Knightly News

Welcome back!  The first day of school is one of my favorite days of the year! From our youngest students to our seniors, the joy is palpable as students return to the school they love. It is exciting to see them greet friends, hug teachers, and share their hopes and eagerness for a new year of learning together.

Our theme for this new school year is The Spirit of Episcopal. This spirit encompasses every community member, from our students to parents, alumni, faculty and staff. We feel the spirit of Episcopal when we participate in time-honored traditions, such as the fifth grade sweatshirt ceremony, an adventure of a lifetime at Mo Ranch or the Junior Ring Day ceremony. These traditions unite us, and we are truly blessed to have the community support and parental involvement that create these lasting memories for our students and make Episcopal such an exceptional learning environment.

Joining together as a community is one of the best and most powerful ways to experience the spirit of Episcopal. A shared sense of pride is felt as we watch our students grow academically, artistically, athletically and spiritually. We hope you will join us on campus this school year and support our students. You can track school events on our calendar here. While we know that schedules are hectic and you may not make it to everything, I’d like to recommend a few of our upcoming community opportunities.

Chapel services are held daily at 7:50 a.m., and we have added reserved seating for parents. While most chapel services occur in the Lewis Family Memorial Chapel of the Good Shepherd, we will host an all-school Eucharist on Wednesday, August 23, at 7:50 a.m. in the main gym. The spirit of Episcopal will surely permeate the gym as students of all divisions unite in a shared worship service. Later this semester, I’d also like to invite you to join us for the annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 10. Whether you are a veteran in the parade or a spectator cheering in appreciation of our veterans, this is a joyful celebration with flag waving, music and tons of red, white and blue. I hope to see you at one of our community events, including many exciting athletic contests, inspiring theatrical performances, student presentations and more. 

When you visit our campus, you will witness the spirit of Episcopal through the work of our dedicated faculty and staff, and we are delighted to welcome 12 new faculty and staff members to our Episcopal family. These talented individuals join a team that works hard to foster a love of learning among our students that prepares them well for purposeful lives. This year, parents will also have the opportunity to learn from our amazing faculty as some of our faculty will offer Knight classes (more to come about that soon).

Episcopal is a special place to learn and work, and I know that when you visit campus, you will agree that it is beautiful! On the exterior, we have pressure-washed the entire campus, completed a makeover of the early childhood playground, repaired walkways, and resurfaced the track.  The interiors of Perkins Hall, Middle School, and the Alumni House have fresh paint, and the Perkins restrooms look new!  Additionally, thanks to the Class of 2023 and many of you, the Pool Pavilion is being renovated in honor of Baron Stevenson. We hope that having our facilities in top shape for the first day of classes instills pride and ownership within our community and is a physical reminder of the spirit of Episcopal.

As we begin this school year strong, we are also working toward the future. A board-appointed Strategic Planning Steering Committee is working on a new strategic plan that will ensure the spirit of Episcopal lives on for generations. Identifying and reaffirming our school’s core values was the committee’s first step this summer, and we now need your input. Please fill out this quick survey by Friday, August 25.  The survey is a list of words; you simply select the ones that ring true for Episcopal (it will take less than two minutes).  Having a well-articulated set of core values not only helps us to define the spirit of Episcopal, but it also gives us a compass for strategic planning and other decision-making.  

As I begin my fourth year as Head of School, I am excited about the school year ahead and eager to share the spirit of Episcopal with all of you.  Please know that my door is always open to you, and I enjoy collaborating with you to ensure that Episcopal remains the best place on Earth for students to grow and learn.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carrie Steakley
Head of School

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 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.