To Belong is to Flourish
Episcopal’s mission is to prepare young people with the intellectual and moral courage to act with integrity and honor, stand up for what is right, demonstrate empathy and respect, lead with humility and kindness, and approach the world with curiosity and an open mind that values diverse perspectives.
A strong community, built in no small part on equitable access to its richness, is central to accomplishing this mission through a dynamic that is at once instructive and liberating: Students learn through the experience of thriving alongside one another, forging strength from their range of vantage points and backgrounds to become their best selves, poised for leadership.
The Office of Community & Equity supports the School’s mission by nurturing a vibrant, diverse learning environment premised on the dignity and respect made possible through mutual appreciation and self-discovery.
Working closely with individual students and on School-wide initiatives, the Office facilitates learning by bringing people together through understanding, positivity, focus on commonalities, and celebration of differences. Through these efforts, the School lives its belief that when a culture of belonging is foundational, and when students gain the skill to build it, we give them their best opportunity to pursue lives of ethical leadership and service with intellectual and moral courage.
The Office of Community & Equity supports the School’s mission by nurturing a vibrant, diverse learning environment premised on the dignity and respect made possible through mutual appreciation and self-discovery. |
| Affinity Spaces |
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The term “affinity space” describes a space that is set aside for people who share an important aspect of their social, ethnic, or cultural identity. At Episcopal, we currently set aside spaces based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, international status, and the experience of having lost a family member. Affinity Spaces at Episcopal are facilitated by adults in order to allow students of shared identity to gather, talk in a safe space about issues related to that identity, and transfer that discussion into action that makes for a more equitable experience for everyone at school. Our facilitators focus each individual space around three principles — rejuvenation, affirmation, and self-love — with the overarching objective that students develop and retain the confidence to bring their complete selves into full participation and sharing in Episcopal’s culture more broadly. |
| Alliance of Asian Cultures & Experiences (AACE) |
| The Alliance of Asian Cultures & Experiences (AACE) seeks to educate the EHS community and explore different viewpoints in order to broaden the collective horizon. Its mission is to raise awareness on what it means to be part of the Asian community, to develop an understanding of Asian cultures and traditions, to create a safe environment where all voices are heard and welcomed, and to respect, acknowledge, and celebrate differences. |
| Black Student Alliance (BSA) |
| Black Student Alliance (BSA) is a student-led organization dedicated to celebrating and spreading awareness of the rich culture of the African Diaspora at Episcopal High School. By initiating conversations among students, hosting organized events, and showcasing our culture, we aim to make Episcopal an inclusive and open space for Black students. A focus of the group is educating the School community on the vast aspects of African American culture through authentic experiences, both on and off campus, and highlighting the significance of being a Black student and leader at Episcopal in support of helping shape the experience of Black students at the School. |
| Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) |
| The Episcopal High School Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) provides a safe forum for discussion and reflection on issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. Our mission is to work toward a more accepting environment for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, through education, support, social action, and advocacy. |
| Mi Gente |
| We, Mi Gente, strive to reach out and interactively raise awareness by facilitating events which highlight our culture, creating a more collaborative and inclusive Episcopal High School community. |
| Student Diversity Leadership Conference Cohort |
| Episcopal High School is committed to sending students and faculty to the National Association for Independent School’s (NAIS's) annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) and People of Color Conference (PoCC). This event addresses two important needs: the need for people of color to come together for networking and support, and the need for schools to find ways to build and sustain inclusive communities. Both SDLC and PoCC serve as energizing, revitalizing gatherings for people who experience independent schools differently. Episcopal hopes that each cohort of students and faculty who attend SDLC/PoCC will return to our community to implement new programs and activities to better our School. |
| STEP Program |
| Designed to support newly admitted students transitioning to the EHS community, STEP (Supporting Transitions at Episcopal) offers a pre-orientation followed by ongoing programming throughout the school year. The program provides early connection to essential academic and social resources, proving especially valuable for students new to independent or residential school settings. Contact STEP@episcopalhighschool.org for further details. |
Marking 50 Years of Integration
This history of Episcopal’s integration, filmed and produced by Luke David ’93, debuted on November 9, 2018, as part of Episcopal’s commemoration of the School’s integration in 1968.
Click to read about how EHS commemorated 50 years
of integration in 2018
