Looking Ahead to 2016-2017

It is hard to believe that we are at the halfway point of the Summer Break! Summer, for all of us in schools, is a time for renewal, new adventures and time away from the hectic schedule of the school year. Here at ESA, we have been busy with the usual preparations for the next school year: cleaning and repairing the physical plant, hiring and preparing schedules and calendars. All while running summer camps for all age groups from soccer to Suzuki strings to Harry Potter. This week begins summer workouts, when over 150 ESA athletes will begin to work in earnest to prepare for the upcoming athletic seasons. This week is also the week of the ESA Summer Leadership Institute. While we may slow down a little, we never really stop! It’s amazing to arrive to school as the Cross Country Team is finishing their morning workout, and then sit in on a planning session of the Student Council leadership. Such unbelievable dedication is a symptom of excellence, and part of the reason ESA is the premier school in Acadiana and the State.

And to top it all off, construction is in full swing at the Lower School on the Enrichment Center! I have included a couple of pictures showing the layout of the Enrichment Center once it is complete. (ESA Enrichment Center First Floor Plan and ESA Enrichment Center Second Floor Plan) I can’t wait to be able to show off this incredible space that pays homage to the boat-building past and lays the groundwork for the future. It is an inspiring time to be at ESA. We have also begun the process of looking at the Cade campus to update our master plan. In addition to these much-anticipated developments, we will spend the year working on:

That’s a big list, and it will take more than one year to complete. There will be many opportunities for input by all of our constituencies. One of the most important items on that list that I wanted to point out to everyone is the Self-Study. Every 10 years, as an independent school, we produce a document that summarizes who we are. In addition to documenting that we are adhering to the standards necessary of independent schools, we will review every aspect of ESA and present that as a report to a committee that will visit the school and look for evidence that we are doing what we say we do. This is part of the accreditation process for our association (Independent Schools Association of the Southwest – ISAS). There will be parent surveys and opportunities to serve on committees as we work on this, and we will make you aware of those opportunities as they become available.

It’s an exciting time, and as we get closer to the start of school, you will receive more detailed information about the events leading up to the first day of classes on August 17^th. For now, enjoy the freedom of summer and the expectation of the incredible school year that awaits us. Arete!!