St. Luke’s Episcopal School | First Quarter Highlights & Updates

Submitted by Connie Jackson

St. Luke’s Episcopal School has enjoyed an exciting and memorable start to the 2026–2027 school year as we celebrate 65 years of academic excellence, faith, tradition, and community. This milestone year also marks a new chapter in our school's history as we welcomed Chip Menton as our new Head of School on July 1.

From meaningful Episcopal traditions and outstanding academic achievements to innovative educational opportunities and a remarkable display of generosity during our annual Give Day, the first quarter has provided much to celebrate. We are grateful for the dedication of our faculty and staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the continued support of our families and community.

The following highlights reflect the many ways St. Luke’s continues to grow, inspire, and prepare students for lives of purpose, leadership, and service.

School Community & Traditions

We began the school year by welcoming new faculty and staff members during New Faculty and Staff Orientation, followed by a series of events designed to strengthen connections across our school community. Our Japonica Campus hosted Parent Preview and Meet the Teacher events for K2–5th grade families, while the University Campus welcomed new students through its annual Wildcat Welcome. New Parent Breakfasts on both campuses provided additional opportunities to build relationships and welcome families into the St. Luke’s community.

Two of our most cherished back-to-school traditions marked important milestones for our students. The Class of 2033 participated in the annual University Campus Welcome Walk, receiving enthusiastic cheers from faculty, staff, fellow students, and families as they began their middle school journey. Meanwhile, the Class of 2030 celebrated its first day of high school by walking through the gates, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter. The next time these students pass through the gates in this special tradition, they will do so as St. Luke’s graduates.

Homecoming 2026 was especially meaningful as we celebrated St. Luke’s 65th anniversary. A week filled with beloved traditions, spirited activities, and school pride culminated in a Wildcat football victory over Bayshore Christian Academy. The celebration brought together students, families, alumni, and friends, honoring the generations who have helped shape St. Luke’s over the past 65 years.

Another treasured tradition continued as our 8th-grade “Bigs” met their K5 “Littles” for the first time this school year. Through reading, playground activities, and time spent together, students began building friendships that bridge grade levels and create a lasting sense of belonging. These relationships provide our youngest Wildcats with positive role models while giving older students meaningful opportunities to demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and leadership.

Faith, Character & Episcopal Identity

Faith remains at the heart of the St. Luke’s experience, guiding our school community in learning, leadership, and service.

We began the academic year with our annual Faculty and Staff Back-to-School Chapel, a meaningful tradition that brings our educators together in prayer and shared purpose. The service provided an opportunity to reflect on our mission, pray for the year ahead, and seek God's guidance for the students, families, faculty, and staff entrusted to our care.

Our annual Honor Pledge Assemblies, held on both campuses, reinforced the importance of integrity, trustworthiness, fairness, respect, and personal responsibility. From our youngest learners through our graduating seniors, these values remain essential to the character development that is central to a St. Luke’s education.

On October 21, we celebrated the Feast of Saint Luke, honoring our school's namesake, the patron saint of physicians, surgeons, and artists. Saint Luke, traditionally recognized as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, is remembered for his work as a physician and his companionship with St. Paul. To commemorate this special occasion, our Japonica Campus students participated in a joyful procession to chapel, proudly carrying their class banners. The celebration provided a beautiful reminder of our Episcopal identity and the traditions that unite generations of St. Luke’s families.

Our Japonica Campus also celebrated the annual Blessing of the Animals, one of our most beloved Episcopal traditions. Students and families gathered with their cherished pets for a special blessing, celebrating the joy of God's creation and the importance of caring for all living things.

Faith also took center stage as our first-grade students presented Superheroes of Faith, a joyful performance featuring scripture, music, and storytelling. Through the stories of biblical heroes, students reminded their audience that true courage and strength come from answering God's call and living with kindness, faith, and purpose.

In addition, our school community participated in Red Ribbon Week, encouraging students to make healthy, drug-free choices while emphasizing kindness, generosity, and positive decision-making.

Academic Excellence & Recognition

St. Luke’s continues to distinguish itself through academic achievement, innovative programs, and a commitment to preparing students for success beyond graduation.

We are exceptionally proud to announce that St. Luke’s earned five #1 rankings in the 2027 Niche Best Schools rankings for Mobile: #1 Best Private K–12 School, #1 Best Private High School, #1 Best College Prep Private High School, #1 Best Christian K–12 School, and #1 Best Christian High School.

Our nationally recognized Biomedical Sciences Program continues to serve as a model for innovative, hands-on education. This quarter, St. Luke’s welcomed faculty members from Orangewood Christian School in Orlando, Florida, who traveled to Mobile to learn from our program as they develop their own Biomedical Sciences curriculum. Their visit included an in-depth look at our facilities, curriculum development, professional partnerships, and signature learning experiences.

The opportunity to share our expertise with fellow educators is both an honor and a testament to the strength of our STEM+M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics + Medicine) program. It further reinforces St. Luke’s growing reputation as a leader in innovative, real-world learning.

Faculty & Staff Professional Development

At St. Luke’s, our commitment to lifelong learning extends beyond our students to the educators who inspire and guide them each day.

During Back-to-School Orientation, faculty and staff participated in an engaging professional development workshop led by professor, author, and educator John Spencer, titled How Will We Respond to the AI Revolution? As artificial intelligence continues to transform education and the world our students will enter, the workshop challenged our teachers to consider how emerging technology can enhance learning while preserving the essential skills of creativity, critical thinking, curiosity, and meaningful human connection.

Throughout the summer, numerous faculty members also pursued professional development opportunities to bring new perspectives and experiences into their classrooms.

One particularly unique experience recently took a high school history teacher to the Galápagos Islands with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. The expedition explored the critical relationship between local communities, national policies, and international collaboration in successful conservation efforts. Inspired by this experience, he returned with new ideas for helping students examine how similar grassroots engagement and environmental stewardship could contribute to protecting Mobile Bay.

These experiences demonstrate our faculty's dedication to continuous growth and to connecting classroom instruction with the broader world.

Athletics

St. Luke’s student-athletes have enjoyed an outstanding start to the school year, earning recognition at the local, state, and national levels. Their achievements reflect not only athletic talent, but also the dedication, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship that define our athletic programs.

During the first quarter, our Wildcats earned numerous individual honors, including Mobile Optimist Club Cross-Country Runner of the Week, Azalea City Kiwanis Club Volleyball Player of the Week, Cunningham Bounds Coastal Alabama Football Player of the Week, and Week 5 Football Player of the Week from the Crichton Optimist Club of Mobile.

One of our cross-country runners was also selected as Fleet Feet's male Wild Card Entry to the 2026 Brooks XC Regional Championship, an exciting opportunity to compete at a higher level.

Our volleyball program received particularly impressive recognition. Two student-athletes earned national honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), with selections to the Phenom Watch List and the Girls High School All-America Watch List. Additionally, two volleyball players were recognized among Alabama's top players in the state's single-A private school classification.

Beyond athletic competition, our volleyball team demonstrated exceptional achievement in the classroom, earning the 2026 AVCA Team Academic Award. This national recognition celebrates the academic dedication of student-athletes who successfully balance rigorous coursework with the demands of competitive athletics.

We are proud of the way our Wildcats continue to represent St. Luke’s through excellence in competition, academic achievement, and character.

Community Engagement & Giving

One of the most significant highlights of the first quarter was our annual St. Luke’s Give Day, held on October 21 in conjunction with our school's 65th anniversary celebration.

This year's campaign, "65 Years. Countless Stories." honored our school's rich history while inspiring our community to invest in its future. Through alumni testimonials, family stories, faculty reflections, and messages from school leadership, we celebrated the people, traditions, and experiences that have shaped St. Luke’s since 1961.

The response from our school community was extraordinary. We celebrated our most successful Give Day to date, exceeding our goals in both dollars raised and donor participation. Parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, current and former Board of Trustees members, and friends of St. Luke’s came together in an inspiring demonstration of generosity and commitment to our mission.

The campaign provided a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with alumni and former families, celebrate the impact of a St. Luke’s education across generations, and demonstrate the enduring strength of our school community.

As we honor 65 years of St. Luke’s history, we remain deeply grateful to everyone who has helped build our legacy and who continues to invest in the opportunities that will shape future generations.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the first quarter, we are filled with gratitude for the many blessings and accomplishments that have marked the beginning of this milestone year. Under new leadership, St. Luke’s continues to build upon its strong foundation of faith, academic excellence, character development, and community.

We are especially thankful for our dedicated faculty and staff, supportive families, talented students, and the many individuals whose generosity and commitment make the St. Luke’s experience possible.

As we celebrate 65 years of educating and inspiring students, we look forward with excitement and purpose to the opportunities ahead. We remain committed to honoring our Episcopal heritage, nurturing the gifts of every student, and preparing young people to lead lives of faith, compassion, integrity, and service.