Sponsored by St. James Episcopal Day School

St. James Episcopal Day School in downtown Baton Rouge turned the city itself into a living classroom. Through a distinctive approach called “Project Work,” students from PreK-3 through fifth grade learn to see themselves as part of a larger community – one they can observe, understand and help shape.

“One of the big things about St. James is we value community,” says Lynley Rhodes, first-grade teacher. “With our Downtown Neighborhood project, we wanted downtown to become a living classroom.”

At St. James, learning thrives when students take the lead. Rather than relying on textbooks, teachers guide six to eight-week projects, where topics align with academic standards, but the direction is driven by inquiry and curiosity.

“Teachers initiate student-worthy, child-centered projects with the bigger curriculum and milestones in mind,” explains Kristen Cascio, librarian, “The day-to-day lessons, field experiences and guest experts truly set it apart from a more traditional approach so our students gain an authentic sense of ownership over their learning. In the end, they become the experts.”

A recent first-grade project took full advantage of St. James’s downtown location. Students visited the courthouse, where they watched and participated in a mock trial; walked to a local pizzeria to interview the manager; and met with their rector, Father Chris Duncan, to hear stories about the history of St. James Church and School.

“They were able to experience something that many people never get the chance to see,” Rhodes says of the courthouse visit. After a trip to a local pizzeria, students designed and conducted surveys about favorite pizza toppings, applying their observations in a meaningful way. What began as a simple question of “Why do buildings have windows?” grew into a deeper exploration of stained glass, art and light after Father Chris introduced the children to the church’s historic windows, including one with a connection to Tiffany.

Project work, Rhodes explains, is as much about building skills as it is about learning content. “It teaches children how to observe, notice, question, wonder, communicate and collaborate,” she says. “They also learn resilience. When an idea for a representation doesn’t work, they’re encouraged to revisit it, refine it and try again,” Rhodes says. “They learn to be problem solvers, because sometimes their idea didn’t work, and we can go back and improve.”

Cascio sees a transformation in how students share their learning. “The children are learning, how do I present to different ages or different audiences?” she says. “They’re definitely learning huge communication pieces that they’ll use for the rest of their lives.”

At the school-wide culminating event, Pelican Project Palooza, parents and grandparents were invited to explore each grade level and hear directly from students about their learning. The halls showcased an array of student work: models, drawings, watercolors, teaching posters, games and other creative representations bringing their projects to life.

“When students realize that their ideas matter, there’s so much more buy-in,” Rhodes notes. “When you walk into a classroom that is doing project work, every child is engaged, because they feel what they’re doing is purposeful and meaningful.”

Behind this vibrant scene is a strong commitment from the school itself. “When we made the decision to prioritize project work, we wanted to do it with fidelity,” says Bridget Henderson, Head of School. Nearly every faculty member has trained at the Duke School, whose model St. James follows, and a recent capital campaign funded a new Enrichment Center with a dedicated project room.

“We have not only embraced project work in its fullest,” Henderson says, “but we have dedicated resources and space to making sure that we are providing the children with everything they need.”

For families seeking a child-centered, community-connected education, St. James Episcopal Day School offers something rare: a rich learning environment grounded in a seven-decade legacy of academic excellence, steeped in the Episcopal faith, and woven into meaningful experiences that help children discover their unique gifts and their place in the wider world – right in the heart of Baton Rouge’s historic downtown.

Visit stjameseds.org to learn more.