Knightly News

Episcopal’s Lower School is a uniquely special place, and the Spirit of Episcopal shows up in countless ways. We are the happy home to eight grade levels: PreK-3 to 5th grade. Developmentally, this is a wide span of age groups, and our program supports the social-emotional and learning growth of each child, ages three to twelve, especially well. 

We Work Hard!

Our students work hard and the Spirit of Episcopal shows up throughout the school day in the various ways our students demonstrate hard work. In the younger grades, learning is primarily play-based. Play IS the work of young children. Through developmentally appropriate activities, our Mini Knights have opportunities throughout their school day to develop an appreciation for literacy, a concrete sense of numeracy skills, and curiosity for the sciences. In our older grades, students develop a deeper love for reading, writing, math, and learning about science and social studies through in-depth project-based learning units. 

We Play Hard!

Our students play hard too! With plenty of opportunities for both unstructured and structured playtimes, new friendships are fostered within a grade level, across grade levels, and with their younger and older buddies. The Spirit of Episcopal is evident in these friendships and the many ways students take good care of each other.

So Much Spirit!

The Spirit of Episcopal also shows up in our great pride for our students, teachers, family community, alumni, arts & athletic events, and traditions. This Spirit shows up in so many ways: 

• We see this spirit in the ways our students demonstrate diligence to outgrow themselves, as learners and friends, with each new year.  
• We see this spirit in the ways our students seek ways to make a positive difference in the world and engage in service learning.
• We see this spirit in the countless ways our teachers love and care for their students. 
• We see this spirit in the profound parent support of the school. 
• We see this spirit in the support of our alumni - such as guest authors, the Lindley Spaht Dodson Speaker Series, and guest readers.
• We see this spirit in the special events supported by the Arts Krewe and the Squires Club.
• And we see this spirit in the many ways we gather as a community. Gathering as a community, as a homeroom, a grade level, a division, or all-school, are cherished traditions at Episcopal. 

Community Gatherings

PreK-4 - 5th grade students gather each day of the week as a community, in Morning Meeting or chapel services. Younger and older buddies sit together in Morning Meeting. These faith-based gatherings are a special time to sing and pray together. We honor our country with the Pledge of Allegiance and our school with the Honor Code. Students learn how God’s love translates into our daily lives and occasionally learn from guest speakers. Our 5th graders take a leadership role, serving as readers or Acolytes. We also celebrate birthdays and share important announcements. Families are always welcome to join Morning Meeting and chapel services, and both beautifully depict the Spirit of Episcopal.

We gather as a community in a variety of other ways too, where you’ll find the Spirit of Episcopal alive and well. Throughout the year, grade levels sponsor events to showcase learning following a unit of study. Students celebrate various holidays together through class parties and the Lower School Halloween Parade. The Lower School Leaders, our 5th graders, begin and end the year with special events: A retreat followed by the Sweatshirt Ceremony where they understand what it means to be the Class of 2031 and an end-of-year Eucharist Celebration to set them up for the transition to Middle School. Several times throughout the year, we gather as a whole school - to celebrate the Eucharist, to show gratitude for veterans with a Veterans Day Parade, to cheer on the Knights in pep rallies, and to honor our graduates during the Senior Walk Out. These special traditions bring us together as one school … one spirit.

Join Us!

We invite you to take special note of the Spirit of Episcopal and call it out - loud and proud too - with your child, with us here at school, and with each other. I hope you’ll join us on campus as much as you’re able to experience the Spirit of Episcopal too.

Beth Gardner

Beth Gardner is the Episcopal Lower School Division Head. Before that she was the Assistant Lower Division Director at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida. Berkeley is an independent Episcopal school and was ranked as the top private school in Tampa Bay and number six in the state of Florida by Niche.com. Prior to her time at Berkeley, Beth was the Lower School Director at Columbia Independent School in Columbia, Missouri. Beth brings extensive experience in education with a career spanning back to 1993 when she taught Pre-kindergarten, first, second,fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Beth trained at Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and has led book studies in the Responsive Classroom method. She is Apple Certified and trained in both Google Apps for Education and Singapore Math. Beth is a National Board Certified Teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with a certification in PK-8 grade from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction from William Woods University.

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.