Knightly News

Each year, Episcopal School of Baton Rouge recognizes International Peace Day with an All-School gathering. Dr. Steakley welcomed everyone to this year's event and reflected on the what makes our community so special. 

Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. Peace is something we practice—through kindness, hospitality, forgiveness, courage, and the willingness to see and honor the dignity of every person. This is one of the beautiful gifts of Episcopal schools: we have the opportunity to model communities where difference is not something to fear or erase, but something to welcome as part of the richness of God’s creation.

We are also approaching Episcopal Schools Week of Celebration this October, a time when Episcopal schools across the country celebrate who we are and the distinctive mission we share. But here in Baton Rouge, we had the joy of getting that celebration started yesterday with a service at St. James Episcopal Church. What a wonderful reminder that our schools are part of something larger—a community rooted in faith, service, love, and a commitment to helping young people become peacemakers in the world.

Rob Devin, Executive Director of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, recently reflected on the life and legacy of Dolly Parton through one of her most personal songs, Coat of Many Colors. He reminds us that Dolly’s mother took scraps of fabric and lovingly stitched them together into something beautiful—a coat that became a symbol of love, dignity, and abundance. Rob suggests that this is also a powerful image for Episcopal schools.

Every day, students arrive at our schools as different threads in a great and beautiful tapestry. Some are bright and confident; others may be anxious, hurting, or worn by circumstances we cannot see. Our calling is not to make everyone the same, but to lovingly stitch those differences together into a community where every person knows they are valued as a beloved child of God.

That is the work of peace. It happens in our classrooms, our hallways, our lunchrooms, our playgrounds, our conversations, and especially in the way we treat one another. As Colossians reminds us, we are called to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness—and above all, with love.

So today, as we celebrate peace, may we remember that each of us is one thread in this community. And may we continue stitching together a “coat of many colors”—a community made stronger and more beautiful by our differences, held together by love, and sent into the world as witnesses to the peace of Christ.

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.