The purpose and philosophy of Episcopal High School of Jacksonville

Episcopal High School was founded with a very specific vision of what the School should become. The chaplain is just one of the primary stewards of this wonderful charge that we have received. In Luke 12:48, Jesus says, “From him to whom much has been given, much is expected. From him to whom much has been entrusted, much more is demanded.” It is in that spirit that many of us read these excerpts and hold them to be the ideal to which we aspire. This is the plumb line that we use to measure ourselves. Are we perfect? Do we always meet these high standards? No, we do not. But they remain the basis for our understanding of excellence and truth.

We invite all of our present and particularly potential faculty and staff to engage these portions of our founding document: the Report of the Episcopal High School of Jacksonville Planning Group.

Father Bob Marsh
Chaplain

The following are quotes from our founding document, which we lovingly refer to as 'the purple book.'

Our founders' vision 

Purpose

The purpose should be to provide a quality college-preparatory education in a Christian context and environment. This can be achieved only in a school atmosphere where there is complete dedication to this goal. The architecture, the landscaping, and all physical appointments are of importance. The teaching staff should consist of cultured men and women who are committed churchmen and churchwomen, with marked leadership qualifications. This School should seek to educate, and, in accomplishing this, very heavy stress should be on content. This should not be a so-called 'progressive' school. It should not be an 'environmental-adjustment' school as such, because the emphasis here should be on leadership. Physical, mental, moral and spiritual health should be stressed, and moral, ethical and spiritual values should be emphasized. Manners should be taught, and should be required in all phases of school life. The appreciation of beauty, honor, and a decent respect for the opinions of others should be stressed. The school should seek by positive programs to inculcate a love of country, pride in region and state, and respect for the rule of law. Our high goal should be the development of Christian leadership. And by 'leadership,' we do not mean the all-too-familiar method of leading by promising all men the things they want. On the contrary, we mean a leadership which seeks to find what is really best for man, and then seeks to lead him through the rational processes of persuasion. Masses do not lead, they follow. Trained and dedicated leadership by Christian men and women is the terrible and impelling need of mankind today. Man must once again be made relevant to his high destiny, and this can be done only by those with keen and discerning minds who have been especially schooled for the task.

Philosophy

The philosophical presupposition will be that the educational process is complete only in a Christian context and environment where religious and secular knowledge are synthesized. The existence of the Holy Trinity and the historic facts of the Virgin Birth, of the Crucifixion, and of the Resurrection & Ascension will be postulated. Christianity will be offered as the way of life. The centrality and supremacy of God will be the point of departure in all teaching. All knowledge will be accepted as flowing from God. The summary of the Faith in the Nicene Creed to which we subscribe permits nothing less.