Professional School Counseling & Learning Support Services in Baton Rouge, LA | Episcopal | Baton Rouge Private School | Episcopal

Support Services

As a part of our commitment to developing the whole child, Episcopal employs a Director of Learning Support Services, a Lower School Learning Support Teacher and three professional school counselors. Counselors are assigned to support the developmental needs of students in each of their divisions.

Specific support is provided for students on a range of issues and challenges. Counselors are available for one-on-one student meetings, family discussions, and support group facilitation. In addition, counselors work with students with unique learning needs to ensure that the school is meeting those needs and helping them achieve.

Social/emotional learning is fostered at all grade levels. In Lower School, teachers use the principles of the responsive classroom management philosophy to establish a community of empowered students who understand the expectations and behaviors required of them and the results of those expectations and behaviors. In addition, Middle and Upper School students are assigned to advisory groups in which they discuss social and academic concerns for their age group.

Support Services At-A-Glance

Grief-Sensitive School

Episcopal is designated a Grief-Sensitive School through New York Life’s Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative. The designation signifies that members of the Episcopal faculty have participated in training in which they were introduced to the resources and information to help them support and assist students in all aspects of life, including loss.

Counseling and Student Support Services

We recognize that many factors can interfere with students’ academic performance and general well-being. The counseling program at Episcopal provides a supportive environment in which each child can develop spiritually, emotionally, socially, and academically. It is our goal to assist students as they maximize their strengths and reach their greatest potential. Episcopal has four full-time counselors on staff to meet the emotional, psychosocial, and academic needs of the entire student body. In addition to the supportive services listed below, the counseling department offers individual and small group counseling, parent support and programming, and a wide array of community services and events.

Learning Support Services

Students diagnosed with learning differences are offered classroom accommodations, counseling support, and assistance in applying for extended time accommodations for national standardized tests. Additionally, assistive technology programs are available to help students meet their learning needs.

For learning support in Lower School, contact Laura Portwood.

For support in Middle and Upper School, contact Robin Talamo.

Advisory Program (Grades 6-12)

Mentoring students both individually and as a group, advisors maintain an open line of communication between the school and parents, supervising activities related to students' academic progress and semester schedules. For Middle and Upper School students, their advisor is a mentor, role model, and advocate and is often the first point of contact for parents. Group advisory is an opportunity for students to form relationships with other students in their cohort. This may be the first group with which new students become actively involved.

Student Support Groups

Student Support Groups are formed in each division on an as-needed basis. Banana Splits is offered in all divisions to support students with family changes such as separation, divorce, or grief. OYES, Owning Your Educational Success, is an Upper School support group for students diagnosed with learning differences. This group helps students manage their learning differences and achieve their personal best. Other groups are formed as needed to address developmental issues such as anxiety, relationship problems, social skills training, and study skills.

Student Ambassadors

Episcopal provides many opportunities for students to take on leadership roles. Student Ambassadors in Middle and Upper School welcome students new to Episcopal. They also work with the division counselors to lead activities to build positive school culture.

Episcopal Parent Book Studies