Grace-St. Lukes Episcopal School

Our son is just finishing 1st grade and has attended GSL since Pre-K. We could not wish for a better learning environment for our child. The teachers and staff are wonderful and our son has thrived. The GSL community is caring, nurturing, and academically strong. This school is true asset in preparing our son for the future!
—Submitted by a parent

Gace-St. Luke's Episcopal School is an "anchor for life", which is the school motto. Our children have obtained a solid foundation in the key areas of learning, great moral and ethical values, and have made lifelong friendships. The teachers and administration are wonderful, and the family atmosphere and participation creates an extremely positive environment for learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had two children at GSL for years, and we all absolutely love it. The teachers are remarkable -- top-notch, creative, caring, inspiring. With the opening of the Anchor Center building a few years ago, the school's facilities made a quantum leap ahead. Fantastic science labs, art rooms, gym, cafeteria, library and more. The best things about GSL are the nurturing environment and the challenging curriculum. The kids are encouraged to think, often "outside the box," and much attention is focused on individual paths to success. They embrace the idea that kids learn differently; each child is unique. GSL has always felt like an extended family... a home away from home for my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

GSL has been a wonderful experience for my whole family. As a GSL graduate, I was very well prepared for a competitive single-sex high school and wanted the same nurturing and academically challenging environment for our children. Our favorite things about GSL are the parental involvement and community, the excellent teaching and creative instruction, emphasis on developing the children's character as well as academic preparation for high school, and its welcoming and inclusive but unapologetically Episcopal tradition. Previous reviews mentioned lack of diversity, but it is no less diverse than most private schools in Memphis. We chose GSL for our kids partly because 70% of GSL households are dual-income families, which is about as close to "real world" as you can get in a private school setting. I have heard from several teachers at other area high schools (public and private) that they love getting GSL students--a very high compliment, I think!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Ms. Lee's for Junior Kindergarten at GSL and we were really disappointed. He is attending Snowden Elementary for Kindergarten and the experience has been far superior. GSL school as a community has a hard time looking honestly at itself and seeing its own shortcomings. It is geared towards married, caucasion parents rather than towards working and middle class parents. H They are neither ethnically nor culturally div. They did a great job of emailing us photos of all of the fun things our child was doing in school but never gave us any information on what we needed to do to get him ready for kindergarten. Then, in the spring, they informed us that he did not know the things he needed to know for kindergarten and gave us the impression that they thought he might always struggle. They indicated that they had just learned this when he was tested two weeks prior, even though there were two teachers w/masters for 13 kids. Since we left, our child tested as having a genious IQ, got accepted in the optional program and his teacher recommended him for CLUE. He is also a competitive chess player at only 6. Oh, & the so-called masters his teacher had? Uni of Phoenix.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended GSL for five years. It is an excellent school: committed teachers and administration; strong family community; and a nurturing environment. We are leaving the Memphis area soon, and we are struggling to replicate all that GSL offers in our new community. It offers academic challenges for those who need it, and it supports those who need help. If you can afford the tuition, I would highly recommend considering this school. It especially appeals to Central Gardens residents - many children walk or bike to this school with no concerns for safety.
—Submitted by a parent

We could not be happier with GSL. The school community is close-knit and supportive, the academics are challenging but realistic, teachers are top-notch and the 'whole child' focus makes it exactly what we would want in a school. Also, there is a huge amount of school spirit and it is a fun place to be!
—Submitted by a parent

GSL is a fantastic school! My two children have had wonderful experiences and I have appreciated the focus on the "whole child." Challenging academics coupled with an appreciation for different learning styles makes this the perfect school for us. The fact that the school feels like a large extended family is a bonus! Yes, it is expensive and many parents sacrifice to send their children here, but it is well worth the sacrifice. Setting kids on the right path at the start of their education is worth it. If you are looking for a fantastic school in Memphis, RUN, don't walk, to apply to GSL!
—Submitted by a parent

We have had fantastic experiences here, our daughter is very happy and well challenged. The teachers are great!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children attend this school, both as transfers. We never had a problem with GSL, and have no complaints. When one of my children graduated from GSL and went on to a public high school, he was well ahead of the other students in reading and language. My daughter made great friends and had very good, attentive teachers. It is a bit pricey, but nonetheless, an excellent school that I would not hesitate to recommend.
—Submitted by a parent

GSL is the best school your child could go to. I have toured this school before and it is amazing. At Gsl everyone is nice to you and they welcome you. Currently the school is working on a new building, so they will have new classrooms, a new art room, a new gym, and a new science lad. Like I said before GSl is an amazing school and I hope you will choose for your child to go here.

Their English department could definitely use some help. The science program is exceptional.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at this school for many years. While my children have had many great opportunities there, our experience with the athletic program has been less than positive. I do not feel that the 'win at all costs' mentality of the school is appropriate for this age group and the program in general is lacking in leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

The post earlier states that GSL has nothing more nor less to offer than every other school. The speaks to point of Value Added. What is the value added by attending GSL compared to other schools. While there is much value, GSL is the only coed Episcopal PK-8 School in Memphis. Therefore it provides a focused education for both boys and girls in an Episcopal setting uniquely designed for that age group of children. The curriculum, activities, teachers are all focused for children in pre, elementary and middle school. Our programs are not dictated by high schools but are designed for the specific age groups we serve.

I love gsl everyone is so nice and cares about you. GSL is building a new building and it is going to be amazing. I have been going to gsl for 9 years and I am the vice president and loved every second at gsl
—Submitted by a student

My children, like all children, have experienced both successes and struggles during their years at Grace-St. Luke's, and I can honestly say the faculty and staff at every level are the most caring, dedicated professionals I've encountered in any educational setting. They regularly go above and beyond for the students at GSL, and I think that's what makes the school such a special place.
—Submitted by a parent

Grace St. Luke's has a lot of work to do to warrant the high tuition they are charging. The campus is tiny and the buildings are old and outdated. The athletic program is extremely weak and poorly run as compared to other private schools in the city. Discipline is lacking in the middle school. The teachers are the one bright spot. They are dedicated and hardworking and the circuluum has been improved recently.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Grace-St. Luke's. We are student's there and we can't imagine going anywhere else after eighth grade. This will be in two years. We love the coed environment. --GSL Girls ---GSL students
—Submitted by a student

This school is the greatest school in the galaxy .
—Submitted by a student

We have two children enrolled presently at GSL, and really haven't been overly impressed by the school based on the amount of money we pay to send them there, and it is a lot. Like the previous poster stated, the school is touted as a great school, but really academically, it offers everthing any school should offer a child, nothing more, nothing less. Also, the constant plea to donate money to the capital fund can become aggravating. GSL has a very intimate feel, as it is very small, but it lacks a lot of diversity. Parent involvement is encouraged, which is a plus, but functions almost have too much of a 'social' feel to them. Overall, academically the school is not too bad, but cultural, not just racial, diversity is minimal.
—Submitted by a parent