Southfield School is a private, independent, coeducational day school for students in preschool through grade eight. The mission of Southfield School is to develop a lifelong love of learning.

The School provides a challenging educational opportunity for students of average to exceptional ability. Sound character, a willingness to accept responsibility for one's own actions, and a level of motivation sufficient to ensure a reasonable likelihood of success in a demanding academic program are essential. Southfield School seeks and accepts students for admission without regard to sex, race, color, religion or ethnic origin.

Southfield's campus can be found at 1100 Southfield Road, one block north of Pierremont Avenue, between Fairfield and Southern Avenues. We are located in the South Highland's neighborhood, about two blocks from both I-49 and Line Avenue.

The Southfield motto, "non sibi, sed ipsi," reminds us that we study and learn for the sake of learning, not for lesser or selfish motives.

Southfield School is the only local school accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS). You can learn more about other Independent schools and the ISAS accrediting standards by visiting www.isasw.org. The Southfield Preschool program has the added distinction of being the only Shreveport preschool accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Less than 10% of preschools nationwide meet the standards for NAEYC accreditation. For more information about NAEYC standards visit www.naeyc.org. Southfield is also licensed by the Louisiana State Department of Education.

Accreditation through ISAS and NAEYC involves a rigorous evaluation process that includes self-study, annual reporting and visiting teams of professionals. The process insures that we operate under the highest standards in all aspects of the school and that we hold ourselves to the standards of the finest independent schools throughout the nation. This process also supports and encourages communication and professional development between member schools. Southfield is committed to the accreditation process and received its first formal accreditation from ISAS in 1968 and has maintained it since that time.

ISAS currently accredits over 75 of the leading independent schools in the region stretching from Louisiana to Arizona. Included in this group are schools generally recognized as among the finest in the country such as Isadore Newman in New Orleans, The Hockaday School in Dallas, Kinkaid in Houston, and Phoenix Country Day. Southfield is the only school in Northern Louisiana to hold this prestigious accreditation. Southfield is currently undergoing a rigorous self-evaluation in preparation for a reaccreditation visit scheduled for this October.

Our Preschool holds an additional accreditation from the NAEYC. First awarded in 1993, it has been renewed three times, the most recent being a Merit Extension granted in 2002. Southfield is one of less than 10% of preschools in the nation which hold this exemplary accreditation. Southfield completed all phases of the NAEYC evaluation for reaccreditation when a team of organization professionals visited in May 2007.

Southfield School is a member of the National Association of Independent School (NAIS) and the National Association of Middle Schools (NAMS)

Dress Code

Southfield students are not required to wear school uniforms. School shirts are encouraged for field trips and school-wide events. Shirts and other school-themed items are available through the Parents' Association sponsored Spirit Shop which is open during the first week of school and when new students enroll.  There is a school dress code in the Parent and Student Handbook (available for review in our Publications section of the website.)

The 2010-11 tuition for full-time, half-day preschool students is $5376 and $8454 for full-day kindergarten students. Lower school tuition is $8946 and middle school tuition is $9556. A deposit of $400 is due for all students when enrollment contracts are returned each year. The deposit is applied toward tuition and is non-refundable.  The school used the SMART Tuition system for billing.  This gives parents many payment option choices.

Tuition assistance is available to students in Kindergarten through 8th grades and is awarded on the basis of need. A student must be admitted to Southfield before any financial aid decision can be made. A separate application for financial aid must be submitted and is then evaluated by an outside firm called "School and Student Service for Financial Aid." This process is completely confidential.

The educational program at Southfield is designed to promote a lifelong love of learning through an approach that is grounded in the traditions of an independent liberal arts school. From its inception Southfield has offered a balanced approach to education, always placing the academic core subjects at the center of the student experience, while also providing for ample enrichment opportunities and a wide variety of participatory options. The core subjects for all students include language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Enrichment opportunities include foreign language, visual arts, drama, music, physical education, and technology.

The essential design of the school is by division. The Preschool contains multiple Preschool Discovery and Preschool Readiness classes, both of which are on a half-day basis, as well as two sections of a full-day Kindergarten program. The Lower School encompasses first through fourth grades, with two sections of each housed in adjacent buildings. First through third grade are self contained while fourth grade is departmentalized. The Middle School serves fifth through eighth grades. The Middle School in it's a separate two-story facility which includes two science labs and a modern technology center.

The philosophy of the Southfield preschool program is based on the belief that children are individuals with unique personalities. Understanding that most young children develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and creatively through similar natural stages and that each child has his/her own timetable for development, preschool teachers strive to make the classroom environments and activities developmentally appropriate. Young children are offered the opportunity to learn about their world through concrete, sensory experiences that are stimulating and challenging.

A child's day in preschool is scheduled to include periods of small group instruction, whole group activities, individual choice, and outdoor play. Preschool children receive instruction in EveryDay Math (Readiness and kindergarten) and the Open Court Reading Program (kindergarten) as well as from specialist teachers in Music (Discovery, Readiness, and kindergarten), PE (kindergarten), Art (kindergarten), French (Readiness 4 and kindergarten) and computer (kindergarten). In addition, all classes visit the library weekly. The classes attend school assemblies where appropriate and are part of special programs such as Field Day, flag ceremonies, holiday programs and Civilization Fair.

Lower school students receive instruction in language arts (Open Court Reading Program), reading, mathematics (University of Chicago EveryDay Math Program), social studies, science, and drama from the homeroom teacher at each grade level, and in music, art, French, library, computer, technology and physical education from specialists. Age appropriate integrated projects and annual grade level musicals enhance and enrich a purposeful academic program. The progress of the individual student is monitored closely by the classroom teacher and Associate Headmaster. The teacher will notify parents of significant developments between formal reporting periods, and of course parents should call if there are any questions.

The middle school curriculum includes an in-depth study of the core curriculum: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language. As well as gaining a solid foundation in core curriculum, students find their intellectual horizons broadened through "exploratory courses" that include drama, art, creative writing, fencing, computer technology usage, French, Spanish, and ethics. In addition, students may choose from several weekly club activities that may include; recycling, MathCounts, chess, holiday crafts and fencing.

Guest speakers, academic competitions, publications and a variety of educational trips provide additional enrichment opportunities. Integrated within this rigorous academic program is an emphasis on communication skills (both oral and written), critical thinking skills, and a focus on understanding, valuing, and displaying character and good citizenship.

The academic year at Southfield is structured on the quarter system and generally follows the Caddo Parish school calendar for opening and closing dates as well as major holidays.

The faculty to student ratio in Southfield's youngest classes are; 2:14 in the Preschool Discovery and 2:14 in the Preschool Readiness classes, and 2:20 in the kindergarten classes. In the preschool division, each class has a lead teacher and full-time assistant teacher. In first grade the faculty to student ratio is 1.5:20 with two classes sharing an assistant teacher. The faculty to student ratio is 1:20 beginning in Southfield's second grade through eighth grade classrooms. Each grade level beginning with kindergarten has two classes with approximately 40 students in each grade.

Student enrollment at Southfield is approximately 450 students in preschool through grade 8.

Southfield uses testing and assessment tools which are normed against National standards and averages rather than state standards and averages.

Students in grades one through seven take Stanford Standardized Achievement Tests and second, fifth and seventh graders take the Otis Lennon School Achievement Tests in March each year. These tests measure student performance using national norms and indicate the progress of individuals in areas such as language arts, reading comprehension and mathematics.

Parents are notified well in advance of the upcoming tests so that they can make sure their child gets a restful night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast. The results of the SAT's are mailed with report cards to parents in early June.

Eighth grade students take the state mandated LEAP 21 tests in language arts and mathematics in March each year. Students must pass this test to be promoted to the next grade in a public high school.

The School participates in the Duke University Talent Identification (TIP) program in fifth and seventh grades. Generally between 60 and 70 percent of student qualify to participate based on scores in the 90th to 95th percentile, nationally, on specified Stanford 10 standardized tests.

Kindergarten and preschool assessments happen in many ways, as are appropriate for young children. Kindergarten students receive a written skills evaluation twice each year; preschool students receive written developmental evaluations each spring. In addition, teachers use math and language assessments at prescribed intervals during the year to determine student progress. Finally, teachers use daily, on-going, informal assessments (including interviews, questionnaires, checklists, observations, and examples of children's actual classroom work) to assess student progress and guide curriculum planning. All individual assessment results are confidential and shared only with parents or, with permission from the parents, other professionals they and the teacher designate.

Report cards are sent home four times a year at the end of each nine-week grading period. Students also bring home a folder with graded work on a weekly basis. Grades 1-3 use the following grading key:

1. Exemplary progress and performance
2. Developing appropriately, progressing well
3. Requiring additional support, experiencing difficulty

Grade 4 uses letter grades A, B, C, D, and F. Letter grades are explained to the students and their parents at the beginning of the year.

Conferences between parents and teachers are scheduled for all students at the end of the first and third quarters. Students do not attend school on these days. It is a time for parents and teachers to discuss their child's progress. Parents are discouraged from taking family vacations/trips on conference dates. Open communication is welcome and encouraged between parents and teachers about home and school child rearing policies. Additional conferences may be scheduled at any time, and informal contacts via notes, teacher voice mail, or by phone are always welcome.

In the Middle School student progress is reported in several ways. Interim reports are also sent home at the halfway point of each nine-week marking period. The purpose of the interim report is to inform the students and their parents of their progress up to that date in the marking period. Every nine-week marking period, grades are sent home in a folder. In the first and third quarters, the grades will be followed by parent/student/teacher conferences. In the second and fourth quarters the grades will include written comments from each academic subject teacher. Parents are required to return the signed folder to school after viewing the grades. In addition, fifth grade students take home folders of work at the interim and nine week grading periods to share with their parents. Grades 5-8 use the following grading system:

Conferences are scheduled for all students at the end of the first and third quarters. Students do not attend school on these days. Beginning in Middle School, students attend the conference with their parents. It is a time for parents, teachers and students to share a discussion about the child's progress. Parents are discouraged from taking family vacations/trips on conference dates. Open communication is welcome and encouraged between parents and teachers about home and school child rearing policies. Additional conferences may be scheduled at any time, and informal contacts via notes, teacher voice mail, or by phone are encouraged and always welcome.

Extended Day for three and four-year-old Discovery and Readiness students begins at noon. This is a less structured time for preschoolers. They eat lunch, play on the preschool playground, socialize with friends, and rest. Pickup options are 1:30, 3:00, 3:45, 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. Preschoolers have their own room and playground for Extended Day. Contracts are available by semester. Drop-in service is available as space permits, but only with advance notice.

Southfield's after school program for first through eighth grade students opens daily when the final bell rings. After school care is available by semester contract for one to five days a week. Students may reserve a place for the whole year or the semester. Semester contract forms are available at the front office. Drop-in service for the after school program is not available.

There are several opportunities for students to engage in sporting activities through programs associated with Southfield School. The school sponsored Middle School teams include basketball, tennis, golf and fencing. Southfield students also have the opportunity to participate in a joint private school football team. The Jets Alliance football team is comprised of students from five local private schools and competes with both local and regional schools.

For younger students, coaches help parents to form teams made up primarily of Southfield students to play in the citywide leagues and offer our facility for practices. The physical education coaches assist in coordinating the overall program. Students are expected to abide by the school's code of conduct when participating in athletic activities.

Southfield Middle School has a cheerleading squad that supports our middle school boys' and girls' sports teams. The girls must be in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade, maintain at least a 'C' average, and must participate in practices, games, pep rallies, and flag ceremonies.

Piano, violin, cello, guitar and voice lessons are available at Southfield through private instructors and Southfield Suzuki Strings, Shreveport's only satellite program of the Centenary College Suzuki School. Centenary College's Piano Preparatory Program is also a partner with Southfield School for private piano instruction through this program. Lesson times may be coordinated with each child's teacher to fit into the school day.

Eagle Singers is a middle school choral group. It is open to any sixth through eighth grade student who would like to be a part of the group. The Eagle Singers sing at flag ceremony, the Holiday Program, Fine Arts Festival, and Honors Day. They also visit a retirement home in December to sing seasonal carols and songs.

An annual musical production is performed by the 7th and 8th grades in the state of the art Margaret Shaffer Dickson theater. In addition to performing in the main character roles, students serve as chorus members and stagehands, working backstage on props or lighting. Recent productions include Disney's "Aladdin," and "101 Dalmatians," as well as classics like "Oklahoma" and "Fiddler on the Roof."

The Middle School Student Council is the middle school's student governing body. The group is made up of two elected class representatives from fifth and sixth grades, and three elected class representatives from seventh and eighth grades. The elected members work throughout the year on projects to benefit the school and the community.

The Southfield yearbook The Eyrie is produced by Mrs. Stacey Hand and a staff of senior student volunteers. Members of the staff take pictures as well as coordinate the collection of photos from teachers. Parents are invited to submit photos they have taken during the school year for possible inclusion in the yearbook, and they may also purchase yearbook sponsorships in the fall to offset cost of production. The Yearbook preparation is accomplished by the advisor and staff members.

Individual school pictures are made in the fall, spring portraits during the second semester, and class group photos are scheduled in March. The yearbook covers the entire school year from August to May. It is published and distributed to students before dismissal in May. Each student enrolled at Southfield automatically receives a yearbook since the cost is included in the student fees.

Local and Ark-La-Tex field trips are organized for every grade level throughout the school. These trips are considered to be an integral part of our educational program and they are to embrace an extension of the rules, procedures and guidelines of Southfield School. The eighth grade Louisiana History trip is required for all seniors. Parents should ensure that they have completed and submitted the relevant permission slips allowing their child to participate in a field trip off campus. Parents will always be notified well in advance of any planned field trips.

Philanthropy and service to the community are encouraged as part of Southfield's intrinsic character education program. Individual classes in the Preschool and Lower School divisions choose a small community related project each year, and at the Middle School students choose a "signature" project for the year. Since 2004, middle school students have supported Prime Time at Southfield for families from the Providence House. Prime Time is an award winning literacy program developed to encourage reading skills for the entire family. Students in fifth through eighth grade take turns volunteering to sponsor a Prime Time night event.

Southfield School provides a cafeteria-style lunch program for our students. Lunch menu information and order forms will be sent home around the middle of each month, to be returned to the front office in time for the order forms to be processed. The lunch program is being directed and operated by Southfield parents. The lunches are reasonably priced and there is a varied menu from which to choose. Each lunch cycle starts on the first day of each month and ends at the end of each month. The lunch program is optional: children may bring their own lunches, and microwave ovens are available to students in grades two through eight.

A nutritious snack is provided every day for preschool and kindergarten children. Each snack time includes a fruit or dairy product. An effort is made to limit foods high in sugar content. Snack menus are posted outside each classroom. Weekly cooking experiences often introduce children to new foods, and serve as their snack for that day.

Preschool students who will be staying for any portion of the Extended Day program have the option of bringing a lunch or participating in the school cafeteria lunch program. Lunches from home should consist of healthy foods that the child can easily handle. Children are encouraged to save desserts for last. Candy and sodas are not permitted. Preschool and Kindergarten students eat lunch in their classrooms. In the spirit of environmental responsibility reusable rather than disposable lunch containers are encouraged.

Students may wish to bring a snack, which may be eaten during time provided at mid-morning break. Microwave ovens will continue to be available to students in grades two through eight. All lower school and middle school classes eat in the cafeteria each day. Parents who wish to eat with their children at lunchtime should check in at the front office and note the lunch schedule below:

All Southfield families, teachers and staff are provided with a copy of The Southfield School Emergency Procedures flip chart. Everyone should read through this document carefully and regularly, and refer to it in the event of an emergency at school.

The three vehicular entrances to the school are monitored and recorded by close circuit television cameras.

Parents or prospective parents are welcome to visit or observe classes at any time. However, as a courtesy to students and teachers and for security reasons, visitors should request their appointment well in advance of their intended visit.

For safety and security reasons, all non-parent visitors to Southfield must check in at the lower or middle school office.

Prospective students who have applied for admission are invited to visit Southfield and shadow a student for a day. During this day-long visit and admissions test will be administered and lunch in the Southfield Cafe is included. These visitations are made by appointment through the Admissions Director and in coordination with the class teachers.

Friends or out of town relatives who wish to spend a day at Southfield must first clear their request through the appropriate Administrative Division Head. These requests are considered on an individual basis, and are only available in the lower and middle school divisions.

Parents are responsible for the supervision and safety of younger siblings at all times while on the Southfield School campus.

Parking places are at a premium here at Southfield and for the safety and security of the children the school asks that parents follow these guidelines; park only in designated places, NOT in fire lanes, even if it means walking a little farther. Parking is available in two different parking lots. Never leave an unattended, parked car in the circular driveway. At carpool, parents should remain in their vehicles and pickup their children using the advised carpool procedures. Never leave an unattended, parked car with the engine running! DO NOT LEAVE UNATTENDED CHILDREN IN A PARKED CAR.

Southfield employs a part-time registered nurse to treat minor illnesses and injuries and dispense physician prescribed medications. The nurse is available during school hours but not during after school programs or activities.