Philosophy

Our Mission

The mission of St. Andrew's Episcopal School is to know and inspire each child in an inclusive community dedicated to exceptional teaching, learning, and service.

Statement of Philosophy

St. Andrew's Episcopal School endeavors to provide a comprehensive coeducational college preparatory program for preschool through twelfth grade in an inclusive environment that embodies the faith and perspective of the Episcopal Church. The school seeks a broadly diverse community to promote educational excellence. St. Andrew's programs are designed to serve students of varied interests and abilities capable of achievement in a challenging academic environment. To create such an environment, St. Andrew's supports a dedicated faculty and administration who respect and appreciate students.

St. Andrew's strives to challenge and support all of its students in a balanced program to nurture their academic, artistic, athletic, and spiritual growth. The school believes that developing each individual's intellect, character, and sense of self-worth encourages each to live a creative and compassionate life. Because St. Andrew's values the benefits of community, the school encourages students to lead lives of responsibility to each other and to the larger community.

Citing the values inherent in St. Andrew's Philosophy Statement, the Board of Trustees approved the following Diversity Statement at its May 21, 2007 meeting.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Consistent with the values of an Episcopal school, St. Andrews is committed to a diverse and inclusive community with respect to race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic circumstance, age, and physical disability in its student body, faculty and staff. Pursuant to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, St. Andrews does not discriminate in the administration of admission, financial aid or loan practices, educational or other school-sponsored programs and activities, or in the hiring or terms of employment of faculty and staff, except that the Chaplain shall be a member of the clergy of the Episcopal Church.

St. Andrew's Diversity Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees April 2008

To achieve this educational excellence at St. Andrew's, we strive for a diverse learning environment. We nurture daily interactions among people with varied interests, abilities, and backgrounds. These interactions broaden perspectives, promote the acceptance of differences, and encourage critical thinking and complex problem solving skills among all members of our community. We send our students into a culturally interrelated and complex world with the confidence that they will have the personal and intellectual skills to succeed. St. Andrew's is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all. To ensure this environment, we assess attitudes and behaviors within our school culture on an ongoing basis, addressing issues of equity and inclusion in all aspects of the school's policies, programs, and practices. The school expects an appreciation of, respect for, and commitment to the principles
of equity and inclusion from all.

Faith and Perspective of the Episcopal Church

“ . . . the faith and perspective of the Episcopal Church.”

This phrase in the Philosophy Statement of St. Andrew’s is important to our school because of what it does and does not mean.

It does not mean that we want to “make Episcopalians” out of our students. The perspective of the Episcopal Church includes respect for other religious traditions and even for those periods of life when a person is not identified with a particular tradition.

It also does not mean that we try to answer all issues in life with religious language or that we begin our inquiries with a commitment to traditional answers. We feel little compulsion to “defend God” or traditional theological expressions.

What we do indeed believe is that God represents the foundation of all truth and the source of all love. Seeking truth and striving for deeper and more caring human relationships is, we believe, seeking God, no matter how such efforts may be expressed.

The faith and perspective of the Episcopal Church, as applicable to our common life at St. Andrew’s, may find varied expression in words and actions. One indication of what that phrase means to us may be found in the service of Holy Baptism contained in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. This service includes a prayer which asks God to give the newly baptized “an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love [God], and the gift of joy and wonder in all [God’s] works.”

To the extent St. Andrew’s is able to fulfill this prayer in the lives of its students, it will be honoring “the faith and perspective of the Episcopal Church.”

St. Andrew's Honor Code

We as members of St. Andrew's Community--students, faculty, administration, and parents--believe in and agree to uphold the values of honesty, equality, trust, respect. It is our common responsibility to preserve these ideals by our actions.