What is an Episcopal school?
Episcopalians, like all Christians, believe that our life is founded on the life of Jesus, and that as a Church, we are called to offer the redeeming love of God to all people.
Episcopal schools are concrete expressions of the Church's care for young people and their families, and of the belief that God calls us to love all of God's children. What Episcopal schools strive for, teach, believe, emphasis and cultivate, grows out of present needs and looks forward to the demands of the future. We believe that as Christians we are called to treat everyone and everything with dignity and respect.
An Episcopal school is comprehensive and inclusive
The Episcopal Church encourages respect for the other person's beliefs. Therefore, an Episcopal school should not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, or national origin, and should actively seek out faculty and students of diverse backgrounds and traditions. We do so in the belief that they bring something to be valued and respected, and because we wish to be broadly inclusive of the community we serve. An Episcopal school looks for values that unite people rather than those that divide.
The worship at an Episcopal school is based on tradition
In an Episcopal school there likely will be worship and celebration in the Episcopal tradition. At Holy Apostles Episcopal School we will have weekly worship which will be led by ministers from various Christian churches in our area. Families will be welcome and encouraged to attend.
An Episcopal school values reason as a way to true understanding
In the Episcopal tradition, learning is an important element to arrive at God's truth. An Episcopal education will challenge students to be their best academically and to be honorable, truthful, and compassionate.
An Episcopal school has a concern for the well being of society
An Episcopal school will help children understand that they do not exist apart from society, that society's issues are their issues, and that they are called upon to respond to the needs of others. At Holy Apostles Episcopal School, students will be involved in mission projects; some will be local and some will be international.
An Episcopal school is founded on love
Love for students, for their value as children of God, for their unique gifts, must be the foundation of all we do. We must act out of love, teach love, model love, and love one another in our community above all else. Without this love, all else is meaningless.
(Excerpted from "The Idea of an Episcopal School" - copyright 2000 by the National Association of Episcopal Schools)
