Meet Renee Cowan, a proud BASIS Baton Rouge Materra parent who spends most of her day caring for patients just across the street from campus. For the past few years, Dr. Cowan has been working at Woman’s Hospital, a specialty healthcare facility serving the needs of women and infants.
BASIS Baton Rouge Materra is located less than a half mile from this acclaimed hospital. To show our appreciation for the hard work of these healthcare professionals, Woman’s Hospital employees receive enrollment priority when applying to BASIS Baton Rouge Materra.
When Dr. Cowan discovered BASIS, she knew it would be a perfect fit for her family! While she’s providing world-class care to her patients, her kids are just down the street receiving a top-tier education.
Read on to learn more about Dr. Cowan and her experience as a BASIS parent!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the work you do with Woman’s Hospital?
Dr. Cowan: My name is Renee Cowan and I am a gynecologic oncologist here in Baton Rouge. I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia, but spent a decade completing medical training in the Northeast. My work at Woman’s Hospital focuses on the surgical removal of women’s cancers.
I am the mom of three kids. We have a fourth grader and a first grader at BASIS Materra, as well as a three-year-old child at home.
How long have your kids been attending BASIS Materra?
Dr. Cowan: My kids have been at BASIS Materra for two years now. When we first moved to Baton Rouge, we enrolled them at a local private school. But after two years in private school and the arrival of our third child, my husband and I began to reevaluate other education opportunities.
What made you choose BASIS over other school options in the area?
Dr. Cowan: I heard good things about BASIS Materra from some of my coworkers who had children enrolled there. I also knew another parent who had switched from our private school to BASIS, and they were happy with the switch.
Location was a big factor. The idea of an academically rigorous public charter school across the street from the hospital—where I spend the majority of my time!—was very appealing.
I also appreciated the diversity of the school. When my oldest son was attending school in New York, he was the only Black child in his entire kindergarten class. I love that BASIS Materra fosters a diverse learning environment where everyone feels welcome.
Now that your kids have been attending BASIS Materra for a few years, what do you think sets it apart from other schools?
Dr. Cowan: My children have benefitted from the challenging curriculum at BASIS. My middle child is reading well above her grade level, and my oldest son is doing math well above his grade level. They are learning practical study skills and time management skills, which I’m sure will go a long way. At the same time, my kids are making friends and growing their social skills.
Switching from private school to a public charter school, we feel as though the money we’ve saved has been reinvested back in our kids’ education. We now have the opportunity to travel as a family more often, which gives our kids a chance to see new things and experience new cultures.
Do you have any favorite memories from your time at BASIS Materra?
Dr. Cowan: My husband and I have really enjoyed getting to see our kids receive awards at the awards luncheons, perform in their seasonal plays, and compete in Track and Field. It was also really exciting when my son got his first personalized letterman jacket to celebrate his academic success.
Another memorable moment was seeing my son (who is currently in fourth grade) support and cheer on his fifth-grade peers who won their basketball championship. He was able to see that you can be both smart and athletic—the two aren’t mutually exclusive. He is really looking forward to playing for Coach Matthew next year when he gets to fifth grade.
What should Baton Rouge families know about BASIS before enrolling at one of our schools?
Dr. Cowan: It’s definitely an academically advanced curriculum that will challenge both you and your child. We spend a lot of time doing homework together. However, this hard work is well worth it if you’re willing to put in the effort! I’m confident that my kids will be very prepared for standardized tests, and ultimately college curriculums.
Enroll today to join the BASIS Materra community
We would like to thank Dr. Cowan for sharing her experiences with us! Our dedicated parents are a huge part of what makes BASIS Materra so special. Partnering with families, we create a supportive learning environment where all students are empowered to succeed.
If you’re ready to unlock an incredible education for your child, now’s your chance! BASIS Baton Rouge Materra is now enrolling students in the East Baton Rouge Parish School District. Our “A” rated school is the highest-performing open-enrollment school in all of Baton Rouge! We even received a Top Gains Honoree award from the Louisiana Department of Education in 2024.
Together with our sister school BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City, we provide Baton Rouge students with a transformative, tuition-free K–12 education. See the difference a BASIS education can make—visit our “Apply” page to submit an application for the upcoming school year!
