Welcome to The Epiphany School of Global Studies
Founded in 2006 for grades 6 through 10, Epiphany has grown into a premier Kindergarten through 12th grade independent school, serving almost 500 students on its two campuses in the historic town of New Bern, North Carolina. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent School (SAIS).
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The Epiphany School of Global Studies, anchored in the Judeo-Christian commandment to Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself, is a comprehensive collegepreparatory and globallyfocused school where dynamic and innovative learning is stretched beyond the classroom walls, emphasizing the knowledge, skills, creativity, adaptability, curiosity, and international experiences students will need to flourish in an increasingly globalized 21st century.
I’ve been able to find a lot of balance at Epiphany. I’ve been able to meet friends that I think I’ll have for life ... and really come together as a community, and it’s definitely an Epiphany Family.
Madelyn, class of 2022
Upper School Academics
Years of planning and hard work culminate in Epiphany’s Upper School. While continuing with the rigorous coursework, students are beginning to prepare themselves for the next level by mastering skills, such as critical thinking, independence, and empathy. Global experiences put these ideas into practical application, as students truly understand their impact on the world around them.
Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 27 credits in required courses and electives Full-year courses (which include almost all core classes) receive 1.0 academic credit, and semester courses receive .5 credit.
Subject and Requirements
Literature - 4 0 credits required
Mathematics - 4.0 credits required
Science - 4.0 credits required
Social Studies - 4.0 credits required
World Language - 3 0 credits required (in same language)
Fine/Performing Arts - 1 0 credit required
Communication-Based Electives - 2.5 credits required
Physical Education/Health - 1.0 credit required
General Electives - 3.5 credits required
Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Some students enroll at Craven Community College through NC’s Career and College Promise Program during their junior and/or senior year. The most popular courses include Writing & Inquiry, Principles of Micro/Macroeconomics, Psychology, and Sociology. These courses are included on student transcripts with the abbreviation (DE) after the course name and calculated in the student’s GPA as honors-level courses.
Students also have the option to apply to and enroll in the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) Online Program. This extremely competitive program offers eligible students additional honors/AP-level coursework that is calculated into the student’s Epiphany GPA and included on their transcript with the abbreviation (NCSSM) after the course name.
AP Guidelines
Students may take AP courses throughout their Upper School careers but must seek permission to take more than two in a school year.
Students may also take additional AP courses through VISnet via NCAIS or other school-approved extension programs.
Trent Campus Languages and Electives
Foreign Languages
Through foreign language study, international exchanges, and community service opportunities, Epiphany students will have acquired an understanding and appreciation of the power of language as a tool of oral and written communication. As responsible citizens of the world, they will have gained an affinity and respect for diverse peoples, ideas, and cultures. They will have developed curiosity, critical thinking skills, and a passion for lifelong language learning. Students may continue their Spanish learning or may choose to take Latin to fulfill their language requirements.
Electives
Developmentally appropriate, elective classes allow students to explore their interests and talents as they prepare for choices they will have in the future. Students in grade 6 select one elective per semester with Life Skills being the second. Students in grades 7 and 8 select two electives per semester. Students in Upper School choose one elective per semester, which receive numerical grades, each counting for 0 5 credit Electives taught each semester will vary depending on student interest and enrollment. Electives include choices from Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education, Study Skills, Shakespeare, Astronomy, Great Books, Psychology, and more.
Visual and Performing Arts
We encourage our students to explore any interests outside academia, and our Performing and Creative Arts programs provide a variety of opportunities for students to explore channels of self-expression. Epiphany is equipped for students to immerse themselves in new experiences with the engaging resources found in our Performing Arts Center and other facilities. Throughout the year, our events in the arts bring the both the Epiphany and local communities together in fellowship. The value of theater, music, visual art are vital to the development of well-rounded students and are ingrained in the Epiphany identity.
Sample Schedule
LEARNING SUPPORT AND TUTORING SERVICES
The Office of Learning Services of The Epiphany School of Global Studies commits to helping students in grades K-12 achieve learning gains, develop confidence in their abilities, and prepare for success inside and outside the classroom walls. Various learning supports and tutoring opportunities are available to students, at any grade-level, during their academic careers.
A "Team of Professionals," which includes the Office of Learning Services, the student, his or her parents, teachers, division principal, and possible tutor, work together and openly communicate the needs, goals, and strategies beneficial to the student's learning. With proper documentation (medical or psychological educational evaluation), a plan of accommodations designed to support the student's unique learning needs will be prepared and implemented.
In grades 6-12, individual student support and subject-specific tutoring are available to help build upon classroom instruction and strengthen Executive Functioning skills (planning, time management, and organization).
We are committed to preparing students for success by helping them cultivate a sense of capability, determination, resilience, self-advocacy, and a love of learning!
Retreats
Every fall, students in grades 6-11 participate in an offcampus grade level retreat. The tradition began with our first Head of School, Tom McLaughlin, and has continued and evolved throughout our history. Each grade level travels to a camp where the students and their advisors bond in fellowship, faith, and fun. The camps typically provide fun and challenging outdoor activities, like sailing, low ropes, and team-building initiatives, and canoeing. The overnight retreats always feature evening programs that include camp songs, campfires, and skits.
9th Grade: Bear Your Gifts,
Share your Light
An overnight retreat at Camp Albermarle in Newport, NC. Each one of us has some sort of gift or gifts, and it is important that, as a community, we recognize not only our own gifts but also embrace our friends to share their gifts to the world.
10th Grade: Step Up
An overnight retreat at Camp Albermarle in Newport, NC. In the tenth grade, we begin our first part of a two-part leadership training retreat. The theme is "Step Up," in which the students and advisors examine types of leadership styles and determine the best course to "step up " and lead. We literally "step up " and climb Camp Albemarle's sixty-foot Alpine Tower!
11th Grade: Lead with Why
Finally, we conclude our two-part leadership training with the eleventh grade retreat. For this retreat, we move far from the coastal region and deep in the heart of the Piedmont to Camp Chestnut Ridge. The theme is "Lead With Why," derived from Simon Sinek's powerful "Start With Why" concept. We examine our own leadership styles through the Myers-Brigg test and through hands-on team building activities.
College Counseling
Preparing students for college doesn't simply mean giving them the educational tools they'll need to succeed. It's about matching students with the school that's right for them and giving students the opportunity for valuable experiences outside of the classroom to help them become well-rounded individuals, ready to take on the challenges of college life. College preparation is a participatory process that requires equal involvement from the student, parents and the school as well.
Highlights of College Counseling
Students begin to receive individualized college guidance in the 8th grade. Epiphany has a 100% college acceptance and matriculation rate. On average, each Epiphany graduate earns nearly $60,000 in college awards and scholarships. Students tour an average of 10 college campuses on school-sponsored visits.
Over the last five years, classes averaged $2.74 million in merit scholarships
Epiphany graduates have earned Naval Academy and West Point Appointments, been named Park Scholars and Benjamin N. Duke Scholars, made it to the final rounds of the Morehead-Cain and Levine Scholar programs and been named honors scholars at colleges and universities nationwide.
Some students enroll at Craven Community College through NC's Career and College Promise Program during their junior and/or senior year. Students also have the option to apply to and enroll in the NC School of Science and Mathematics Online Program.
CLUBS
Academic Organizations
National Honor Society
National Junior Honor Society
National Art Honor Society
Science National Honor Society
Mu Alpha Theta
International Thespian Society
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Award Winning Club Chapters
YMCA Youth and Government
Science Olympiad
Interact Club
It's a wonderful time to bond with your classmates and your teammates. I absolutely love it.
Izel, Class of 2023
Bible
Fencing Club
Student
Outdoor Club
Sailing Club
Student Senate
5 or more students with the same interest can secure a faculty advisor and then request approval for the creation of a new club.
National and State Champions
Cheerleading - Christian Cheerleaders of America National Champions - 2018, 2020, 2021
Men's Swimming - NCISAA Division III State Champions - 2019, 2020
Conner Wang - 100 Butterfly - 2019, 50 Free - 2020
Charlie Jones - 200Free - 2021, 2022
Women's Swimming - NCISAA Division III State Runners Up - 2020, 2023
Addien Quinn - 100 Backstroke2019
Men's Cross Country - NCISAA 2A State Champions - 2014, runners up - 2013
Epiphany NCISAA Wells Fargo Cup WinnerOverall Excellence in Sports - 2012-2013
Women's Cross Country - NCISAA 1A State Runners Up - 2012
Lake Hoard - 2012
Volleyball - NCISAA 1A State Runners Up2012
Conference Champions and Awards
Athle
Men's Cross Country - 2015
Men's Swimming - 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Women's Swimming - 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023
Men’s Soccer - 2021
Coach of the Year
Cross Country - Juan Padro - 2020, 2021
Soccer - Jason Raper - 2021
Swimming - David Wang - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Volleyball - CJ Amber - 2021
Athlete of the Year
Women’s Swimming - Madelyn Coble2022, Bennett Sanborn - 2023 2015-Present
Men's Soccer - DIdi Samlouius - 2019, Matt Connolly - 2021
Men's Swimming - Conner Wang - 2018, 2019, 2020, Charlie Jones - 2021, 2022
Varsity Sports
Men's and Women's
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track
Men's Co-Ed
Baseball
Women's
Volleyball
Cheerleading
90% ofUpperSchool studentsparticipate inAthletics
Epiphany is part of the Carolina Independent Conference
School Wide
Favorite Epiphany Traditions
Odyssey Days 1
Falcon Fest
Falcon Fest is an event put on each year by our Parent Teacher Organization. Student groups and advisories host games and activities for the entire Epiphany community and our friends. Much like a fall festival, you can find cake walks, games, face painting, bounce houses, fun, and fellowship!
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The first three days of the school year are Odyssey Days. The first day of school is a day of community when the students get to know their classmates and teachers The second is a day of service; on the Trent Campus, each advisory group leaves campus to work for various service and civic organizations around town On the Henderson Campus, grade levels introduce their service partners for the year The third day is a day of scholarship when classes officially begin
Rise Against Hunger
Epiphany partners with Rise Against Hunger each November on the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break. We gather as an entire school community for a chapel service then work together to package thousands of meals Rise Against Hunger states, "They may look like simple bags of rice and soy, but Rise Against Hunger meals represent the hopes and dreams of people worldwide. Our volunteers are the heart of our mission to end hunger and we could not send millions of meals around the globe each year without them "
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Buddies
Buddies are matched in Kindergarten with students in the Junior class and these relationships are carried through First Grade and Senior year Buddies get together multiple times throughout the year to celebrate holidays or to have picnic lunches. They send each other inter-campus mail and form special bonds over the two years. Many buddies will even come visit for lunch after they've graduated and their buddies are older.
Feast of Epiphany
Epiphany is how we get our name. We celebrate on/around January 6 each year as a student body and school community. One faculty member, and two representatives of the senior class are selected to serve as our Kings during a special chapel service followed by a feast hosted by our PTO. Class Kings are anointed and we celebrate the day together.
International Family Nights happen once each semester and rotate host campuses. These nights give us an opportunity to highlight recent international travel by our students and families and often host international performing groups as they tour the southeastern United States. Students prepare presentations, foods, and crafts associated with the theme of the evening.
4 5 6 International Family Nights
Gala and Auction
The Gala and Auction takes place each year for our Epiphany parents, community, and alumni. Proceeds generated from the event benefit The Epiphany Fund. The Epiphany Fund enhances all that we do - teacher salaries, benefits, curriculum, special programs, arts, athletics, technology, financial assistance and more.
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Community Day
Community Day takes place in May. Each campus spends a day out at YMCA Camp Seafarer just down the river from New Bern. Students and staff close out the year together playing on the activities camp provide like the zip line, archery, canoeing, swimming, field games, and the list goes on. It's a great way to celebrate the conclusion of the school year together
Love in Action
Love in Action is for our Senior class. They spend the entire month of May participating in community service. Some students are out in the local community at various nonprofits and civic organizations while others travel abroad in a service learning, immersive experience.
It’s definitely the teachers … that personal connection with students - that’s hard to find at other schools.
Emma, Class of 2022
The teachers are really nice, and they honestly don’t want you to give up; they just want you to do your best.
José, Class of 2028
Global Studies
We want students to have the opportunity to cast their horizons far and look beyond the limits they place on their future. Epiphany's approach to Global Studies is based on meaningful contact with communities in faraway places and letting students experience what life is like through eyes a world away. Students will gain an inclusive perspective and an understanding of their potential abilities and international impact. During a time in which the lines drawn on a map mean less and the ink on a passport is a portfolio in itself, the only divide between peoples lies in human connection. We are preparing scholars for a global future that measures distance in languages and cultures, not miles.
Epiphany has welcomed exchange students from the following countries:
China
Finland
France
Germany
Haiti
Italy
Mexico
Montenegro
Panama
Spain
Taiwan
Vietnam
As well as a rotating short term exchange with a school in Chile.
More than ninety-five percent of our current 10th-12th grade students have traveled with the school to engage in learning opportunities in other countries, many of whom have traveled to multiple locations
My favorite part of Africa was getting to go places like Zambia and Botswana and being immersed in the culture and lifestyle. Also, getting to see breathtaking sights like Victoria Falls. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Charlotte , Class of 2021
Epiphany's Global Education program allows the entire Freshman class to travel to Costa Rica each year for a week long Spanish immersion and service-learning experience.
Students at Epiphany Have connected with cultures in:
Australia
Austria
Belize
Botswana
Canada
Chile
China
Costa
Rica
Czech
Republic
England
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Haiti
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
New
Zealand
Peru
Poland
Russia
Scotland
Spain
Switzerland
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Admissions and Financial Aid
The Office of Admissions at The Epiphany School of Global Studies is here to guide you throughout the admissions and enrollment process. Our Admissions Committee carefully reviews every application we receive, looking at the whole child, not simply a test score or number. We seek to admit well-rounded students who we believe will not only succeed in the classroom but will also take advantage of learning opportunities beyond the classroom to expand their horizons. At The Epiphany School of Global Studies, your child will have a myriad of opportunities to develop close relationships with our committed teachers and other talented students. Our desire is for all of our students to uncover and expand their unique Godgiven gifts as a part of a nurturing, service, and learning-oriented community.
Important Admissions Dates
October
Applications for the upcoming year made available.
Mid-January to End-February
Completed applications due for the January, February, or March Assessment and Testing days.
Early to Late March
Admissions decisions sent; Enrollment contracts and deposits are due two weeks from the date of acceptance letter
Year-round
Inquiries accepted online, by phone, or email
The Epiphany School of Global Studies seeks to enroll creative, curious, adaptable, critical-thinkers appropriate for our mission as a comprehensive college-preparatory school with global emphasis, grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition to Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself.
MOLLY OSTMANN Director of Admissions
There is no better way to get a sense of who we are than to spend time within our school If you submit an inquiry form online or reach out to us directly we will schedule a visit.
Affording Epiphany
Click the links in the headings to learn more about each opportunity.
Our school community is anchored in the Judeo-Christian commandment to love God and your neighbor as yourself. At Epiphany, we believe it is the responsibility of each person in our community to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in every aspect of school life.
Rural School Alliance Scholarship
The RSA Scholarship is a partnership between the Nicholas Sparks Foundation and The Epiphany School of Global Studies. If a student is awarded this scholarship, it will follow him/her throughout the K-12 education at Epiphany.
North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship
The North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship ranges from approximately $3,000 to $7,000andisbasedonafamily'shouseholdincome.Theawardedamountcanbeusedto coveraportionofEpiphany'stuition.
ApplicationsopenfromFebruary1toMarch1.
Tuition Assistance
The Epiphany School of Global Studies collaborates with the FACTS Tuition Management website when making financial aid decisions.FACTS is a web-based, independent financial aid service for independent schools that require specific financial information as part of a process that will help to inform the decision on how much a family can fairly afford. Once “affordability" is established, the information is forwarded to the family. The school also receives the information and makes an evaluation based on three factors:
The amount requested
The financial aid available
Number of students applying An offer is then submitted to the family.
Tuition Assistance Policy
The Epiphany School of Global Studies will offer Tuition Assistance to a limited number of students, with preference for students entering grades 6-12 on a financial needs basis. The maximum award is limited to 50% of the tuition.
Tuition Assistance Committee
In early May a committee made up of the Head of School, Director of Finance, and other members of the Leadership Team will meet to determine the following year ’ s recipients based on a set of criteria including financial need (as determined by FACTS)
