Using LA GATOR at St. Michael Special School
The state classifies St. Michael Special School as accredited on its 2025-26 BESE approval list, which is the gate for LA GATOR tuition. Louisiana doesn't publish which approved schools signed up with Odyssey in a given year, so ask the school directly. Its Brumfield v. Dodd nondiscrimination approval, required for any state-funded placement, dates from 1976.
It was also on the state's 2024-25 list of schools taking Tuition Donation Credit scholarships. For a family at or below 250% of the poverty line that matters: since Act 403, an STO award from ACE, Arete, Aspiring Scholars or the New Orleans-based Son of a Saint can be added on top of LA GATOR, up to the school's actual tuition and fees.
The federal Private School Survey (2023-24) recorded 153 students, 22.1 full-time-equivalent teachers and a ratio of about 6.9 to 1. The school reports membership in National Catholic Educational Association.
Kindergarten to grade 12 is 13 years at this school. Funded every year at 2026-27 levels, that is roughly $68,159 at the standard amount or $99,138 at the 250%-of-poverty amount, before any STO scholarship. Awards are reset annually and depend on the appropriation, so use it for planning, not budgeting. Pre-K years aren't eligible; the account starts at age 5.
Covering the rest
Students with a disability under IDEA can receive up to $15,253, depending on tier and household income. Ask whether therapy is bundled into tuition or billed separately, since separately billed therapy can also be paid from the account.
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Ask the admissions office
- Which diagnoses and support levels do you serve, and is there a seat for my child's grade?
- Is the school registered with Odyssey as a LA GATOR school for 2026-27, and does it bill tuition quarterly to match the deposits?
- What is the all-in cost for this grade, including fees, and what does a family at the $5,243 and $7,626 levels owe after the account?
- Do you take STO scholarships (ACE, Arete, Aspiring Scholars, Son of a Saint)? Which is applied first, LA GATOR or the STO award?
- Does a PK-4 seat guarantee a kindergarten seat, which is when the account can start?
Nearest private schools
| School | Type | Grades | Distance | BESE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Alphonsus School | Catholic | PK-7 | 0.4 mi | ✓ |
| The Chartwell Center | Learning differences | PK-11 | 0.4 mi | — |
| Trinity Episcopal School | Episcopal | PK-8 | 0.6 mi | ✓ |
| Waldorf School of New Orleans | Independent | PK-8 | 0.7 mi | ✓ |
| Raphael Academy | Learning differences | — | 0.8 mi | — |
| The Louise S. McGehee School | Independent | PK-12 | 0.8 mi | ✓ |
Straight-line distance between campus coordinates.