St. Andrew's is an Episcopal school. As a middle and a high school, our business is the formation of people whose lives are changing radically. Faculty are asked to be coaches, advisors, disciplinarians, cheer leaders, directors, producers, confidants, counselors, hope givers, and reality checkers.

The Episcopal part of our name and identity says that we do, indeed, affirm that God-and God's power, spirit, plan, hope and promise-is part and parcel of formation of people becoming who they are created to be, and discovering the gifts with which they have been created. Here, we encourage students in their faith development and help them gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to claim opinions, make arguments, and form religious expressions sensibly and meaningfully.

What we do as an Episcopal School is important. Once a week, we come together for chapel. It is music, reading, response, prayer and silence. It is done in an Episcopal way most of the time, but it is accessible to all in our community. Even if a participant believes nothing, it is still essential and important because it is the one and only thing we all do together on a regular basis. Therefore, chapel is a centering time, affirming community and seeking God's power and presence as a continuance of formation, and lifting our lives to the possibility and generosity of God.

As an Episcopal School, we enjoy a wonderfully liberal perspective on growth and learning. We are neither isolated in secularism nor confined by religiosity. We take time to do things which are important, to hold up our lives to hope. There is no better way to live, to teach, to form and help reform God's world.