NATCHEZ — Natchez-Adams School District officials will host an informational session Tuesday to answer questions and distribute applications for the newest school in Natchez.

The Robert Lewis Magnet School for STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math, is slated to open this fall to 125 sixth-grade students.

An additional grade level will be phased in each year until the school reaches eighth grade.

Superintendent Frederick Hill said the decision to begin with sixth-grade students was based on attempting to help students during a transitional year.

“Sixth grade is a transitional year, and there is a higher level of failure shown traditionally in those years where students have to adjust,” Hill said. “They have tendencies to fail without the proper support.”

The school will offer an applied learning, inquiry-based program that encourages children to learn through active exploration and project-based learning.

Project-based learning is a student-centered instructional strategy in which students collaboratively answer questions and solve problems and then reflect on their experiences.

Parents and community members will also have the opportunity at the session to speak to the school’s principal, Zandra McDonald, who Hill announced Monday as the school’s new leader.

McDonald currently serves as an assistant principal at Morgantown Middle School and also served as the chair of a magnet steering committee.

“I am super excited about the opportunity to be the first magnet school principal,” McDonald said. “I, along with district leaders and the chosen staff, have an opportunity to implement an initiative and put some pillars of excellence in place that will provide our students with valuable experiences and learning opportunities that will greatly impact their futures.”

Applications for parents will also be available at the session, which will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the school’s cafeteria. The new school is located at the former Robert Lewis Middle School site.

Admission to the school will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 125 students. If more than 125 students apply, a lottery will be offered to fill the available slots.

A student’s past disciplinary infractions will not play a part in the admission decision.

Part of the admission process will require an interview of both the child and the parents or guardians.

If a lottery is implemented, students not included in the 125 available positions will be placed on a waiting list.

Applications will also be available at West, Frazier and McLaurin Elementary schools.

The applications are due by Friday, May 10, and should be turned in at Braden Administrative Building.