Arete Scholars Celebrates 200th Partner School in Louisiana

Holy Trinity Academy has emerged as a unique educational institution. Located in the town of Schriever, this independent school in the Catholic tradition is set to become Arete Scholars' 200th partner school in Louisiana. This milestone highlights its growing impact on the local community. Though the school doesn't yet have Arete Scholars on campus, plans are in motion for the first Arete scholarship recipients to join the Holy Trinity family. With a strong foundation rooted in classical education and Catholic tradition, the school is already making a significant difference in the lives of its students.

Holy Trinity's vision is to educate the whole person by helping students grow in their knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith, helping them live lives of virtue, and assisting parents in forming the next generation. The school's journey began in 2018 when a group of parents envisioned an educational option that combined authentic Catholic values with a technology-free learning environment. These parents sought an alternative to the increasingly digitalized educational models, favoring a classical approach prioritizing intellectual, spiritual, and human formation. After several years of planning and preparation, the school officially launched in 2023.

From the beginning, Holy Trinity Academy has embraced the principles of classical education, emphasizing small class sizes, personalized instruction, and an intentional focus on virtues and formation. 

"Our founders wanted their children to experience the kind of classical education they had received, an education that shapes the whole person, not just the intellect," explains Tyler Pellegrin, Head of School at Holy Trinity Academy.

What makes Holy Trinity unique is the school's educational philosophy, which is grounded in three pillars: intellectual formation, human formation, and spiritual formation. These pillars are not merely theoretical concepts but integral to the school's daily rhythms.

Academic rigor is at the heart of Holy Trinity's curriculum when it comes to intellectual formation. Core subjects are taught with the depth and thoughtfulness characteristic of classical education. Small class sizes—currently averaging six to seven students per class—allow for personalized attention and engagement. This intimate setting fosters meaningful teacher-student relationships and ensures every child is known, valued, and challenged to excel.

The school's commitment to human formation goes beyond academics. Art, music, physical education, and drama are part of every student's curriculum—not as electives but as essential components of a well-rounded education.

"Etiquette and stewardship are a big part of our human formation focus," Pellegrin shares. "We're teaching students how to interact respectfully in different environments and to take ownership and responsibility."

Regarding spiritual formation, students attend Mass daily and have regular opportunities for confession, adoration, and reflection. The school's Catholic identity provides a moral and spiritual foundation, fostering virtues such as humility, integrity, and compassion.

"All of these things are curricular, not optional for our students," Pellegrin states. "They're part of our daily school rhythm. We even have students here who aren't Catholic but are thriving and doing really well in this environment."

One of Holy Trinity's distinctive features is its commitment to fostering relationships across age groups. With combined classrooms—such as first and second grades sharing a teacher—older students naturally step into leadership roles, modeling virtue and responsibility for their younger peers. This dynamic strengthens the school's sense of community and helps students develop critical life skills like mentorship and collaboration.

"Many of our students are automatically placed in leadership positions that they might not experience in a typical school environment," Pellegrin shares. "And we really hold them to a high standard. Teachers expect older students to help set the bar in their classes. The common thread is that as students get older, teachers push them to achieve their best both inside and outside the classroom."

Located in Terrebonne Parish, Holy Trinity Academy serves families from diverse backgrounds, including those affected by economic and environmental challenges. Hurricanes and shifts in the oil industry have significantly impacted the region in recent years, prompting many families to seek stable, values-driven educational options for their children.

"Many of our families are looking for a school that aligns with their values," Pellegrin notes. "They want a rigorous education for their children without compromising their faith or principles."

Holy Trinity Academy has become an attractive option for families prioritizing authenticity and intentionality in education. The school's partnership with Arete Scholars represents a natural alignment of missions. Arete empowers underserved students to reach their greatest God-given potential by providing access to quality education. Similarly, Holy Trinity is committed to holistic development, shaping young people to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty.

As Holy Trinity Academy prepares to welcome its first Arete Scholars next year, the school anticipates significant growth. Enrollment has already more than doubled since its first year, and interest from local families continues to climb. With plans to expand through 12th grade and build a full pre-K-12 campus, the school is on a trajectory to become a cornerstone of classical Catholic education in the region.

When asked what excites him most about the future, Pellegrin reflects on the potential for a fully realized school community: "To have students in every grade, from pre-K to 12th, all represented on one campus—that will be an achievement. Having high schoolers be role models for all the younger students is a really exciting prospect."

Through its partnership with Arete Scholars, Holy Trinity Academy is poised to extend its impact by providing more families access to a life-changing education and opening doors for even more students to join a community where they can thrive intellectually, spiritually, and personally.

"I know all of our students and the teachers here do, too," Pellegrin adds. "We're able to build relationships with them, encourage them, watch them grow, celebrate with them, and support them when things get difficult. It's a wonderful sort of relational enterprise that we have going here."