EHS Speak

Terms S-Z

SAT

Student Assistance Team extends aid to students in need of special support. A full definition can be found in the Student Handbook.

Safe Spaces

Designated spaces for each dorm to go to as part of the School’s emergency response plan.

School Archives

Located above the EHS Bookstore, the School Archives houses historical documents and items from the very beginning of the School’s history to today.

School Year Abroad

Through Episcopal's membership in School Year Abroad, qualified juniors and seniors take part in yearlong study abroad programs in China, France, Italy, Spain, Vietnam and Japan.

Seated Lunch/Dinner

Seated meals occurs during the academic week. At “advisory” meals, students sit with their faculty advisor and the rest of their advisory group. At “rotation” meals, students are randomly assigned to tables with a faculty member and several other students. Seated Dinner is on Monday nights and commonly referred to just as “Seated.”

Seminary Hill Cup

Found in 2008, the Seminary Hill Cup (SHC) is an annual match-up between rivals EHS and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes girls’ athletics, with athletes on the varsity and junior varsity teams competing to claim the title of the cup.

Senior Merits

Seniors may earn up to four Senior Merits per semester. A Merit may be used to remove a Category I restriction, or to reduce a Category II, II, or IV restriction to a lesser Category. Merit requests must be in the Dean’s Office by Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Seniors may only use one Merit in a week. Merits do not roll over from the first to the second semester.

Senior Parents’ Gift

Since 1996, the parents and grandparents of the senior class have generously funded a special Roll Call gift to Episcopal High School in honor of their children.

Senior Parent Roll Call Committee

A group of parents volunteer from the senior class that spearhead the Senior Parents' Roll Call Gift.

Senior Seminar

The Senior Seminar offers EHS seniors the opportunity to broaden their educational experience through participation in work or service projects in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area. They are encouraged to avail themselves of the numerous opportunities for independent study the Nation's Capital offers – service organizations, legislative offices on Capitol Hill, law firms corporations, research labs, small businesses, hospitals, etc. – or to put together a focused independent study project here on campus.

Service Council

One of the most active clubs on campus, the Service Council hosts fundraisers and arranges volunteer opportunities at local elementary schools, day care centers, Head Start programs, homeless shelters, food banks, and environmental sites.

SNASH

Saturday Night Academic Study Hall is a proctored evening study hall that is part of the consequence for being on restriction.

Spectrum

Spectrum consists of passionate student volunteers that not only educate, but explore different perspectives in order to broaden the EHS community’s horizon. The group strives to acknowledge and celebrate uniqueness, a powerful tool that brings outside perspectives into our own community. By embracing these points of views, differences strengthen and enrich Episcopal. The group values the radiance of each individual’s unique qualities that collectively shine as one beautiful spectrum.

Spirit of the High School Dinner

A dinner held on the Friday night before “The Game.” It is a celebratory dinner that alumni, parents, and faculty are invited to attend. Students have a separate dinner and are not permitted to take leaves to go off campus. Everyone joins together at the bonfire.

Spirit Weekend

Spirit Weekend is centered around The Game, the football game between EHS and Woodberry Forest School held each November. One of the longest continuous high school rivalries, The Game has been played for the last 110 years. Spirit Weekend events include The Spirit of The High School Dinner and the Bonfire, both held Friday night, as well as tailgating before and after The Game on Saturday.

Stewart Gym

Stewart Gym was constructed in 1913, at the conclusion of Headmaster Launcelot Blackford’s tenure. It served as the first athletic facility on campus and is now a multiple-purpose space.

Student Vestry

A group of students selected by the school chaplains and other Vestry members who provide spiritual leadership for the student body and assist with the Chapel Program.

Summer Study Abroad

EHS sponsors summer language and cultural programs (lasting about four weeks) that take students to France, Spain, and Austria. The programs include homestays with local families, classroom study, and visits to historical and cultural sites. To qualify, students must have completed the 9th grade and at least two years of foreign language study in German, French, or Spanish.

Supervised and Unsupervised Study

During the academic day and in the evening from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., specific time has been set aside for students to study. The evening period of study is certainly the most important and one which the School makes every attempt to protect and preserve from distraction or incursion. Students’ rooms are their primary place of study. Supervised study halls are available during the day and evening for those who require it.

Valedictory

Held the Friday night before Commencement, awards are presented for student academic and athletic achievements at this School-wide ceremony.

Vespers

A nighttime chapel service that is held on a Monday approximately once a month.

The Washington Program

The Washington Program provides the opportunity to use the resources of the capital area. The ninth grade and tenth grade World History courses introduce the student to the structured use of Washington resources. There are class-oriented tours on Wednesdays that generally involve about half of the students in the School. These tours include theater and concert trips for English, theater, and music classes. In addition, there are many voluntary outings. For seniors in good academic standing, the culmination of this program comes with participation in the Senior Seminar.

Weekend Restriction

(See “Restriction.")

Whispers

The EHS School Yearbook.

Work Hours

One of the main forms of consequence. Work hours are held Saturdays and Sundays from 9-11 a.m.

Wrestling Cage

Wrestling practices and meets are held in “The Cage.”

Writing Center

The Writing Center offers students help with organization, writing claim statements, finding supporting quotes, composition, and/or editing. Located on the second floor of the Learning Center, the Writing Center is open from 8 to 9 p.m. every evening. Students drop by at 8 p.m. or schedule appointments by checking the schedule on the door.

Yellow Paper

Filling out a Day/Evening Leave Form (Yellow Paper, most commonly referred to as “Yellow”) is required for student to sign-out Friday through Sunday to visit the D.C. area as long as their school commitments are completed. These leaves cost no leave points.