org

Azi Yazdi, Marketing Coordinator

azadeh_yazdi@saintmartinschools.org

 

Early STEAM Academy (Early Learning Center)

Erin Gray, Principal

erin_gray@saintmartinschools.org

Jessica Wiltz, Assistant Principal

jessica_wiltz@saintmartinschools.org

Website

smesa.saintmartinschools.org/

 

STEAM Academy (St. Martinville Primary)

Erica Pitre, Principal

erica_pitre@saintmartinschools.org

Alyson David,  Assistant Principal

alyson_david@saintmartinschools.org

Website

smsa.saintmartinschools.org

 

Forms and Resources

Open Houses and Information Sessions

Beginning in January each year, the Magnet Academies staff will be available at the district's M-to-M transfer information sessions to provide important magnet school information for interested families of M-to-M eligible students. Beginning February each year and throughout the year, the District will provide at several open house events at the magnet schools and other K-12 schools in the parish to better introduce programs and schools in an informal setting. This will allow prospective students and families to interact with current students and parents to learn first-hand the impact and opportunities available through the Magnet Program. Efforts will be made to conduct tours in small groups during the day to allow for ongoing conversations regarding the magnet program with educators and students from the schools serving as guides. Additional virtual information sessions will begin in November each year to provide parents and/or guardians alternative options to obtain information and ask staff questions related to the magnet schools.

Scheduled Tours

Parents and families can schedule tours of the magnet schools by contacting each school's front office or by emailing the Magnet Academies program office at magnet@saintmartinschools.org. Community partners and Advisory Board members can also schedule tours through the Magnet Coordinator in accordance with the District’s visitor policy. In addition to open houses, tours will be available to prospective families from the date they are notified of their selection until the enrollment acceptance deadline. These scheduled tours will be offered for newly selected students in May, during the last week of school, and will be available in the evenings or on weekends so that all parents and new students can learn about their prospective magnet school.

Magnet and Desegregation Plan

The U.S. District Court has entered an order in the District's desegregation case which includes changes in the Catahoula, St. Martinville, Parks, and Breaux Bridge attendance zones as well as improvements in the Majority-to-Minority transfer program, among other things. On January 8, 2024, the District submitted a revised Magnet Implementation Plan (click on the link below to view), and is in the process of working with the Plaintiff Parties to revise the plan for final submission to the Court. 

SMPSB Magnet Schools Plan (January 2024 submission)

*Please be advised the information in the plan above is not final, as dates and curriculum information may have changed during the revision process. Please contact magnet@saintmartinschools.org for more information. 

SMPSB Magnet Schools Proposal (September 2023 draft version submitted to the Court)

Magnet Implementation Plan Hearing and Court Submission Dates:

January 4, 2024: Submitted the Revised Magnet Implementation Plan

January 18-23, 2024: Public hearing on the Revised Magnet Implementation Plan submitted on January 4, 2024

January 25, 2024: Oral Decision from the Court

February 26, 2024: Status Conference Hearing 

*Hearing on the final Magnet Implementation Plan to be determined by Court.

April 15, 2024: Revised Magnet Implementation Plan submitted to the Court.

May 24, 2024: Oral Decision from the Court on Revised Magnet Implementation Plan submitted. The Court authorized the opening of the two magnet schools for the Fall 2024. 

July 15, 2024: Revised Magnet Implementation Plan submitted for consideration.

October 7, 2024: Additional revisions made to the Revised Magnet Implementation Plan and status update provided to the Court.

 

Renovation and Beautification Updates

Renovation Updates

April 2024 Phase 1 Video St. Martin Early STEAM Academy (video opens in new browser)

April 2024 Phase 1 Video St. Martin STEAM Academy (video opens in new browser)

May 2024 Phase 2 Video St. Martin Early STEAM Academy (video opens in new browser)

May 2024 Phase 2 Video St. Martin STEAM Academy (video opens in new browser)

On April 16, 2024, the Magnet Academies program launched a community survey to establish logos and mascots for the two new STEAM magnet schools set to open in the 2024-2025 school year. By May 6, the District had unveiled the two new mascots and logos. The input from the community was invaluable as the St. Martin Parish School System Magnet Academies Program team worked to create identities that reflected the vision and spirit of these unique magnet opportunities. Five different logo sets were presented, and the feedback played a crucial role in determining the final designs. The two new mascots, both tiger-themed, represented the progression from early learning through to high school, showcasing a unified visual identity that inspired and symbolized the commitment to STEAM education. 

Copy of the 5 logo sets presented to the public

Final logos selected by the community

 

 

 

 

Calendar of Magnet Events

November 2024
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sunday, October 27
Monday, October 28
Tuesday, October 29
Wednesday, October 30
Thursday, October 31
Friday, November 1
Saturday, November 2
Sunday, November 3
Monday, November 4
Tuesday, November 5
Wednesday, November 6
Thursday, November 7
Friday, November 8
Saturday, November 9
Sunday, November 10
Monday, November 11
Tuesday, November 12
Wednesday, November 13
Magnet Academies Virtual Information Session
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Virtual Zoom Session
Thursday, November 14
Friday, November 15
Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17
Monday, November 18
Tuesday, November 19
Wednesday, November 20
Thursday, November 21
Friday, November 22
Saturday, November 23
Sunday, November 24
Monday, November 25
Tuesday, November 26
Wednesday, November 27
Thursday, November 28
Friday, November 29
Saturday, November 30

Calendar & Category Legend:

  • Magnet Academies