Last year, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School embarked on a challenge: to more clearly articulate how its Episcopal identity guides the school community as part of its accreditation process.

The challenge to those tasked with this project was to consider the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) principles of good practice while taking into consideration the particular makeup of St. Andrew’s, particularly the religious makeup of the student body, which is 20% Episcopalian and otherwise made up of other denominations and faith traditions.

Over two rounds of consideration, one by a small group considering the NAES principles and how the school lives into them and another by a larger group comprised of current administrators, board members, parents, and alumni, a statement was conceived, centering around four concepts:

• We welcome.
  We respect the dignity of every human being and celebrate our diverse community.
• We worship.
  We dedicate weekly chapel time – grounded in the Episcopal and Anglican traditions – to the holistic growth of our bodies, minds and spirits. We draw upon the many faiths in our community for lessons of wisdom, compassion, and values.
• We wonder.
  We value lifelong learning, human reason, and critical thinking in the pursuit of knowledge and truth.
• We love.
  We draw strength from the teachings of Jesus, which inspire us to live a life of service to others and to seek justice, equity, and peace in our world.