The E in ESA

Happy New Year! That may sound odd to you, but for those of us who have spent our lives in education, we are blessed with two New Years’ celebrations! (Personally, this one has always been the better of the two…)

 

Last week, David Madison, president of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), sent out an introductory email about what it means to be an Episcopal school, which our Cade campus chaplain, Mr. Fuller adapted specifically to ESA. It’s a beautiful reminder of where we fit in the spectrum of schools and why we are so successful. It’s a great starting point. So what does the “Big E” mean in our name?

 

An Episcopal School is an independent school rooted in the Christian heritage. We also serve families from a variety of faith backgrounds - and families with no faith tradition at all. We are unapologetically Episcopalian, but we also welcome our neighbors from a variety of faith perspectives and backgrounds into our community. We love our neighbors as ourselves, just as Jesus commanded us to do. 

 

So what does that look like at ESA? Here are four things you can count on:

 

1 - We educate for wisdom, knowledge, and skills. Just as Jesus “grew in wisdom,” we seek the same for our students. We promote academic excellence in the liberal arts tradition of drawing from a variety of disciplines. This promotes a lifelong love of learning that will serve our students beyond their time at this school — not just in college but throughout their entire lives.

 

2 - ESA educates for hope and aspiration. We approach the future with optimism while still keeping our eyes wide open about the world in which we live. We see failure as an opportunity for rebirth and growth — not a measure of our worth or a reason to become pessimistic or defeated.

 

3 - ESA educates for community and living well together. Contrary to what our students may hear from the world around them, a good life is relational as opposed to simply chasing after selfish goals. God has given us gifts so that we can use those gifts in service of others. This is one of the most important messages that our students will leave this school with.

 

4 - ESA educates for dignity and respect. We recognize and safeguard the inherent dignity of every human being. We acknowledge by what we say and what we do that everyone is a beloved child of God.

 

Sometimes in the chaos of our academic lives, these four things aren’t always easy to see, but it is at the heart of our work here at ESA. It’s the core of our shared lives here and creates a sense of belonging and an authentic sense of place, a safe and loving community where everyone is challenged to grow intellectually, spiritually, and physically. It is a place where we instill the habits of scholarship and honor in every student. “A place of study and a place of play. The place where I made the friends I love today, where excellence was pursued and gained, beneath the oaks, amid the cane.” These words of our alma mater, written by one of our iconic teachers, Arthur White, stand as a reminder of the power of this place. If you are new to ESA, welcome to this unique and transformative community. If you are returning, welcome home. Areté!