PK3 through 5th Grade

ESA Lower School offers an experience like no other. Our youngest students encounter science, art, music, design thinking, and the wonder of learning. The foundational skills our students learn as they pursue their interests prepare them for any challenges they face.

How to Apply

List of 3 items.

Step 1: Attend a Preview Day or schedule a tour.

We host Preview Days throughout the fall and winter. Register here for an upcoming event.

Or schedule a private tour with our lower school admissions coordinator.
Step 2: Submit an online application.

To apply online, please complete our Online Application.

You are welcome to submit an application at any time. Several of our Lower School classes are nearly full. We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible to be considered for the next school year.
Step 3: Schedule a screening.
Screening consists of two stages: testing and a shadow day. Testing instruments vary by grade level. A shadow day gives students an opportunity to visit in a classroom and experience a typical day at ESA.
- PK3 and PK4
1. Brigance Early Childhood Screening (about 15 minutes)
2. Shadow Day - PK3 applicants visit a PK3 classroom from 7:30 to 11:00am. PK4 applicants visit from 7:30am to 12:30pm.
- Kindergarten and 1st
1. Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test, writing sample, and creativity assessments (about an hour to complete all)
2. Shadow Day - Kindergarten applicants visit from 7:30am to 1:00pm. First grade applicants visit from 7:30am to 2:00pm.
Grades 2 - 5
Independent Schools Entrance Exam (ISEE), writing sample, and creativity assessments (about an hour and a half to complete all)

ISEE is an online standardized test administered on our campus. Parents are provided with information about how to register directly with Educational Records Bureau (ERB), the producer of the test. The registration fees, paid directly to ERB, are $125 for grades 2-4, and $155 for grade 5. Testing for grades 2-4 takes between an hour to an hour and a half; testing for 5th graders takes between two and a half to three hours. Breaks are scheduled within that time.

Shadow Day - Second through fifth-grade applicants visit from 7:30am to 2:00pm.

Application Forms

FAQ

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

Does ESA provide bus service to and from school?

Yes. ESA students come from seven different parishes around Acadiana, and ESA offers several morning and afternoon bus stops in Acadiana for Middle and Upper School students. Buses also run between the Cade campus and the Lafayette campus in the morning and afternoon for Lower School students.
Is there a before and aftercare program?

Yes. The Lafayette campus has a before and aftercare program for PK3 through 5th grade students. Parents who participate in this program may drop off their children at 7:05 a.m. and pick them up by 5:30 p.m.
What are the hours of a typical school day?

School starts at 8:00 a.m. for all students, but pick-up times are staggered for the afternoon according to the age of the oldest child.

PK3-PK4: 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
K-2nd grade: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
3rd-5th: 8:00 a.m.-3:10 p.m.
6th -12th: 8:00 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Do you have a hot lunch program?

Yes. Lunchbox Live provides the lunch program on both campuses. Each day, area restaurants offer lunch options that are delivered to campus. Alternatively, students may bring a snack and lunch.

List of 1 members.

Beverly Burgin

Lower School Admissions and Parent Engagement Coordinator

(337) 993-2263 x418

Episcopal School of Acadiana

Episcopal School of Acadiana is a private coeducational day school for students in grades PK3 through 12. Our mission is to instill in every student the habits of scholarship and honor.