Growing Our Legacy
Phase II
Projected Construction – Summer 2026
Estimated Cost: $1 Million
Update & Reimagine Playground Space
We are proud to announce the launch of Phase 2 of the Growing Our Legacy capital campaign, a transformational reimagining of our beloved “Big Playground.” This space has long been a place of joy and friendship for our students. Now, we have the opportunity to create something truly extraordinary.
Our vision is to transform the two spaces that make up the “Big Playground” into a dynamic outdoor environment that nurtures not only the whole child, but rather every child. At the bottom of this email, you will find a rendering of the playground design that brings this vision to life. The redesigned play areas will feature two distinct spaces linked by a blue rubberized track.
Playground Space #1 (to be named)
A versatile space for play, team building, and community, including:
- New turf for safe, active play
- Improved visibility and accessibility to enhance safety
- A connecting track linking the turf field to the activity court
- A new spider web climbing structure for balance and motor development
- A putting green to encourage coordination and fun
- Built-in soccer goals and kickball/baseball bases for team sports
- A designated shaded picnic area for rest and gathering
- A dedicated space for our three flags, beautifully framed by commemorative bricks
Playground Space #2 (to be named)
A vibrant, rubberized space designed for movement, exploration and creativity, featuring:
- A versatile berm-surrounded space that serves as both a stage for dramatic play and an outdoor classroom where learning extends beyond four walls
- Courts for pickleball, basketball, foursquare, and hopscotch
- A safe, durable, and accessible multi-use playing surface
- An oversized chess and checkers board for strategic play
- Growing and digging gardens to foster curiosity and hands-on exploration
- A smaller climbing structure designed for additional play opportunities
This reimagined space will be more than a playground. It will be a living classroom where imagination thrives, lessons come to life, and children experience the joy of discovery and play.
As with every step of this campaign, we cannot accomplish this without you. The strength of St. James has always been its community of parents, grandparents, parishioners, and friends who believe deeply in our mission. If you were part of Phase 1, we are grateful and invite you to consider continuing your support with a gift to Phase 2. We also welcome new participation from all who feel called to be part of this exciting next chapter.
In order to complete this project by the beginning of the school year, we are seeking strong early participation from the entire community. We invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift now. Your generosity will directly impact the daily lives of our students and help create a space where they can learn, grow, and flourish for years to come.
Phase I – COMPLETED
Projected Construction – Summer 2025
Estimated Cost: $2.5 Million
KILLGORE HALL
The Graves Family Early Education Center
By building out the second floor of Killgore Hall, St. James established a true early childhood learning center that is specifically designed to meet the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of children at this important time in their life. This renovation included:
- 6 additional classrooms for PreK-3 and PreK-4
- A dedicated, age-specific space for exploration, innovation, and interactive learning (The SPARK Studio)
- An enclosed, conditioned corridor that protects students and teachers in the stairwell and between classrooms
ATKINSON BUILDING
Maker, Creator, Art, and Science Enrichment Center
The first floor of the Atkinson Building has been transformed into an immersive learning space where knowledge, curiosity, and creativity meet. With PreK-3 and PreK-4 moving to Killgore Hall, St. James not only gained much needed classroom space, but this move also freed other spaces to be transformed for the lower and upper elementary students to learn and grow in creative hands-on ways. This renovation included:
- Creating a centralized innovative space across the first floor in Atkinson housing a visual art studio, maker space, and Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) Lab
- Opening two adjacent classrooms with the current library to create flexible learning and project space
- Designing new classroom spaces in Werlein Hall with the movement of certain Enrichment Classes will keep grade cohorts next to each other
- Refreshing other spaces throughout the Atkinson Building and Werlein Hall as needed
SMALL PLAYGROUND
Convention Street
Our “Small Playground” has been leveled and thoughtfully redesigned with our youngest learners in mind. This refreshed space features age-appropriate play structures and engaging elements that encourage sensory exploration, interactive fun, and imaginative play. A custom-designed playhouse, rolling hills, a tunnel, and a tricycle track provide endless opportunities for our PreK and Kindergarten students to play, learn, and grow.
We Need You to Help Us Grow
It is not often that an elementary school is in a position to need and perform such an ambitious endeavor. For over 75 years, we have been blessed by the generosity of the good people of St. James Church and Day School community who have given and sacri ced to make the Day School what it is today. Now is our opportunity from a place of thanksgiving to help St. James Episcopal Day School meet the needs and challenges of the next 75 years.
“Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
~Matthew 19:14
1. Donate or Make a Pledge Online
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for online payments.
2. Write A Check
Drop off a check to our school’s front office or mail a check made payable to St. James Episcopal Day School to:
445 Convention Street
Attn: Catherine Word
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
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