About Us

Mission & History

Our Mission

Ascension Episcopal School is committed to educational excellence in a Christian environment.

Vision

Ascension Episcopal School is dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment in which we help each other identify, grow, and utilize our unique, God-given gifts and talents to build affirming relationships, to serve others, and to glorify God.

List of 3 items.

  • Episcopal Identity

    As embodiments of the Christian faith, Episcopal schools are created to be communities that honor, celebrate, and worship God as the center of life. They are created to be models of God’s love and grace. They are created to serve God in Christ in all persons, regardless of origin, background, ability, or religion. They are created to “strive for justice and peace among all people and [to] respect the dignity of every human being.” These principles are the basis on which identity and vocation are to be defined in Episcopal schools. (National Association of Episcopal Schools)

  • School Prayer

    O Heavenly Father, who has given us Thy Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer and friend: help us to understand His friendship, and to do such things that will please Him. Bless us in our work and our play. Make us gentle, generous, truthful, kind and brave. Keep us in purity of heart, and let the life of our school go on from strength to strength and have its place and meaning in Thy Kingdom: all of which we ask through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

  • Our Philosophy

    At Ascension, we value:
    • Developmentally appropriate values and goals
    • Each student’s individuality as a child of God
    • A positive self-image
    • Christian morals and teachings in the Episcopal tradition
    • The ability to think creatively and critically
    • A curriculum that maximizes each student’s potential
    • A teaching environment that is exciting, challenging, and fun
    • The development of a healthy body

Ascension's Core Values

Gentle, Generous, Truthful, Kind, and Brave

Our History

  • 1950s

    • In the late 1950s, recognizing the excellent reputation of Episcopal schools, a young mother dreamed of a parish day school for her children.
    • With the support of The Rev. David J. Coughlin, Rector of Ascension Parish, and several dedicated parishioners and professionals, Jeanette Parker organized Ascension Day School with a kindergarten class of 17 in the fall of 1959 and served as Headmistress until 1968.

  • 1960-1969

    • New educational building completed and the two preschool classes (29 total students) moved into their new classrooms
    • Grades 1-6 were added
    • School uniforms changed to black watch plaid that still serves as the uniforms for lower school students today
    • Students traveled to Washington DC and Williamsburg for educational trip
    • First graduation ceremony was held for 13 sixth graders
    • First parents’ organization was formed

  • 1970-1979

    • Curriculum and long-range planning committees were formed
    • A class for 3-year olds was offered
    • First school crest was designed by librarian Peggy Nolan and parent Harriet Magruder
    • First Haunted House Fundraiser held
    • Johnston Street building acquired to house art classes and 8th grade

  • 1980-1989

    • Students traveled to NYC and Williamsburg and Washington DC for study trips
    • New construction for Early Learning Center completed at St. Barnabas
    • Two playgrounds, designed by nationally known architect Bob Leathers, constructed simultaneously by ADS parents and community volunteers
    • Additional property purchased to house art and music classes
    • First ADS Auction held, replacing the annual Haunted House
    • The Jane Welsh Hamlin Service Award established to honor a faculty member for achievement and exemplary service in a volunteer role

  • 1990-1999

    • Expansion of the library completed and a full-time computer teacher hired
    • ADS reaccredited by ISAS, and for the first time, accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools.
    • New classroom building constructed and dedicated as part of ADS’ 35th Birthday Celebration
    • First Annual Fund Campaign held
    • The Romero Music building on Johnston Street purchased and renovations began to make it a school library
    • The Miles Perret Memorial Sundial was completed and dedicated
    • A sixth-grade class was added to begin the re-establishment of the ADS Middle School

  • 2000-2004

    • Construction completed on Will Shepherd Memorial Activity Center
    • First 8th-grade graduation of the newly re-established ADS Middle School held
    • First Middle School educational trip – 8th grade traveled to Boston
    • Groundbreaking ceremony held for Early Learning Center located at River Ranch campus
    • ADS recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School.
    • Parker Hall, the new middle school building named after Founding Head Jeanette Parker, was dedicated and the middle school moved in.
    • Business plan developed for the addition of an Upper School approved by the Vestry

  • 2005-2009

    • Hurricane Katrina brought 136 students, representing 70 relocated families, to ADS.
    • The high school opened for the 2006-07 school year with 17 ninth and tenth grade students and was housed in rented space at First Baptist Church.
    • A name change - from Ascension Day School to Ascension Episcopal School
    • Ascension accepted into the LHSAA for athletic competition
    • The Sugar Mill Pond Campus (SMP) opened in the Spring of 2009
    • First Homecoming Court elected
    • First home football games played at Clark Field
    • First high school graduating class (2009)
    • Ascension Episcopal School celebrated 50 years

  • 2010-2019

    • Science students competed in Science Olympiad for first time
    • First Ascension individual state champion swimming athlete - Victoria Barczyk
    • First Homecoming Parade on SMP campus
    • Tennis courts & softball field constructed at SMP campus
    • First National Merit Scholar - Garrett Dupre
    • Blue Gator Football field constructed & dedicated
    • Blue Gator mascot re-designed with new branding
    • Recognized as “Apple Distinguished School”
    • First girls state championship Tennis team
    • First high school in the southern US to perform Phantom of the Opera
    • First all-school convocation held in August 2019
    • Ascension Episcopal School celebrated 60 years

  • 2020 - Present

    • Implemented HyFlex program due to COVID-19
    • Live-streamed hundreds of events and chapels
    • New Associate Head of School for Academics position created
    • Gator Jazz wins first National Championship
    • Middle School Student Council named National Gold Council of Excellence for first time
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P. 337-233-9748
F. 337-269-9768

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When it comes to our children, one of the most important gifts we can provide for them is opportunity. It not only prepares them for their future but also gives them the independence to discover and define who they are: who they want to be. Our faculty and staff focus on developing the whole child, with a curriculum designed to teach lifelong learning skills.