La. Public Residential School Opens First Residence Hall

The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (LSMSA), a Blue-Ribbon boarding school for high-school students located in Natchitoches, La., opened its first on-campus residence hall this week. The 110,000-square-foot Living Learning Commons (LLC) will house 360 students from 41 of the state’s 64 parishes, according to local news. The school graduated its first class in 1985, but until now, the school has partnered with adjacent Northwestern State University to house students in two university facilities, Caddo Hall and Prudhomme Hall.

“They’re excited,” said LSMSA executive director Dr. Steve Horton. “I think the ones who lived in Caddo and Prudhomme are probably the most excited because they knew what they had before and what they’re moving to.”

LSMSA’s agreement with NSU was originally supposed to be temporary. The five-year agreement turned into more than 35 due to a lack of funding, according to a news release. The school broke ground on a residence hall of its own in 2019 thanks to $25 million from the State of Louisiana, according to a news release.

LSMSA Living Learning Commons
Photo Credit: Tipton Associates

The four-story facility is made up of three towers: Caddo for girls, Prudhomme for boys and Bossier as an overflow tower that will alternate each year. Amenities include a fully stocked kitchen, game room and a commons area on every floor. Changes from the previous living situation include a flat-rate student fee for laundry instead of coin-operated machines, as well as decreasing the occupancy of each suite area from six to four.

The LLC was jointly designed by Ashe Broussard Weinzettle and Tipton Associates. The general contractor was Ratliff Companies.

Horton took distinct pride in the school’s newfound independence. “We’re our own campus,” he said. “We are now just proudly adjacent to the Northwestern campus.”

He also credited the long-overdue construction to Governor John Bel Edwards. “They saw what the students were living in. I think they realized that the state owed this population what was promised to them 30 years ago and saw fit to find the money to fund this dream that’s been in place—and a plan that’s been in process—for a very long time,” said Horton.

LSMSA is a public, residential high school for students in grades 10–12.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Midland ISD Starts Construction on Two New High Schools

    The Midland Independent School District recently announced that it will break ground on two new high schools in Midland, Texas, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects, Lee Lewis Construction, and Satterfield & Pontikes to create a total of over 1.5 million square feet for 8,400 students in grades 9–12.

  • University of Kentucky Stormwater Harvesting System Receives Award

    The Utilities and Energy Management team from the University of Kentucky recently received a Grand Award at the 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards, according to a university news release. The award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kentucky was for the university’s Central Utility Plant (CUP) Stormwater Harvesting System, which activated in fall 2023.

  • K–12 Safety Trends Report Reveals Reliance on Training, Technology

    Wearable safety technology provider CENTEGIX recently released its 2025 School Safety Trends Report, according to a news release. The report is based on more than 265,000 incidents during the 2024–25 school year as reported through the CENTEGIX Safety Platform, used by more than 800 school districts across the U.S.

  • Creating a First and Lasting Impression with Thoughtful, Sustainable Design

    Clemson University’s Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center serves as the new front door to campus, anchoring the Tiger experience through each step in the student journey.

Digital Edition