Nonprofit Impact: Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School

Since 1953, Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School (BNEDS) has been dedicated to providing an exceptional Christian education. Now spanning two thriving campuses serving students in Prek3 through 12th grade, BNEDS ignites a love of learning through high-quality, experiential programs and empowers students as one of only five private and independent schools in Louisiana that has earned an Advanced Placement Platinum designation.

Allison Schnake began working at BNEDS in 2014 and serves as the Director of Advancement. Below, learn what she has to say about the vision and goals at BNEDS.

What is the overall goal of Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School? 

We provide an exceptional education to a diverse student body within a nurturing Christian environment. Our goal is to IGNITE creative passion, INSPIRE joyful faith, ENGAGE with our community, and EMPOWER tomorrow’s leaders.

What are your top three priorities at BNEDS? 

My top three priorities in my role are to foster a culture of philanthropy across our school community, support the school’s long-term vision for excellence in academics, faith and community life, and advance the visibility and reputation of BNEDS through authentic narratives that inspire investment, enrollment, and pride in the Eagle community.  

What is the everyday impact you see in the local community through BNEDS? 

Our daily impact is about enhancing the quality of life across SWLA through dedicated service learning. Our students inspire me by participating in civic life at events such as Touch-A-Truck and This is Home Fest, and they lead the charge in environmental stewardship through coastal restoration projects, maritime research, annual Beach Sweeps, and campus recycling initiatives that encourage the broader community to support sustainable practices. Whether they are partnering with local nonprofits to combat food insecurity through canned food drives and packing snack sacks, or knitting and delivering warm hats to cancer patients at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, we encourage our students to step out of the classroom to become compassionate leaders and caring citizens.

What do you wish people to know about your BNEDS that isn’t widely understood? 

I wish more people understood how deeply committed we are to accessibility. There is often a misconception that an independent school education is out of reach, but we work tirelessly to make BNEDS a reality for families from a wide range of backgrounds. Our goal is never to be exclusive; rather, it is to build a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community where every child can thrive academically, spiritually, and personally. To help support this mission, we actively partner with local businesses and nonprofits. Through collaborative community events, like our Blessings and Bids Auction, Christmas on the Plaza, the annual Carnival, and our ongoing service projects, we ensure our doors remain open and connected to the broader SWLA community.

For more information, visit episcopaldayschool.org.