Ascension Day School

Ascension Episcopal School provides students with academic excellence in a christian environment. I've never seen a school treat each child with such individual attention and loving care. The lower school head and staff are the best faculty in the state.

Severe verbal bullying problems, particularly among girls. Lack of discipline in lower school. Much of bullying comes from this lack of structure both in classroom behavior and in discipline program. They say, "Structure inhibits creativity." Evidence: Lack of structure encourages bullies. The school has been in state and local newspaper and TV headlines in recent months due to serious problems with key staff.

Very dissatisfied with lower school headmaster; but very satisfied with educators
—Submitted by a parent

As of the middle school, I have been very pleased. The importance of the child comes first. Very open to communication with parents and feel like they can handle any issue that comes up. Now my Preschool experiance has been a nightmare to say the least. The principal is cold and heartless. These children are still babies in my eyes and should be cared for in a sensitive manner. I feel like they want a easy child one that doesn't take extra effort. I'm confused on my decision to keep him bc I know the middle school will be more willing to help him succeed. I think the Preschool needs new Leadership immediatly!!!
—Submitted by a parent

AES is a wonderful school. Children of all race and creed are accepted and cherished for their individualism. The tuition, is expensive, but is lower than many other private schools and financial aid is available to ensure that no child is left out of the system or the extracurricular activities. The education my child is getting is challenging and academically far superior to all the other schools in the area that I have studied. Most importantly, the work is tailored to the child and fosters a love of learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremley pleased with all aspects of AES. The tution is a little high compared to other schools in our area, but some of my family members in Plano,TX pay substantially more at their Episcopal schools. I have five children that have attended different schools, both public and private, depending on thier needs (one in gifted, one dyslexia, one mild autism). I wish we could have sent them all to AES. For now two (one is autistic) are attending and both love their teachers, support staff, and administrators. The principles of the pre-school & lower school have showed an abundance of genuine concern for both of our children, and we are just average middle class trying to give our kids a solid Christ-centered academic foundation. My husband and I agree that AES has provided as much as any school could- the rest is up to us.
—Submitted by a parent

principal of lower school is very unprofessional. the teachers are handed the standardized test to prepare students so their scores can be competitive. teachers are very unhappy. parents are wanting change in leadership.

I am beyond disapointed in the experience at ADS. We are currently enrolled in the PK-5 campus and will be switching before 1st grade. They did no testing before enrolling our children, and is seems the only credential for admission is who able to pay. The communication from the school administration is terrible. It's very 'clicky' amongst the parents. More importantly, I am not impressed with the cirriculum. I'm happy for those that love this school and the kids are having a wonderful experience. For us, it could not be a greater let-down.
—Submitted by a parent

Ascension has nurtured and challenged my very bright daughter while encouraging her in arts and music. Each teacher knows great detail about their students and strives to help them.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children have been attending ADS for the past 12 years. We have been very happy with the Christian environment and challenging academics. We have found no other school in our area that compares.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing my daughter loves it. We were originally from new orleans and my daughter switched schools in the middle of the school year she was in third grade then.But now she is in fifth grade and having a wonderful time with all her new friends.She seems to like it here at ascension then at any other schpp;.
—Submitted by a parent

Academically, I found the main campus to be lacking for my child. We were extremely pleased with the lower school in River Ranch. We ended up switching schools for second grade because my son wasn't being challenged. I often felt as if my child was lost in the shuffle, due to the size of the student body. As a new parent I wasn't told that the busses follow the public school calendar, so there were times when I waited at the bus stop only to find out that I needed to go to campus and pick him up. Communication was poor, they told parents not to come to the holiday classroom parties.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the faculty, leadership and educational opportunity that is provided by ADS. My child is in his 4th year there, and the work he is doing in 3rd grade is the same work my nephew is doing in a public 5th grade school in one of the best districts in Texas. My son is challenged academically and loves the school, the teachers and his classmates. Whomever wrote that the educational standard is the worst in Louisiana could not be more misguided. The fact that the school was named a Blue Ribbon school attests to the fact that it's students' test scores are higher than the 90th percentile nationwide, so not only is the educational level one of the highest in the state, it's one of the highest in the nation. It is expensive, but in my opinion, you get what you pay for!
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children at Ascension Day School and couldn't be happier with the quality of education they receive. Both campuses offer a loving environment with exceptional hands-on learning that is second to none in Lafayette.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child spent several years at a Catholic school in Lafayette, before switching over to Ascension. The difference in the quality of education and the uplifting, positive, atmosphere is worth the price of tuition. Ascension is extremely 'pro-student.' Our leaders always set a postive example and show a genuine personal interest in our children and our families.
—Submitted by a parent

I recently graduated from eigth grade at ascension day school after going there for ten years. I have to say that I loved every aspect of the education that Ascension has to offer. I loved how the teachers were really passionate about the subject they were teaching and cared about the students, and were more like close friends than teachers. The interactive learning system made it easy to understand complex problems, and the material was stimulating and challenging while not overbearing. I'm going to miss this school very much next year, and i certainly plan on coming back to visit teachers and friends.
—Submitted by a former student

My youngest brother switched to this school after Christmas and we have nothing but good things to say about Ascension. The kids at Ascension have been nothing but nice and he is fitting in well. Academically, he is learning so much and doing very well. He actually enjoys going to school which is rare for a 7th grader. There are a few parochial and private schools in the Lafayette area that are far superior to the others. Ascension is definitely one of them. It is a relaxed, fun school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school for 'feel-good' parents. Sending your child to Ascension is a sure sign that you are status-conscious because the education is no better than can be found at other parochial schools in Lafayette in spite of the fact that tuition is the most expensive in town.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very pleased with ADS the last two years. The parents and teachers both are involved with the students. It is expensive, but it is my choice to send my daughter there. It's true, I am proud of the school. I feel fortunate that my daughter is able to attend.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends the ELC campus. The pre-k 3 has caught him up with the rest of the kids to be ready for pre-k 4. The school and faculty are exceptional! I was going to send him to another school when starting pre-k 4, but we love this one so much we are now staying here. The school is very organized and structured, yet very fun at the same time. The pre-k 3 is wonderful. All schools should offer it. I love that the school has after care and morning care for student's of working parents. I am not Episcopal and we feel right at home. Many other parents would send their children here, instead of other private schools in town, if they had any idea how wonderful it is. Th only drawback is that the tuition increases as the grades get higher. The variety of activities is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent