Episcopal School of Baton Rouge builds bright futures with challenge, compassion and personalization | Sponsored: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge
When Dr. Carrie Steakley first met Episcopal School of Baton Rouge faculty in 2016, it was while she led a professional development session. Dr. Steakley had spent many years at St. Mary’s Episcopal in Memphis in teaching and administrative roles, but her interactions with the Baton Rouge team stayed with her long after the training had ended.
“I was deeply impressed by the environment here and developed a strong admiration for the school—particularly the faculty,” she said. “I found everyone to be highly professional and genuinely committed to advancing education through innovative and forward-thinking pedagogies. It was truly inspiring and left a lasting impression on me.”
When an opportunity arose to lead Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, Dr. Steakley applied. Now, she is in her sixth year as the head of school and said that the qualities that first drew her to Baton Rouge remain at the heart of the school’s success.
“While the academic rigor at Episcopal is often highlighted—and rightly so—what we consistently hear from parents is that they choose our school because of the strong sense of community,” she said. “It’s the way our teachers invest in each student, providing personalized support and ensuring every child feels seen, valued, and cared for. They challenge students to reach their full potential, but just as importantly, they walk alongside them every step of the way, doing whatever it takes to help them succeed.”
At Episcopal, over 60 percent of the teachers hold advanced degrees. Those credentials are impressive, but Dr. Steakley noted that the school looks to hire and retain faculty who are not only well-trained, but ready to embrace the philosophy of care and individual attention for students that is a key to success.
“We want people who teach students how to think, not tell them what to think,” she said. “We want classroom environments that foster critical thinking and encourage students to create, design, and engage respectfully. An Episcopal school is a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds. We look for people who embrace that philosophy.”
Students at Episcopal are not given letter grades on report cards until sixth grade. Instead, younger students focus on mastering concepts and project-based learning in the QUEST Center. On any given day, the Lower School at Episcopal can be filled with children learning coding basics, reading and writing, or examining flowers in the Pre-K garden.
“It’s very important to us that students don’t internalize negative beliefs about their abilities—particularly in subjects like math and writing—based on early academic experiences or individual grades,” Dr. Steakley said. “Our goal is to cultivate a genuine love of learning while maintaining open, constructive communication with parents about each child’s strengths and areas for growth. Everything we do is intentional and grounded in a deep understanding of what is developmentally appropriate for children at each stage.”
That focus turns to college preparation in the Upper School. Episcopal offers nearly two dozen Advanced Placement courses, but Dr. Steakley and her team are careful about balance and limit the number of AP courses that a student can take each semester. In fact, they work with each student one-on-one to develop an educational plan that is rigorous yet well-rounded.
“We take into account each child’s future goals, interests, talents and where they need to stretch themselves,” she said. “We don’t want to see students taking a full load of AP courses and nothing else. We want them to be able to do Mock Trial or Model UN or choir. We want them to be in theatre performances or play tennis – whatever connects them to other students and creates well-rounded experiences that will make them good citizens of the world.”
Students can also participate in some of Episcopal’s signature offerings, such as the THESIS Program with a heavy research component and the ESTAAR science-focused program that pairs Episcopal students with LSU researchers. Both programs culminate with a TedX-style presentation to the upper school. In addition, students participate in service learning projects that benefit the wider Baton Rouge community.
Dr. Steakley emphasized that a core priority at Episcopal is making its high-quality educational offerings accessible to families of all backgrounds. In the 2025–26 school year, the school awarded over $3 million in tuition assistance.
“Our goal is to enroll students from across the city and from a wide range of backgrounds,” Dr. Steakley said. “For families who are deeply committed to Episcopal and for students who align with our mission, we are often able to make enrollment financially possible through tuition assistance and scholarships.”
Rather than large open houses, Episcopal School of Baton Rouge personalizes the application process with one-on-one tours. Families are paired with student ambassadors who can answer questions about campus life, and administrators discuss each child’s specific interests and goals.
“We’ve found that a personalized approach to the tour and admissions process is far more meaningful for families,” Dr. Steakley said. “We take time to understand what draws them to Episcopal and focus on the aspects of the school that matter most to them. Each tour is tailored to the prospective student’s grade level and the family’s specific interests. It’s important to use that time intentionally and ensure every visit is as impactful and informative as possible.”
Learn more about Episcopal School of Baton Rouge or schedule a tour today atwww.episcopalbr.org.
