Knightly News

Episcopal educators excel at encouraging a love of learning and exploration as they pursue excellence in the classroom and beyond. With exciting project-based lessons and meaningful student led endeavors, an Episcopal education is experiential, engaging and fun. Two recent learning experiences supported by faculty highlight the spark of learning that comes with encouragement and planning.

Kids’ Day at the Museum

With the encouragement of science teacher Ros Won, 10 Episcopal students recently enjoyed Kids’ Day at the Museum at the LSU Museum of Natural Science. With nearly 2.5 million specimens, the museum was the ideal location for young scientists to explore.

Fourth grader Susanna Dampf chose to participate because science is one of her favorite subjects and outer space is one of her favorite topics. At the museum, she enjoyed learning more about electricity. “I definitely want to do it again,” she says regarding the experience. In the future, Susanna is considering a career as a veterinarian.

Won is thrilled when her students participate in science activities outside the classroom. “They also get to meet and speak with scientists and other students with similar interests,” she says. “It’s also cool to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the LSU Museum of Natural Science.”

READBowl State Champs

Meanwhile, a recent ReadBowl experience initiated by fifth grade reading teacher Erin Hoapili sparked similar excitement for reading. When looking for a competition or activity to inspire young readers, Hoapili discovered the international READBowl contest. Established by former NFL Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Mitchell, “READBowl is the free global reading competition where PreK-12th grade aged teams around the globe compete to read for the most minutes.” According to the READBowl website, the competition begins four weeks before the Super Bowl and ends on Super Bowl Sunday when the top readers are announced.

When Hoapili found the READBowl information, she thought it could be fun for her young readers. However, she had no clue that the competition would take off the way it did. Students were engaged from the very beginning and remained engaged the entire time. Hoapili says the students, who participate in book clubs with classmates, were “plowing through their book club books.” Parents reported that students read more at home, and fellow teachers told Hoapili that students were timing their reading in every classroom.

Ultimately, the four fifth grade classes read for 107,000+ minutes in four weeks! Ms. Won’s class was recognized as the group with the most minutes read, and students earned a classroom party to celebrate. Then, more good news arrived. Hoapili received notice that Won’s students were the Louisiana State Champions of Reading in their conference for the 2025 READBowl. Hoapili hopes the experience helps all fifth graders develop a habit of reading. “I’m hoping that it will give them some momentum,” she says.

Experiences that Inspire

Momentum is important in a learning journey, with each experience enhancing and inspiring the next. For example, in Lower School science, students often look forward to the annual cow eye dissection and cardboard arcade. In Middle School, students study photosynthesis and the impacts of litter on the natural world with lessons that encourage critical thinking. Once students are in Upper School, there are ample opportunities for science learning in the Academic Commons. Students also participate in university-level research through the ESTAAR program and travel programs that encourage science exploration.

The same is true with reading. Hoapili’s classroom is organized with flexible seating that encourages students to grab a comfortable seat and a good book and enjoy. To the students’ delight, Hoapili offers weekly read alouds, and reading units that wrap up with exciting project-based lessons. Like their Middle and Upper School classmates, Lower School students also participate in DEAR, a weekly effort to designate time for reading. With book fairs, author visits and the popular Battle of the Books, students have plenty of opportunities to grow their love of reading.

Experiences like Kids’ Day at the Museum and READBowl enhance traditional learning experiences and excite young learners to explore more. It showcases the Episcopal faculty’s expertise in preparing students to be the leaders of tomorrow and to make a difference in their world.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 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.