A Personalized Education

Selecting a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent. We know that moms and dads like you have lots of questions and want to make the most informed decision in regards to school choice. Common questions are: Will my child feel comfortable and accepted in the community? Will the facilities inspire and allow my child to thrive?  Does the school encourage parental involvement?  Will my child be prepared for his or her future? Is the school in a safe environment? The answer to all of those questions is YES. But, in addition to that,  what sets us apart from other schools is the individual attention and personalized education your child will receive in an Episcopal classroom.

At Episcopal, we are committed to creating community, and small class sizes allow us to do just that. Along with our Lower School Morning Meeting gathering each day, every homeroom begins with community building. Students are given the opportunity to sit in the round, greet each other in fun and creative ways, and share news that is important to that individual student. They are practicing skills such as how to make eye contact when speaking and how to listen to each other. They are developing empathy, a powerful and necessary component for global citizenship.

With our smaller class sizes, much more is possible academically. The faculty and staff know the students well and are better able to individualize instruction. For example, students write daily and publish their work throughout the year. Conferencing with students and moving them along a continuum that is based on their individual needs as a writer, results in helping them to discover their voice and improve their composition skills in a variety of genres.

With fewer distractions in smaller classes, more time can be focused on instruction. Students, especially those who tend to be more reserved, are more likely to participate in class when there are less students. They have a tendency to both answer and ask more questions. The increased participation develops independence and confidence, and also builds camaraderie as students begin to build relationships and support each other along the way.

In the Lower School, we use a variety of methodologies to teach, all made possible with manageable group sizes. Project Based Learning, embraced at all grade levels, is a fine example. Students are inspired to make a personal connection to a given topic, supported by guest speakers and field trips help to expand their knowledge on that topic. In the end, teachers work with individuals and small groups to solve a real-world problem or share their knowledge in innovative ways. High levels of collaboration are involved in identifying interests, enhancing learning, and executing presentations. Our students are developing a love of learning and will be prepared for success.

​With an average class size of thirteen, Episcopal’s Lower School provides a superior educational experience. Homeroom teachers, enrichment teachers, PE coaches, and World Language staff remain focused on each child and his or her needs. Open lines of communication with families, that include detailed narratives and face-to-face conferences, provide the level of feedback surpassing other educational options in Baton Rouge. With wait pools in several grades, we are resolute in our commitment to prioritizing individualization in smaller classes. We believe that our students are best served by our approach to class size and curriculum--another difference maker in an Episcopal education.

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Bridget Henderson

After teaching third, fifth, and sixth grade at Episcopal from 1990 - 1995, Bridget returned in 2011 as the Head of Lower School.  She has been an educator for twenty-eight years, eighteen of which were spent teaching traditional and gifted classes in private, public, and Parochial schools.   She also has ten years of experience as an elementary school administrator.  Bridget received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in 1986 from L.S.U.  In 2002 she earned her master’s degree in Gifted Education with a minor in Educational Technology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  She completed her administrative coursework from Louisiana Tech University in 2005. 
 
From a family of educators, her husband Kenny is the Executive Director of The Brighton School and their children—Maggie, Taylor, and Thomas—are all teachers as well.  Bridget and her family are committed to education and recognize the importance of preparing children to make a positive difference in our world.