Episcopal Upper School Newsletters

Dear Upper School Families,

As the campus fills with the energy of the final week of the spring semester, I want to take a moment to look back on a spectacular academic year and look forward to a restful, productive summer.

This past weekend, we celebrated the Commencement of the Class of 2026.  It was a beautiful, memorable milestone.  The graduates of 2026 have left an indelible mark on the Episcopal community through their leadership, creativity, athleticism, and scholarship.  We are incredibly proud of who they are and where they are headed.

To our senior parents, especially those who are transitioning out of being Episcopal parents after many years: thank you.  Thank you for trusting us with your children, for your countless hours of volunteer service, and for partnering with us to help shape these remarkable young adults.  You will always have a home on Woodland Ridge, and we wish your families nothing but the very best in this next chapter.

The celebration continued this morning as we gathered for our annual Upper School Awards.  Watching our underclassmen be recognized for their academic curiosity and leadership affirms that the standard of excellence on our campus remains in good hands.  Congratulations to all of our award recipients for their hard work and dedication this year.

For our freshman, sophomore, and junior families, our focus now turns completely toward a successful final push.  Upper School exams begin tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19th.

Exams can naturally bring a healthy amount of pressure, but we want to encourage our students to keep things in perspective.  Our faculty has spent the last week preparing them well.  The best recipe for success over the next few days contains a few simple ingredients:

• Dedicated, distraction-free study time blocks.
• Prioritizing a healthy sleep schedule.
• Eating a good breakfast before arriving on campus and staying hydrated.

We are rooting for every single one of our students this week.  They’ve worked hard all year and they should be crossing the finish line with confidence.

Once the last exam is turned in on Friday, a well-deserved break begins.  We want to encourage all of our returning students to use their summer months intentionally and well.  A great summer balances two things:

• True Rest: Disconnecting from the daily school-year grind, spending time outside, and prioritizing mental and physical wellness.
• Productive Growth: Finding a great book to read, working a summer job, volunteering in the Baton Rouge community, or diving deep into a personal hobby or project.

While daily campus life slows down in June and July, our administrative team will remain busy preparing for a fantastic 2026-2027 school year. To help your family stay organized, please keep an eye out for summertime digital communications from my office.

Thank you all for a truly wonderful school year.  It has been a privilege and an honor to partner with your families.  I wish you all a safe, healthy, and joyful start to the summer season.

Thanks,

Dan Binder

Head of Upper School

CONTACTS:

Feel free to reach out to any of us in the Upper School office — we are here to help and support you.  If we're not the right contact, we’ll connect you with someone who can assist you best.

Mr. Dan Binder
US Division Head
[email protected]
225-755-2708

Mr. Scott Engholm
US Dean of Student Life
[email protected]
225-963-9894

Ms. Kristen Wilcox
US Counselor
[email protected]
225-755-2709

Dr. Jen Godfrey
US Student Services Coordinator
[email protected]
225-755-2711