Special Classes  
              
Inclusion
         Inclusion is a program that has a specialized teacher working with students in the regular education classroom. These students have special needs which require accommodations and modifications to meet their individual needs. The inclusion teacher goes into the regular education fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classrooms daily for a set amount of time. Afterwards, the inclusion teacher consults with the regular education teacher to make sure the student's special needs are met and the child is successful.

                                                                Written by Jake Chapman
 
Enrichment
          Students in grades 1 through 8 may participate in the Keeping Education Exciting and Productive program (KEEP). This program option provides gifted students the opportunity to interact with students with other schools in the area on a regular basis at the KEEP center located at Woodlake Elementary. Gifted students attend the KEEP center two half days a week, generally once in the morning and once in the afternoon. While at the center, the student works collectively and independently on a wide range of content-based instructional activities. Teachers in the KEEP model evaluate students by means of progress reports, not by tests or homework assignments.

                                                                  Written by Jake Chapman
 
ESL
           ESL means English as a Second Language. ESL is a program that teaches English to students in kindergarten through 6th grade whose first language is not English. Also, ESL students learn about different cultures around the world. ESL is an informal program and everyone is on a different level. Ten schools send students to MMS's ESL class.

                                                                  Written by Ashleigh Bridges
   
 
Special Education
            Our special education staff helps students learn. They differentiate instruction to meet all the students' needs. The classes include resource classes, MAE classes, moderate/severe classes, inclusion classes, and gifted classes. These classes are used to help and challenge students to make their goals.

                                                                  Written by Austin Hart
 

The Gifted Program
                     Gifted students in grades Pre-K through 12 may choose to join the academic program that provides academic acceleration as well as academic enrichment. Forty-three schools across the parish house the academic model. In this model, gifted students select courses that reflect their strengths. Learning experiences develop creative thinking, critical thinking, affective learning, and research. A smaller class size not only allows for more individual attention but also makes it easier for students to become friends with one another.

                                                                                    Written by Abigail Lallande
 
Talented Music
              Louisiana is the only state that has talented music because the state believes that gifted and talented are different things. The classes are to help make young musicians better, and it is a chance for them to explore anything and everything about music. They get to train their ears for them to hear better, and in class the kids get to compose songs, write them, and read them. The kids listen to all kinds of music: music from the past and present, fun music, and from all around the globe. The kids also study rhythm. The students perform in magnificient concerts throughout the year.

                                                                    Written by Bryan Cass
   
 
Talented Drama
               Talented Drama is a fun program that allows kids with a knack for acting to get a chance to use their special skills. Their practices are usually about two hours long. During this time, talented drama students play warm-up games to develop skills that help them perform. They also learn plays and perform them, usually in front of a school. To get into Talented Drama, you must be recommended by a teacher. You will receive a packet for your parents to fill out in order to get permission. You will be tested at two different levels: parish and state. Talented Drama students need to be committed and know their parts to do a great job.

                                                                     Written by Abigail Lallande
 
Talented Art
                If you like art, try out for Talented Art. Talented Art is a fun program. To get into Talented Art, you need to collect 14 pieces of art for your portfolio. Then you will be tested by school, then by parish, and finally by state. Students may enter as early as kindergarten. You can draw, paint, and sculpt 2 - 3 dimensional figures. Students attend the Talented Art class for 2 hours a week.

                                                                       Written by Lauren Wethern