About Epiphany

A snapshot of the beginning

We're proud to celebrate more than fifteen years of outstanding academic performance in New Bern, NC. Throughout the years, we've had many powerful moments that have helped shape the school into what it is today. While it's important for us as a school community to look forward, it's equally as important to see our past as a culmination of valuable learning opportunities that we can use to continuously improve our school. We welcome you to discover the history of the Epiphany School of Global Studies and see how our past is helping to define who we are today and where we will go in the future.

2013–2014

  • Decision made to add grades K–2 in the fall of 2013 at the Henderson Avenue Campus, along with the expansion of the Middle School on the Trent Road Campus.
  • Decision made to offer Spanish immersion in the early grades, beginning in the fall of 2013.
  • Enrollment expected to reach approximately 500 students, with 50+ employees.
  • Extensive renovations on the Henderson Avenue campus, updating classrooms with smart boards, making classrooms larger, and an addition of play areas.
  • Construction on the Trent Road campus, adding additional classrooms for grade 6.

2012–2013

  • School is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • Construction of the Trent Road Campus is complete, and the school opens its doors to grades 7–12.
  • 11 adjacent acres acquired, making the Trent Road school site nearly 22 acres in the heart of New Bern.
  • Grades 3–4 added.
  • Capital Campaign receives commitments totaling nearly $1.5M dollars.
  • Enrollment up to 330 students, with employees numbering in the forties.
  • Epiphany graduates its fifth class, with 100% matriculation to college, and an average of $95,000 in merit scholarships per student.

2011–2012

  • Construction on the Middle and Upper School begins at the Trent Road Site. The building is 61,000 square feet, with a double gym, smart boards in every classroom, a 500+ seat Performing Arts Center, a fully equipped weight room, and dedicated spaces for art and music.
  • Director of Global Education hired.
  • School gains membership in the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
  • First Capital Campaign is launched, with a goal of $10M over 5 years.
  • Grants offered for travel abroad opportunities for students.
  • Epiphany graduates its fourth class, with 100% matriculation to college, and an average of $85,000 in merit scholarships per graduate.

2010–2011

  • Construction of the Middle School Annex provides four additional classrooms on the Henderson Campus.
  • First Strategic plan issued.
  • Student enrollment up to 220, with employees numbering in the 30s.
  • Travel abroad continues, with trips in the fall, spring, and summer, expanding trips to include Australia and New Zealand. High participation among the student body.
  • Nicholas and Catherine Sparks donate $6 million dollars to the school in order to facilitate construction.
  • Decision made to change the school name to more accurately reflect the founding mission of the school. The Epiphany School becomes The Epiphany School of Global Studies.
  • Epiphany graduates its third class, with 100% matriculation to colleges and universities, and averaging nearly $82,000 in merit scholarships.

2009–2010

  • Construction of The Original Lower School Building on the Henderson Avenue Campus.
  • Grade 5 added.
  • School gains membership in the NC Association of Independent Schools.
  • Nearly 35% of Upper School students begin traveling abroad. Trips offered in the fall, spring, and summer, to Mexico, Costa Rica, and numerous countries in Europe.
  • Epiphany celebrates its second graduating class with 100% matriculation to colleges or universities, and graduates average $80,000 in merit scholarships.
  • Student enrollment continues to increase, with nearly 180 students enrolled and employees numbering in the twenties.

2008–2009

  • Renovation of Sparks Hall and outdoor plazas completed over the summer.
  • First international student-teacher arrives.
  • Grade 12 added.
  • First travel abroad experience offered to students.
  • Student enrollment climbs to 150 students
  • Trent Road site purchased by Nicholas and Catherine Sparks, for eventual donation to the school.
  • Epiphany celebrates its first graduating class with 100% matriculation to colleges or universities. 20% of the class is admitted to UNC Chapel Hill, and graduates average $75,000 in merit scholarships.

2007-2008

  • Renovation to Founders Hall completed over the summer.
  • Grade 11 added.
  • Travel abroad partners thoroughly investigated and vetted.
  • First foreign exchange student arrives.
  • Enrollment up to 120 students; additional faculty and staff hired.

2006-2007

  • First employees hired.
  • Temple Baptist Church site and facilities purchased in February 2006.
  • Nicholas and Catherine Sparks provide initial funding for the purchase, construction, and educational development needs.
  • Initial curriculum developed; additional faculty and staff hired.
  • Construction begins on the Henderson Avenue campus in the Summer 2006.
  • In August 2006, The Epiphany School opens its doors to grades 6–10, with 92 students and 13 employees.
  • Decision made that travel abroad will part of the comprehensive Global Studies program at the school.

2005-2006

  • Community interviews and focus groups indicate a strong desire for a college-prep school, rooted in the Christian tradition, with a strong program of Global Studies in New Bern.
  • Nicholas and Catherine Sparks decide to found a school.
  • School-site building search begins.
  • Board of Trustees formed and by-laws established.
  • The Epiphany School is formally founded.
  • Discussion and decisions made regarding key educational philosophies.
  • Discussion and decisions made about the importance of providing a comprehensive program of Global Studies.
  • Discussion and decisions made regarding tuition philosophy.