Epiphany Day School, established in 1982, provides a challenging academic program for
students with average and above average ability. While emphasis is concentrated in traditional
academic areas, enrichment courses are provided to complete a well-rounded curriculum intended to
prepare students for a college preparatory program. EDS seeks to foster love of learning, to teach
students the skills of independent thinking as a basis for self-education, and to provide a religious
education rooted in the Christian faith as practiced by the Episcopal Church.
Mission Statement
Epiphany Day School, a mission of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, is a coeducational
Episcopal school for a diverse student body from Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth
Grade. Its goal is to provide a thorough academic program to meet the needs of its students in a
Judeo-Christian environment. The school is committed to foster excellence in education by
developing the students to their full potential intellectually, spiritually, physically, and morally.
Spirituality
Epiphany’s spirituality is rooted in the Episcopal tradition of Morning Prayer, which is led
daily by our fifth grade class. It is considered a privilege for the fifth graders to vest and lead this
service. This daily ritual grounds our school in prayer and thanksgiving.
All grades, PK2 – 5th, participate in weekly Christian Education class. The school is
centered in the Episcopal tradition, which is sensitive to the education of children of all faiths.
Lessons are based on Old and New Testament Biblical stories, as well as Christian character and
values. We seek to nurture and affirm the faith of each individual child.
Students also participate in Community Service projects such as the Toys for Tots Drive,
Food/Supply Drives for Solomon House Outreach Center, PAAWS – foster program and pet
adoption center, St. Jude’s Math-A-Thon, visits with elderly, and local Adopt-a-Family program.
Campus and Facility
Epiphany Day School is nestled next to the 150-year-old Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
at the western end of beautiful downtown New Iberia. The campus is comprised of six classroom
buildings, an administration building, two outdoor pavilions, and three separate playground areas on
approximately one acre. Several buildings were formerly charming older homes, and the cozy
setting presents a unique village-like atmosphere. In addition, Epiphany Day School students begin
each day with a chapel service in the historic Church of the Epiphany, with its gothic-style
architecture and Tiffany stained glass window. Students also enjoy the daily use of the parish hall
for music classes and various performances. An art studio is the setting of students’ weekly
instruction in the visual arts, and Epiphany Day School’s library maintains a collection of over
9,000 volumes.
Epiphany Day School is committed to technological progress and has developed a
comprehensive, state-approved technology plan that will take the school through 2012. The school
has over 100 computers, of which 52 are in classrooms. Epiphany’s computer lab sports twenty-one
computers, and every classroom has at least one computer station for student use. All
computers are networked throughout the campus, and classrooms have high speed internet service
and are cable-ready. Furthermore, interactive whiteboards have recently been installed, including one portable unit. With more coming during this school year, we will have six classrooms and the speech department utilizing the latest in classroom technology. The system makes use of Activslate,
Activote, and Activstudio components.
Academics and Enrichment
Epiphany Day School is a co-educational Episcopal school for a diverse student body from
pre-kindergarten (2-year-olds) through fifth grade. The school provides a challenging academic
program for students with average to above-average ability. While emphasis is concentrated on
traditional academic areas, a strong core curriculum works in concert with Fine Arts enrichment
courses to complete a well-rounded primary education intended to prepare students for a college
preparatory program.
Strong core curriculum in grades pre-kindergarten (2-year-olds) through fifth grade.
Standardized Testing:
• Entrance Examination – Wechsler Pre-School
Scale for Intelligence (WPSSI) is administered to
students entering Kindergarten. Results are a
useful tool to identify the strengths and needs of
students entering elementary school.
• Stanford Achievement Tests are administered
annually to Kindergarten through Fifth grade.
Fine Arts Enrichment Programs that are staffed by certified faculty with daily, bi-weekly or
weekly instruction include:
Art, Christian Education, Computer Science, French, Library, Music, and Physical Education
Extracurricular Activities on and off campus include:
Piano & Voice Lessons, Scouting, 4-H, District League Sports (volleyball, softball), Tutoring,
Iberia Performing Arts League (a local community theater), and 4th & 5th grade participation with
ESA Middle School athletic teams.
Accomplishments
Epiphany Day School enjoys recognition of its students and faculty for their academic,
extracurricular and service achievements. Some examples are:
• Academic recognition of individual student writing submissions by the State of Louisiana’s
Young Author’s Association at the parish, regional and/or State levels of competition.
• Enrichment program recognition of individual student art projects through local and state
competitions such as the “Les Jeunes Amis” Art Show and the State of Louisiana’s Annual
Art Contest.
• Fourth and Fifth grade extracurricular District Volleyball and Softball teams ranked 1st, 2nd
or 3rd place in the NIRD league over the course of a five-year period.
• Epiphany Day School alumni (who completed their elementary education at EDS) rank
amongst top students in their respective high schools. Alumni consistently achieved
Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Honor Court, National Merit Scholars and National Honor
Society recognition for the past five years.
• Epiphany Day School has received Outstanding Community Service recognition from both
Solomon House Community Outreach Center, Big Brother’s and Big Sister’s of New Iberia,
the Iberia Parish Men’s Shelter, Iberia Parish Humane Society, and St. Jude’s Children’s
Research Hospital.
Students, Faculty and Staff
Stable Enrollment – 238 students (maximum capacity 250)
Pre-K – Kindergarten – 90 students or 39% of student base
1st – 5th grades – 148 students or 61% of student base
Faculty/Staff – 41 (full and part time employees)
• In addition, one Speech Pathologist is commissioned through Iberia Parish School Board
• 100% faculty participation for InTel training through Iberia Parish School Board
• Iberia Parish School Board provides nationally recognized speakers for faculty in-service
programs (Some in-service provided on-site at EDS)
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette Gumbo-U and Lagniappe courses available
• Faculty support through Iberia Parish Special Education Services for Gifted & Talented,
as well as SPED (speech therapy/social integration/sensory integration/occupational
therapy consultation)
Faculty to Student Average Ratios:
Pre-K 2 1:12 with one aide
Pre-K 3&4 1:16 with one aide
Kindergarten 1:16 with one aide (maximum of 20 students)
1st – 5th 1:16 ideal (maximum of 20 students)
Administrative Staff:
Administrative Assistant to Head of School
Full time Receptionist
Full time in-house bookkeeper/in-house technical support
Part time Development Director (Marketing/Fund Development/Advancement/PR)
Faculty/Board Liaisons – Three Faculty Volunteers/Lead Teachers **based on statistics from 2008-2009
Parental Involvement
Epiphany Day School has always benefited from an extremely high amount of parental
involvement. The Parents’ Club raises an average of over $50,000 annually, a portion of which is
placed in the operating fund and a portion of which is used to fund the Teacher Wish List. On any
school day you can find one or all members of the Parent’s Club on campus fulfilling their duties or
just helping out in general. Parents’ Club activities include: Pumpkin Patch, Cookie Dough sale,
Family Fun Day, Spring Auction, and participation in the Sugar Cane Festival Children’s Parade.
School Governance and Finances
School Governance:
Epiphany Day School is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, consisting of 13
dedicated volunteers. The board has the sole fiduciary responsibility for the school, including the
authority to hire the Head. Reflecting the long lasting relationship between Epiphany Day School
and the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, the school’s by-laws require that the board consist of 6
community members, 5 parishioners of the Church and 2 ex-officios. Epiphany Day School has
always worked well with and enjoyed a very happy and mutually supportive relationship with the
Church through Board representation and the leadership of the rector.
Finances:
Epiphany Day School currently has a $1.3 million annual budget, and the administration has
been able to outperform its annual financial plan for the past several years through careful planning
and execution. With this, Epiphany Day School carries very little debt and is, financially, a very
strong academic institution. Epiphany Day School benefits from both a very generous parent group
and community support. With this support we have been able to keep pace with the ever-changing
needs of a successful private school.
About the Community
Located in south-central Louisiana, New Iberia offers a unique blend of small town values, a
rich French-Acadian culture, strong economic support from agricultural and oil and gas industries,
and a celebration of wildlife. The city was founded along the banks of Bayou Teche with a mixture
of Spanish and French settlers that flourished on the growth of the sugar cane plantations, steamboattraffic between New Iberia and New Orleans, and, later, the cypress lumber industry. Today, the city enjoys a boon in the oil and gas industry while maintaining a close tie to its roots in agriculture with sugar cane crops and exploring a rich artistic expression. It is hard to imagine a town that is more rooted in its rich cultural ties yet is prepared to meet the challenges of the new century.
Education is the focus at Epiphany Day School, which boasts a strong tie to the Episcopal
School of Acadiana located in Cade, Louisiana, and other local area schools. These partnerships
help our students excel in education at all levels and achieve the goals set by themselves, parents,
and teachers, not only in a local setting, but also prepares the students for other opportunities
statewide and nationally. New Iberia, population 35,000, is located approximately thirty (30)
minutes south of Lafayette, which has a population of over 100,000. The University of Louisiana at
Lafayette, which enrolls over 17,000 students, offers an excellent opportunity for advancement in
education with curricula including engineering, education, and liberal arts, among many other
specialized degrees. New Iberia is also located just over an hour southwest of the State Capitol,
Baton Rouge, which is the home of Louisiana State University. In the south, it’s also about sports,
and our community yields opportunities and facilities for all who love sports.
Visit the following links to learn more about community education:
Epiphany Day School: www.epiphanydayschool.com
Episcopal School of Acadiana: www.esacadiana.com
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: www.louisiana.edu
Louisiana State University: www.lsu.edu
The rich cultural history of New Iberia is celebrated both locally and regionally through
numerous restaurants, festivals and cook-offs. New Iberia celebrates its agricultural ties with the
Sugarcane Festival annually in late September. Come try your hand at our Cajun staple in our
annual Gumbo Cook-Off, or join us at events and exhibitions at the Shadows-on-the-Teche, an
antebellum home that is registered on the National Trust for Historic sites. Take a stroll with us on
our annual Art Walk of historical Main Street shops. If this doesn’t satisfy your desire to explore
south Louisiana’s festivals, you might want to check out the world famous Festival International de
Louisiane in Lafayette, or the many other regional festivals celebrated throughout south Louisiana.
The Lafayette Cajundome also serves as home to regional sporting events and national concert
tours, with the adjacent convention center drawing crowds for a multitude of shows and events. Be
sure to explore our rich culture on the following websites:
Festival International de Louisiane: http://www.festivalinternational.com
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival: http://www.hisugar.org
Shadows on the Teche: http://www.shadowsontheteche.org
Lafayette Cajundome: http://www.cajundome.com
South Louisiana offers some of the most thrilling outdoor experiences in the country. As a
migratory pathway for waterfowl located among a breathtaking natural setting, this area of the
county celebrates a rich wildlife and unique estuary environment for several species. Enjoy our
waterways for boating and canoeing or our gentle sloping land for golf and hiking. Journey to our
lakes, ponds, bayous, rivers, and coast to catch a variety of fresh and saltwater fish. Visit many of
our refuges or preserves for game hunting or even catching a few crawfish and crabs. The choice is
yours as the list is of options is endless if you love the outdoors. Don’t miss out on the following
links to acquaint yourself with our natural setting:
Louisiana Sportsman: http://www.louisianasportsman.com
LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries: http://www.wlf.state.la.us
Cypremort State Park: http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/icyprempt.aspx
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park: http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ilakefaus.aspx
Toledo Bend Recreational Area: http://www.toledobend.com
The more you learn about Epiphany Day School and its setting in South Louisiana, the more
you will want to join us in the heart of Cajun country. Our community offers the charm of a small
town with its rich Acadian culture and history. Explore the following additional links to begin your
journey to South Louisiana:
City of New Iberia: www.cityofnewiberia.com
Iberia Chamber of Commerce: www.iberiachamber.org
Lafayette Chamber of Commerce: www.lafayettechamber.org
Broussard Chamber of Commerce: www.broussardla.com
Youngsville Chamber of Commerce: www.youngsvillechamber.org