Knightly News

The peaceful oasis that is the Writing Center is a little different this year. The vibe is still calm and relaxed, but a sense of something new is on the horizon. Tacked to the walls in a space where twinkly lights glow and coffee is always ready are papers filled with sticky notes listing ideas and aspirations. During a planning retreat, students brainstormed a reimagined Writing Center to more accurately represent the tremendous expansion that has occurred in recent years. What began with Writing Center Fellows assisting students with essays, research papers and other written materials has flourished. Now students offer support to classmates in a range of subjects such as science, history and math. Soon the 50 Fellows and their Director Katie Sutcliffe will launch a rebranded Writing Center to reflect this more robust program.

When the Writing Center relocated to Aldrich Library, an assortment of possibilities became available. There is now a concentration of academic resources all under one roof. Students can access the Fellows, books, computer lab and library team without leaving the building. The larger space allows Fellows to work with entire classes or small groups in addition to the more traditional one-on-one appointments. As the space has expanded, so has the number of Fellows. An increase in Fellows means more support for the Episcopal student body.

Sutcliffe views the role of a Fellow as a significant leadership opportunity. Fellows receive training in the passive pen philosophy, which coaches them to guide students so that they discover the solution for a problem or a sentence for a paper on their own. As the students evolve in their mentorship and leadership abilities, they are better prepared for more responsibilities. For example, this school year, the young leaders are offering new workshops on the brain science of studying.

The Learning Strategies Series consists of seven small workshops developed by Assistant Head of School for Academics Dr. Sara Fenske. During study hall, Fellows present the information, including helpful study strategies, to ninth and tenth graders. Sutcliffe says the younger students are still learning how to be high school students and the information helps them adjust to the demands and coursework. It is also an opportunity for Fellows to connect with students in a relatable and meaningful way.

While being a Fellow takes a lot of time and effort, the Fellows appreciate the impact they have and the sense of community that has developed. Third year Fellow Tanvi Dhaka sees the work as having a positive ripple effect within the Episcopal community. She feels like she is actively contributing and showing kindness to others by offering her support. It is also rewarding when students succeed. “When you help someone and they get an A, it’s a really great feeling,” she says with a smile.

Sutcliffe shares that same sense of reward, even after many years of involvement with the Writing Center. “I really believe in students being at the center of their learning experience,” she says. “It’s my responsibility to facilitate and help them be the stars of the show.”  

The Writing Center, as it’s currently known, has long been a star on campus. It’s a successful peer tutoring endeavor that offers another layer of support for members of the Episcopal community. It will be exciting to see what lies ahead and to watch as the momentum continues to build.

The Writing Center is just one example of the student support offered at Episcopal. Last year, administrators announced a partnership with online tutoring company Paper. There are also numerous opportunities for students to take advantage of Learning Support Services.  

Learn more about upcoming workshops and events by following the Writing Center on Instagram at @episcopalbrwc. To schedule an appointment with a Fellow, click here. 

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.