Rooted in Tradition, Growing with Purpose
In the 2016-2017 academic year, St. James began the process of “growing down,” adding PreK-3. We now have three sections of PreK-3 and have added five early childhood classes for students ages 12 – 36 months. The retention rate of these students is high, leading to a shortage of classrooms for the Day School.
The time is now to expand onto the previously unutilized second floor of Killgore Hall to provide additional classrooms and create a true early childhood learning center, which we refer to as “The Pelican’s Nest.”
The St. James Difference
St. James is so much more than core academics. We are committed to the whole child offering nine enrichment classes. St. James is dedicated to project work, helping children learn through in-depth investigation of realworld topics. Students are encouraged to expand their knowledge through creative hands-on experiences that tap into their interests and energy.
Why Now?
The last community wide capital campaign by St. James Episcopal Day School was roughly twenty years ago, transforming a parking lot into the “Big Playground.” The smaller playground at the time was designed with PreK-4 and older students in mind, but we have since added PreK-3 and younger. As a result, it is important that we prioritize a refresh of playgrounds to ensure ample space and equipment for our school population. We envision safe, imaginative play spaces specifically designed to meet the needs of our students.

This $3.5 million renovation of Killgore Hall, Atkinson Building, and playgrounds will help propel St. James Episcopal Day School with the tools of education in place for our next 75 years and beyond.
Looking to the Future
St. James will fashion a cutting-edge, innovative teaching and learning space on the first floor of the Atkinson Building. This flexible space, allowing for grade level teams to hear from guest experts in the field, for teams of students to collaborate on projects, and for community members to be a part of project culmination, will solidify our ability to provide the very best kind of experiential learning for our students.
Growing Our Legacy
Our Campaign at a Glance
Phase I
Projected Construction – Summer 2025
Estimated Cost: $2.5 Million

Killgore Hall
A State-of-the-Art Early Education Learning Hub
By building out the second floor of Killgore Hall, St. James will establish 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 will include:
- 6 additional classrooms for PreK-3 and PreK-4
- A dedicated, age-specific space for exploration, innovation, and interactive learning;
- 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 is being 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 gains much needed classroom space, but this move also frees other spaces to be transformed for the lower and upper elementary students to learn and grow in creative hands-on ways. This renovation will include:
- 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


Phase II
Projected Construction – Summer 2026
Estimated Cost: $1 Million
Update & Reimagine Playground Space
Explore, Discover, & Create
The playground is where important social, emotional, and physical learning happens each and every school day at St. James. Like the classroom, the playground is an opportunity for exploration, discovery, and creativity. It has been roughly twenty years since the last playground refresh and now is the time to address this need once more. This renovation will include:
- Leveling the “Small Playground” space for our youngest learners and adding age-appropriate playscape structures and games for sensory, interactive, and imaginative play
- Renewing the play surfaces on the “Big Playground” for our lower and upper elementary school students
- Adding a new playscape structure for our older learners on the “Big Playground”
- Building an outdoor classroom and garden space behind Bishops Hall
- Ensuring all outdoor spaces meet children’s needs and exceed current safety standards.

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 sacriced 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: Avery Decuir, Director of Development
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
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