S. P. Arnett Middle School

S. P. Arnett Middle School in Westlake stands out as a recognized STEM education hub in Calcasieu Parish. The school has achieved pathway status with Woz ED, an educational organization that curates specialized STEM curriculum for K-12 schools nationwide—a distinction held by only 15 schools across the country. This recognition reflects the school's comprehensive approach to hands-on learning in robotics, cybersecurity, animation, and artificial intelligence.

Academically, S. P. Arnett consistently outperforms district and state averages, with 83% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts compared to 74% for Calcasieu Parish and 69% for Louisiana. The school ranks 81st among 449 Louisiana middle schools and 2nd among all Calcasieu Parish middle schools. With a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, the school offers a rigorous gifted program alongside its innovative STEM curriculum that emphasizes hands-on experience over traditional coursework.

The school's commitment to modern education extends beyond academics, with students participating in 12-week rotation units featuring robotics, coding, drones, and engineering projects. This approach prepares middle-grade students with critical 21st-century skills while maintaining strong foundational academics in mathematics and language arts.