Knightly News

100% college acceptance
10% National Merit Corporation recognized
52 AP Scholars
$10 million+ scholarship support earned

Congratulations to the Class of 2022! Members of the class continued Episcopal’s tradition of academic excellence. Now, as they move into dorms and prepare to attend classes at universities across the country, they are well prepared for the journey ahead. In the College Counseling department, we are happy to be a part of this preparation.

This summer, I was honored to work with new members of the higher education admissions community as a guest presenter and mentor at the Dry Run training workshop presented by the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC).  I presented the high school perspective of the college admissions process, and it was rewarding to work with the college representatives to positively impact the next generation of learners.

I have always loved mentoring people. I suppose that is what inspired my 15-year career in the college counseling field, and after so long in the industry, I am happy to share what I’ve learned with others. As a Dry Run mentor, I coached admission professionals who have only been in the role for a very short time. I hope my presentations on current college admissions trends and how to grow in the college counseling profession benefited attendees. I am also eager to continue mentoring these professionals throughout the new admissions cycle.

What does this mean for Episcopal students?

While mentoring young professionals is something I love to do, it also serves our Episcopal students. Experiences such as the SACAC workshop allow me the opportunity to become familiar with more people in higher education and throughout the admission profession. There were approximately 150 university representatives at this summer’s seminar from institutions including the University of Miami, the College of Charleston, Birmingham Southern, Tulane and more. Developing a relationship with school admissions officers is important because this is one way we attract more college representatives to visit our campus. After working closely with students, we know that these visits can spark a student’s interest or confirm a desire to attend a particular school. Being more visible within regional and national professional associations also helps bolster Episcopal’s credibility more broadly and provides name recognition for the school and our students.

In addition, attending professional workshops helps us stay up to date on industry trends. The field of college admissions is rapidly evolving, and there is much to learn. I appreciate the opportunity to work with colleagues from across the nation as we navigate this changing environment in a way that benefits students.

How can college counseling help students?

Beginning in the eighth grade, Episcopal students work closely with a college counselor. The college counseling team offers a range of support, including test preparation and admission essay assistance. We help students select school options and navigate financial considerations. We also organize the annual college fair and a series of College Counseling Coffee and Breakfast with College Counseling sessions. At these informative sessions, we provide answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive. Our students also use personality inventories, career surveys and online search tools to learn more about themselves and their goals. All of this helps students discover personal strengths, values and interests as they prepare for college and beyond.

Episcopal graduates matriculate at schools that offer them the best fit along with the criteria they established in their search – schools where they are happy to live, comfortably challenged and poised to succeed. Our graduates attend universities across the country and around the world. Click here for a list of recent college acceptances.

To learn more about the Episcopal College Counseling program, click here or contact us via the information below.

Justin Fenske
Director of College Counseling
Email Justin

Dr. Alan Newton
Assistant Director of College Counseling
Email Dr. Newton

Julia Spaht
Assistant Director of College Counseling
Email Julia

Justin Fenske joined Episcopal as the Director of College Counseling in 2014 and has been in the field since 2008. Justin graduated from the University of Michigan and earned a master’s in education from Boston University. During his time at Episcopal, his team has implemented a comprehensive high school program priding itself on individual attention to students in all grade levels. Justin is a certified Highlands Ability Battery consultant and has also spent time developing and implementing online career and college tools for high school students in the state of Michigan and as an administrator at Boston 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.