About Us

Welcome

Welcome to Grace Episcopal School, a co-ed, parochial school located within the Garden District of Monroe, Louisiana.  GES serves PreK-3 through Grade 8 in six parishes of Northeast Louisiana, including Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, Caldwell, Jackson, and Union.  Grace School is a parochial entity of Grace Episcopal Church, a parish within the Diocese of Western Louisiana.

GES is accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES).  It is also a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools and is approved by the Louisiana Department of Education.  GES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or in the administration of its admission, hiring, educational policies, financial aid programs, athletics, and other school administered programs.

Grace School is recognized for its heritage of academic excellence, its integrity of purpose, and its mission-driven respect for the unique spirit and possibility of its students and those who lead them.  One of the most important decisions parents are challenged to make for their family is the choice of the quality of education they will provide and the environment in which it will be nurtured.  Your interest in Grace Episcopal School is heartily welcomed; we invite you to become an integral part of our very promising future!


Mission

Grace Episcopal School provides a challenging curriculum that promotes academic excellence in a Christian environment in order to nurture each child’s spiritual, intellectual, ethical, and physical development.  Grace Episcopal School embraces diversity among its faculty and student body.


Student Philosophy and Goals

As a student of Grace Episcopal School, I will strive to develop as an individual who:

  • Exhibits curiosity, discernment, and reflection as life-long learners.
  • Promotes a spirit of friendliness.
  • Develops good manners and consideration of others.
  • Sees opportunities to lead and serve through civic participation and community outreach.
  • Achieves a balanced life based on spiritual, emotional, and physical health.
  • Makes ethical decisions, acts with integrity, and accepts responsibility for my actions.
  • Demonstrates self-confidence and discipline in applying my unique gifts and talents.
  • Develops an appropriate sense of humor.  Collaborates to accomplish goals, solve problems, and solve conflict.  Recognizes global interdependence, by working for justice and promoting peace.

Student Code of Honor

  • I will be honest in all matters regarding the life of the School.  My word may be trusted, and I will strive to be fair.
  • I will respect others.
  • I will not undermine our life together by taking or defacing that which belongs to another.
  • I will not infringe upon the rights of others to learn.
  • I will do all I can to uphold and defend this Code, demonstrating to others that its existence is at the heart of the quality of our life together.

History

Grace Episcopal School was founded in 1954 as St. Christopher’s Episcopal Day School by Grace Episcopal Church under the leadership of Rector John Maury Allin, later to become the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and June Strausser, serving as the Head of School for nearly three decades.  In August, 1985, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Day School was renamed Grace Episcopal School to emphasize its relationship to the Parish of Grace.  In 1987, expansion to Grade Eight was added completing the Middle School expansion.  Bishop Allin and June Strausser set into motion a tradition of preparing students for academic excellence and for nurturing spiritual development.  Their vision of developing a school that emphasizes individualized learning, spiritual growth, diverse experiences and a close partnership of school and home was realized and is still felt today --- more than 50 years later.


From the Head of School

Welcome to Grace Episcopal School (GES)! For over fifty years, GES has provided an outstanding education to children in Northeast Louisiana. According to its mission, “Grace Episcopal School provides a challenging curriculum that promotes academic excellence in a Christian environment in order to nurture each child’s spiritual, intellectual, ethical, and physical development. Grace Episcopal School embraces diversity among its faculty and student body.”

 

At GES, we live our mission. We have weekly worship services for all students, and the Episcopal Church is well known for its commitment to diversity. Grace students represent many different religions and belief systems, and all are welcome and embraced. To prepare our students to succeed tomorrow, we believe strongly in developing and encouraging students to explore their creative side. Author Daniel Pink, in his book A Whole New Mind, explores the importance of the right-brain’s rise into prominence. While much of the twentieth century rewarded individuals who excelled in left-brained, analytical thinking skills, Pink and many others believe that the twenty first century will be dominated by right-brained (creative) thinkers.

 

Students at GES explore their creative side. They work, play and have fun, and we do our best to make sure that we are developing socially responsible individuals who are committed to giving back to others. Please take the time to come visit us. You are always welcome, and once you visit, we hope that you will have a sense of why we are so proud of our community!


Sincerely,


David N. Rath, Ed.D.
Head of School

 

Governance

Grace School is a parochial entity of Grace Episcopal Church governed by a self-perpetuating, volunteer Board of Trustees, responsible to the Vestry of the Church.  The Trustee’s primary responsibility is to employ the Head of School, support, and assess the Head’s performance.  The Board also monitors the success of the School in fulfilling its mission, determines the policies that govern the School, has the fiduciary responsibility of approving the annual budget, and oversees the strategic planning process.

The Head of School serves as the chief educational, operating and administrative officer of the School and professional advisor to the Board.  The Head is responsible for providing mission-appropriate excellence throughout all aspects of the daily operation of the School, anticipating and interpreting its developing needs and the community it serves.  The Head is responsible for carrying out the policies, goals, and strategic plan established by the Board of Trustees and provisions of Canon Law relating to the operation and governance of Episcopal Schools.


Driving Directions

View Maps with driving directions to get to our campus.