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Intimate class sizes and low student-teacher ratios are at the heart of joyful learning here at Palisades Episcopal School. Ours is a unique learning environment that fosters curiosity and creativity in your child. At PES, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We celebrate individual strengths and talents to help students find a lifelong love of learning and a path that amplifies their unique gifts.
PES is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). In addition, PES is a proud member of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES).
One of the sweetest rhythms of this school year has been the introduction of Chapel Families Chapel. On Chapel Families Chapel day, students step out of their usual classrooms and gather in mixed-age groups, where the oldest and youngest learn, listen, and create side by side. It is a beautiful reminder that community here is something we practice, not just something we talk about.
This month, our Chapel Families decorated ornaments for the PES Christmas tree at the heart of campus. Inside each ornament, students tucked prayers, hopes, and wishes for the Christmas season and for the year ahead. There were quiet moments of sharing, thoughtful conversations, and plenty of helping hands as students worked together across every grade level.
In the midst of a busy season, this felt especially meaningful. Christmas invites us to slow down, to care for one another, and to remember the gift of being known and loved. Watching our students live that out together, with sincerity and joy, was a gift in itself.
This week, our 3rd and 4th graders headed off campus for an exciting day at the Children’s Theatre, watching stories come alive in a way that only a live performance can. After the show, the day continued outdoors with time to explore Uptown Charlotte and enjoy being together beyond the classroom walls.
At PES, we believe that field trips like these are so important to our students’ education! They stretch learning beyond desks and whiteboards and invite students to connect ideas to the wider world. They build independence, spark curiosity, and give students shared experiences that deepen friendships and enrich classroom conversations.
We are extremely grateful for the chance to learn beyond our campus and for a city that offers so many opportunities to see, explore, and experience together!
Each December, our Kindergarten students take turns sharing their favorite family Christmas tradition with the class. Over the years it has become one of the moments Kindergarten looks forward to most.
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There’s something so wonderful about watching a child’s face light up as they talk about the rituals that matter most in their home…the special cookies they bake, the songs they sing, the ornaments with stories behind them, or the cozy routines that make December feel magical.
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This year, we’ve already had an indoor snowball fight, made marshmallow snowmen, and decorated creative picture frames for Christmas photos. Every story is its own little snapshot of what families cherish, and the students love hearing the many ways Christmas looks and feels in each home.
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What makes it even sweeter is how the other students listen and cheer each other on. You can feel the classroom shift into a little community that understands one another just a bit better. It’s festive, it’s heartfelt, and it’s one of our favorite December traditions at PES!