Knightly News

Ask twelve different Louisianians how to make the perfect gumbo, and you will get twelve different answers. The official state dish is ubiquitous throughout Louisiana, but what makes a good gumbo varies by region, family, and even individual taste. The roux and mirepoix are nonnegotiable, yet some prefer a gumbo light on the roux and heavy on the Cajun trinity. Others believe the darker the gumbo and fewer the veggies the better. Some insist on shrimp, some argue for crawfish, and still others drop the shellfish in favor of duck, turkey, or chicken with andouille sausage. Does it have tomatoes? Okra? Is it served with crackers or cornbread? 

Just like a good Louisiana gumbo, Episcopal schools take many variations, but a few nonnegotiables give each the distinctly Episcopalian style of education. Episcopal schools care for the whole child, recognizing that each student is just that: a whole person. Just as knowing that gumbo requires roux and mirepoix, understanding Episcopal schools means looking at the unique ways in which we approach religious formation and study. 

Roux: The Foundation of the Baptismal Covenant

A good pot of gumbo starts with a roux to build upon. Episcopal schools begin with a firm foundation of the Baptismal Covenant. Built upon this covenant, Episcopal schools seek to serve Christ in all persons, strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being. The ethos of Episcopal schools is to be places in which people join together to learn, to grow, and to pray. Episcopal schools are created to model God’s love and grace. 

The Anglican Ingredient: Episcopal Schools and the Anglican Tradition 

Here in Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, we are not only the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, we are also an Episcopal school in Baton Rouge. We exist not merely as a single unit, but as one member of a vast network that stretches around the globe. Episcopal School of Baton Rouge is a diocesan school which operates as a ministry of The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Dating back to 1839, the Diocese of Louisiana is a member of the Episcopal Church, a protestant Christian denomination made up of dioceses across the United States. The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide Christian fellowship with a common lineage dating back to the Church of England. 

As is the Anglican tradition, Episcopalians gather in diversity unified through shared common worship. As such, each branch of the Anglican communion holds a prayer book at its center. With Christ as the sure foundation, the Episcopal Church holds the Book of Common Prayer as a central symbol of our unity. Episcopal schools approach religious studies and spirituality from the richness of this Anglican tradition. All members of Episcopal school communities are full members of the community regardless of one’s religious affiliation. Episcopal schools are spaces in which people gather together to learn and grow across all areas of life, including religious formation and spirituality.

A Mirepoi of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason

Episcopal schools approach religious studies and spiritual formation from the sources of authority in Anglicanism: scripture, tradition, and reason. Commonly depicted as a three-legged stool, “these three sources uphold and critique each other in a dynamic way. Scripture is the normative source for God's revelation and the source for all Christian teaching and reflection. Tradition passes down from generation to generation the church's ongoing experience of God's presence and activity. Reason is understood to include the human capacity to discern the truth in both rational and intuitive ways. It is not limited to logic as such. It takes into account and includes experience. Each of the three sources of authority must be perceived and interpreted in light of the other two.” 

Essential Seasonings: Academic Religious Study and Spiritual Care

In the classroom, religious studies are academic. Students engage religion and sacred texts as scholars, asking questions and developing critical thinking skills. This academic approach lays the groundwork for understanding and informed interpretation, allowing students to grow in their own faith. We aim for religious study that is age-appropriate, meaningful, and fosters dialogue with other faith traditions.

In the chapel, the school gathers in worship drawn from the Christian faith. Services come from the richness of Episcopal liturgy primarily found in The Book of Common Prayer. Episcopal schools recognize that all people are on a spiritual journey, and the worshipping life of a school community is enhanced by the gifts and talents of a diverse group of people from a variety of religious traditions. All people in Episcopal schools are welcome to fully participate in the community worship as we offer spiritual care for every person.  

Just as a good gumbo is substantial, complex, and made to be shared with all who gather at the table, Episcopal schools are diverse communities unified by a dedication to fostering growth for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

Learn more about the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge educational experience. 

Schedule a tour here. 

Learn more about admission here. 

The Reverend Casey Duncan serves as the Senior Associate Chaplain for Episcopal School of Baton Rouge. She previously served as the Episcopal Upper School religion teacher and a long-term Lower School religion substitute teacher. Duncan earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a Master of Theological Studies with an emphasis in New Testament Studies from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. She is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis in ministry of educational leadership from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Before joining Episcopal, Duncan was the Program Coordinator and Lay Head of Congregation for the University of Texas Episcopal Campus Ministry. At the time, the UT campus ministry was the largest Episcopal college ministry in the country. Duncan worked with a student vestry, preached sermons, led worship services, offered pastoral care and much more. She is an active community volunteer serving as a Manna Giver with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and an adult Christian education teacher and volunteer with St. James Episcopal Church. While in Texas, she was a member of the College Ministry Advisory Board, the University of Texas Interfaith Council and a Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People trainer. Duncan is a proud mother to Carolena and Nils. 

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.