The St Mary Parish School System believes that all children should have an equal access to a meaningful education, regardless of their national origin or their home language.  In compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Opportunity Act of 1974, and the State of Louisiana, Bulletin 1851 with respect to the education of the language minority students who are English learners (EL), it is the responsibility of the St. Mary Parish School System to ensure that the instruction conducted in their schools meets the unique needs of language minority students, both students who are new arrivals, and those who, though born in the United States, are brought up in an environment where a language other than English is dominant.  

The goal of the EL program is to ensure that EL students attain English proficiency, develop high levels of academic achievement in English, and make adequate yearly progress. The parish has in place a system that provides for the identification, assessment, placement, and instruction of EL students. All students with a primary language or home language other than English, as identified on the Home Language Survey at the time of their initial enrollment, will be assessed to determine proficiency in the English language.  The information gathered will be used in placement and the planning of instructional programs. 

Any person with questions or concerns about the education of EL students should contact the Title III EL Instructional Specialist at (337) 836-1767.

Updated 06/14/2022
Christina Harrison