PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Minden-South Webster Parish public schools are fortunate to have one of the best school systems in the state. Since 2002, the school board has completed multi-million dollar construction projects on five new schools and completed parish-wide renovations and additional projects to its remaining 10 schools. In addition, over the past several years, voters approved construction of facilities to better accommodate elementary and middle school students. Currently, Minden High School is undergoing a multi-million dollar construction project which will include a state of the art athletic field house and multi-purpose facility to better fit the needs of students at the school. Minden voter support has made this a possibility and the school community will experience the benefits of this project for years to come.
In the past several years, the graduation rate for Webster Parish schools has increased from 69.3 percent to 83 percent, above the state graduation rate of 82 percent and tied with the national graduation rate of 83 percent.
Minden High School continues to foster strong partnerships with multiple post-secondary institutions to provide career readiness options for students with varying interests. The implementation of the Jump Start program allows students to begin career focuses in the areas of Emergency Medicine, Business Management, Welding, Carpentry, Computer Information and Public Service. Students who wish to begin college coursework during high school have the opportunity to take classes from Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana State University-Shreveport and Bossier Parish Community College. The wide-range of academic offerings for students are a main focus, and local schools are committed to further exploring additional options for all students.
Jump Start students taking classes through NLTCC do so on the J.E. Harper Pathways to Excellence Center campus.
The Webster Parish School Board (WPSB) offers Honors programs in all Minden elementary, middle and junior high classrooms and has expanded Honors programs into the northern and southern ends of the parish, depending upon the size of school.
Technology has been a focus over the past few years with upgrades to an all Fiber Wide Area Network and high speed Fiber Internet Access. The WPSB has also upgraded the internal infrastructure of all schools to include high speed managed switches and wireless access points in every classroom. These accomplishments have been made possible by leveraging funding from the E-Rate program and other available funding sources. Technology improvements continue to be important to the WPSB as it plans to spend available funds on additional devices to assist with the needs of schools around computer-based testing.
Webster Parish School System remains the parish’s largest employer with close to 400 teachers, almost 50 administrators (including superintendent, board members, supervisors, coordinators, principals and assistant principals) and more than 350 support staff personnel totaling more than 800 on payroll and a total of 15 schools in the parish, four of which are high schools.
In Louisiana, students can qualify for TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) and receive tuition reimbursement by meeting the state-mandated requirements as outlined in www.osfa. la.gov/schgrt6.htm.
PRIVATE SCHOOL
The vision of Glenbrook School is to provide students with a complete education and to prepare them for college and life. The Glenbrook administration, faculty, and staff promote the development of the total child: academically through a balanced college-preparatory program; socially through leadership opportunities, extracurricular activities, and community service; and physically through complete physical education and athletic programs. Moreover, the school recognizes the responsibility it shares with the home in the development of ethical and moral values.
Glenbrook School is a kindergarten through twelfth grade private school that embodies a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. Glenbrook’s teachers are certified by the State of Louisiana and the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools. Glenbrook School holds accreditation through three accrediting agencies: Louisiana State Department of Education, Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
The college preparatory curriculum of Glenbrook School provides each student with the content area courses required for the Louisiana State Department‘s Core 4 and the TOPS curriculums. Students at Glenbrook School are taught self-reliance through critical thinking — not merely through the accumulation of facts. College credit (dual enrollment) is offered to students through a partnership with Bossier Parish Community College, Louisiana TECH University, and Northwestern State University.
Through membership in clubs and organizations, Glenbrook School encourages community service and volunteerism opportunities with organizations such as Special Olympics, Minden St. Jude Telethon and Auction, Veterans Day Program, UCAP, and local food banks. Glenbrook School also provides students with the opportunity to serve others abroad through mission trips to Nicaragua. Enrichment opportunities are also provided to each student in grades kindergarten through sixth. Students attend structured music classes and art classes. All students receive instruction in computer technology and the Spanish language. Glenbrook School teachers provide a variety of opportunities for students to learn “outside the classroom” through day field trips and overnight field trips.
Glenbrook’s outstanding athletic program includes sports activities ranging from football to tennis to weight training to baseball and softball. The athletic program has culminated in several state championships. In addition, the elementary physical education program and the elementary athletic program provide structured activities that prepare students to participate in varsity sports.
Glenbrook School is now offering extended day care for students grades K-8 immediately after school until 6:00 p.m. In this time, children are given a snack, directed homework help, opportunities for Accelerated Reading as well as many other enrichment activities such as art, science, computers, and visits from special guests.
If you would like to take a tour of Glenbrook School, please call 318-377-2135 to make a request.