About Us
Nestled on a nine-acre campus in the Palisades Community, PES offers North and South Carolina students a well-rounded education through joyful, hands-on academic and recreational pursuits. Schedule a visit to learn more about all we have to offer.
- Average Student Teacher Ratio of 9:1
- Optimal Class Size: 18 for JK & K, 20 for 1-8
- Nationally ranked in the 92nd percentile based on student testing scores
- 72% of Middle School Scholars receive the President’s Award for Outstanding Excellence
- Middle School Latin students consistently take 1st Place in their division at the Annual North Carolina Junior Classical League Convention
- 100% of students participate in Visual and Performing Arts
- 90% of students participate in Middle School Athletics
- Accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
- PES is a proud member of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES)
Experience the Wonder of PES
We are eager to share the joyful atmosphere of PES with you. Schedule a visit at a time that’s convenient for your schedule.
Program Overview
PES instills in students a joyful love of learning, social responsibility and strong moral character by focusing on the art of learning. Children learn more, grow confidently and feel better prepared when the atmosphere is one of joyful discovery. Our well-rounded students excel and are prepared to be lifelong learners and world changers. We accomplish this through:
- Daily Devotions
- Weekly Chapel Service
- Integrated Service Learning
- Off-Campus Learning Opportunities
- Humanities and Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- History and World Studies
- Foreign Languages (Spanish and Latin)
- Art and Music
- Performing Arts
- Physical Education
- Middle School Athletics
- Girls on the Run
- Equestrian
- Afterschool Offerings
Joyful
Our Student Body
PES is proud to offer a diverse environment that helps students respect and appreciate varied backgrounds and views.
Ethnicity/Racial Identification (2021-2022 school year)
- Caucasian 61%
- African-American 20%
- Multi-Ethnic 11%
- Latino/Hispanic 6%
- Asian-American 2%
Religious Affiliations (2021-2022 school year)
- Non-Denominational Christian 49%
- Catholic 12%
- Non-reporting 11%
- Episcopal 7%
- Methodist 6%
- Baptist 6%
- Presbyterian 5%
- Lutheran 3%
- Other 1%
Socio-Economic Diversity – a vibrant Indexed Tuition Program ensures socio-economic diversity at PES.
Leadership
Team Members
Kerin Hughes
Head of School
Sybil Cohn
Lower School Director
Emily Frye
Director of Equestrian
Monique Gilbert
Director of Advancement
Rusty Menchaca
Athletic Director
Shanna Morales
Business Manager
Melissa Puno
Middle School Director
Our Mission
Palisades Episcopal School (PES) is a school honoring Christ and committed to providing a classical education challenging the mind, body and spirit.
PES is accredited by both the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In addition, PES is a proud member of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Board of Trustees
John D. Williams, Chairman
Domtar / President & CEO
Charles T. Davidson, Vice Chairman
Moorland Consulting Group / President
Jim Fussell, Treasurer
The Fussell Group / Founder
Dr. Stephanie Jackson, Secretary
Pleasant Mill Pediatric Dentistry / Partner
The Reverend Josh Bowron
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church / Reverend
Peter C. Browning
Peter Browning Partners, LLC / Founder
Dr. Steven Gilchrist
Novant Health / Family Medicine Specialist
Paige Goff
Domtar Paper / Vice President of Sustainability
Joe Semmelmann
Clark/Powell / Sr. Account Manager
Kerin S. Hughes, Ex Officio
Transportation
Experience the Wonder of PES
We are eager to share the joyful atmosphere of PES with you. Schedule a visit at a time that’s convenient for your schedule.
Employment
Extraordinary people wanted.
We invite exceptional candidates who want to support our students’ joyful love of learning to submit their applications, resumes and portfolios for consideration. Download and complete the forms and return with the required supporting documents to: Palisades Episcopal School, ATTN: Head of School’s Office, 13120 Grand Palisades Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28278. Or complete your submission via email here.