About EDS — Episcopal Day School

Why Choose Episcopal Day School?

For over sixty years, Episcopal Day School has been committed to the idea that children are the sum of three parts: mind, body, and spirit. Thinking holistically, each one of these attributes melds with the other two, creating the remarkable persona of an Episcopal Day School student. All three aspects are significant, valued, and flourish beginning with an exceptional preschool program and culminating with the 5th grade.

We place students at the center of the educational experience each day and in the midst of a tight-knit school community that has a shared love of learning. With small class sizes, our talented faculty can devote additional time to curriculum development and student success. We inspire our students to think boldly, follow their curiosities, communicate their ideas, collaborate with their peers, and be actively engaged in the learning process. This was true of Episcopal Day School in 1959, and it is true today.

Mission & Beliefs

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning by engaging the mind, body, and spirit in a nurturing community grounded in Episcopal history, tradition, and identity.

Episcopal Day School Statement of Episcopal Identity

Episcopal Day School values the dignity of every human being as a child of God. We strive to live with honor, integrity, and respect for all. We are committed to creating, maintaining, and nurturing a diverse, safe, and inclusive environment as we prepare children for lives of service, intellectual discovery, integrity, morality, and purpose.

We worship together to grow spiritually. We gather in Chapel every Tuesday and Thursday for prayer and thanksgiving for God’s blessings in our lives. Our worship conforms to the Book of Common Prayer. We welcome people of all faith traditions. Together, we wonder about how we can love God and our neighbor as we discern our spiritual gifts and bear God’s image to the world.

We embrace diversity in our school community. Diversity enhances the quality of the education that EDS provides and is essential to the development of well-rounded people.

We explore Christianity as it relates to the Fruit of the Spirit and the world around us to develop an understanding and respect of people and cultures. Sacred Studies class encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of our chapel services, the Fruit of the Spirit, and a lifelong desire to pursue faith, justice, and truth.

We serve the world around us by responding to the needs of others. Through community service, our students are instilled with a sense of lifelong responsibility for the world God has entrusted to our care. Serving others raises social awareness in our global context and develops compassion, empathy, and a heart open to others. We believe that we are following Christ’s teachings when we share our blessings of resources, time, and commitment.

* Adapted from the National Association of Episcopal Schools Principles of Good Practice

Message from Head of School

What a blessing it is to walk through the red doors of Episcopal Day School each day…a school that recognizes and celebrates the inherent worth and needs of each child. An EDS education is about much more than just academics. Thanks to our school’s plentiful experiential learning opportunities, active character education program, and an encouraging, supportive faculty, the mind, body, and spirit of every student is nurtured daily. We know our students and families well—which is why we can support them so thoroughly through the growth and development that happen during these extraordinary early years.

In the Episcopal tradition, we worship together to grow spiritually, gathering in Chapel every Tuesday and Thursday for prayer and thanksgiving for God’s blessings in our lives. We embrace diversity in our school community, enhancing the quality of the education that EDS provides and the development of well-rounded people. We explore Christianity as it relates to the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23) and the world around us to develop an understanding and respect of people and cultures. We serve the world around us by responding to the needs of others through community service, instilling a sense of lifelong responsibility for the world God has entrusted to our care.

Our goal is to develop habits of work and habits of mind in our students to prepare them for the world they will be entering. Our success is reflected in the many graduates who return to campus to visit, volunteer, and tell us of their comfort and success in continued education, the work force, and ultimately in their communities.

We hope you will visit our campus and give us the opportunity to show you our comprehensive program in action. You will see engaged and excited students who truly love learning and being at school. Please join us on this exciting journey.

Warmly,

Jill Connett, Ed.D.

Episcopal Day School at a Glance

* Since 1959, Episcopal Day School has been providing exceptional education in a Christian environment to children from age three through grade 5.

* It is known throughout the area for its long-standing commitment to each child and for preparing each one to become enlightened citizens of the 21st century.

* Its campus, in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, spans over four acres on the historic grounds of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

* The facilities include 17 classrooms, a lunch room, a library and computer center, a music room, an art room, a multi-use common room, two playgrounds, a field, and the church’s beautiful Anglican-like sanctuary.

* EDS is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

* EDS is a member in good standing of The North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES).

* All students, regardless of race, religious beliefs, and orientation are welcome at Episcopal Day School.