Episcopal High School

No school is perfect. But I am certainly glad that we have been able to send both of our children to Episcopal. One attended for 13 years (K-12th), and the other has been a student since kindergarten. Current administration is very people-oriented and approachable. Since the new administration arrived, much needed maintenance has been accomplished or is planned for all the campus. Teachers are excellent. Coursework can be difficult, but that is to be expected at a college-prep school. Many opportunities for the students in sports and arts, and academic choices are plentiful. Beautiful facilities. Parental involvement is very strong. And the lunches are delicious! I would not want to send my children anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been going to Episcopal for four years now, and it is easily the best school in Baton Rouge. Given the fact that Baton Rouge has very poor schools (U-high). The work can be overwhelming, but we have several long breaks during the day to go and visit teachers for help. The people who struggle at school are generally the ones who slack off and refuse to seek help. They really encourage individuality and how one can express his/herself. I think Episcopal is the best school in Baton Rouge, because of its challenging academic programs and its desire for strong leaders at school and away from school.

My family has been involved with Episcopal for seven years and I have seen many improvements in program, both academic and extracurricular during that time. Unfortunately, our level of trust has diminished since the current head of school began his tenure in 2010. Major changes have occurred with little or no communication. Parents are discouraged from open discourse. Financial aid awards were completely botched. I heard that faculty contracts were not received until June. Programs that directly affect students have been slashed in the name of the budget, while many positions have been added in administration, landscaping, etc. My children have always loved the school-hence the high ranking. Personally, I am skeptical of the current priorities and wish we could return to those things that were valued by the previous head: academic attention and excellence, character development, and timely communication.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent new Head of School in Hugh McIntosh. School making great progress toward 21st Century Education
--Submitted by a parent

My experience at Episcopal has been fabulous. It is unarguably the best school in Baton Rouge academically. Most classes are strong, and while I'll admit there is the occasional poor teacher, you can usually avoid them if you take the AP or Honors route in certain fields. The student body is energetic and close-knit. People complain that new students feel unwelcome, but I feel that this has changed especially within the past year. I feel like a huge number of new students have transferred to EHS throughout the semester and many RAVE about their experience at EHS vs. other private schools in the area. I do not feel like my class is at all cliquey- our entire class is essentially two large groups, which I would not consider 'exclusive.' Students can be slightly shallow and materialistic, but this is true for any private school similar to EHS.
--Submitted by a student

I am currently a student at EHS. I moved here from another school. At the beginning, everybody was nice, the school work was pretty easy. I liked it for a couple of months. I really didnt mind going to school. But now, everything is stressful and I get headaches all the time after school. It is only halfway through the semester, and I feel as though I want to leave. The kids here are very smart, but they tease and laugh at you even if you do something wrong. If you dont have the right clothes, shoes, etc. There are many people who act as if they OWN the whole school, even though they are just students. The teachers are great, and they help the students alot. Overall, this school is pretty good. It has GREAT extra curricular activites, and many sports to play.
--Submitted by a student

great students focused on serving the community and doing great things in the classroom. A wonderful faculty to make life a pleasure for all.
--Submitted by a parent

I've read all the reviews on EHS, and it's clear that this used to be a great school, just a few years ago. It's a shame how it's faring now. The school has always boasted excellent test scores and successful graduates in the past, but as a student in the high school, I can't help but see how things have been going down hill. I've always been a good student, I'm in all honors and AP classes, but sometimes even I have a hard time keeping myself motivated to work through the mounds of homework assigned. I think it's a shame that the most I've learned this year is how to BS my way into mostly A's, and the occasional B. EHS needs to step it up, and get back to being the quality school that it should be for the high price of tuition.
--Submitted by a student

I'm a junior at EHS right now, soon to become a senior. This school is definitely an opportunity for your child to have a great education, however, in my opinion, you should start them out early. It is so hard to transfer in. Although next year, a schedule change will be more like other schools, it's just a lot or hard work and stress. You constantly have to be on top of everything because if you get in a hole or your grades start going down, you are going to have to give up your life to get your grades back up. The worst thing is, when you are sick or have something else going on in your life and you have to miss school, in the back of your mind, at least for me and my friends, we are always worried about what we are missing in class.
--Submitted by a student

I have been at Episcopal for about 12 years. In the begining, it was a wonderful place, but sadly recently things have been declining dramatically. Teachers who have been there for years are leaving, which is bringing in new, young, and unexperienced teachers. The atmosphere of the school is not welcoming. They come off as cold, and arrogant. If you don't have the latest hairstyle or shoes, they discriminate you. Kids who are different are constantly teased. The workload is overwhelming and honestly stresses me out so much. A teenager should not go through that much stress this early on. But other than that, students get a good education and our sports and performing arts is excellent.
--Submitted by a student