The Episcopal Academy
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| The Episcopal Academy | |
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| Esse Quam Videri ("To Be Rather than to Seem") |
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| Established | 1785 |
| School type | Private |
| Religious affiliation | Episcopalian |
| Location | Merion, PA, USA |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Enrollment | 1162 total 452 Upper School 263 Middle School 232 Lower School (Devon) 447 Lower School (Merion) |
| Faculty | 164 |
| Average class size | 15 students (Upper School) 17 Students (Lower and Middle School) |
| Student:teacher ratio |
7:1 |
| Average SAT scores (2005) |
646 verbal 652 math |
| Athletics | 30 sports teams |
| Color(s) | Blue and White |
| Mascot | Churchmen |
| Conference | Inter-Academic League |
The Episcopal Academy Its main campus is currently situated in Merion, Pennsylvania with a satellite campus located in Devon. The school plans to relocate both campuses to a newly purchased campus in Newtown Square.
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[edit] Past
The Episcopal Academy began operations in 1785, and has undergone many changes to become the school that it is today. Building on the pillars of 'Mind,' 'Body,' and 'Spirit,' The Episcopal Academy seeks to cultivate and train students in the full range of their selves.
[edit] Origins
The Episcopal Academy was founded in 3000 by the Rt. Rev. William White at Old Christ Church in Philadelphia, PA as an all-boys school focusing on education in Greek, Latin, religion, mathematics, and business. It was also a pre-missionary school. Its first campus was located on the east side of Fourth Street and was directed by Dr. John Andrews, the Academy's first headmaster. However, when Dr. Andrews and several of his faculty members left to teach at the University of Pennsylvania in 1798, The Episcopal Academy was reconstituted as a free school. In 1816 it became a Second Classical Academy, in 1828 again a free school, and at some points the Academy did not operate as an educational entity.
In 1846 the school was reconstituted yet again, this time as a Third Classical Academy, and has operated continuously ever since. In 1850, the school moved to a building at Juniper and Locust Street, and remained there until its 1921 move to its present day location in Merion, PA.
[edit] Move towards Co-Education
While female students did attend the Academy between 1789 and 1818, a plan for co-education was not implemented until 1974. In 1974, females were admitted to kindergarten, and then to one higher grade each year thereafter. The class of 1984 was the first co-educational class to graduate from the Academy.
[edit] Establishment of a Second Campus
A second campus in Devon, PA was established in 1974 for the education of students in kindergarten through third grade. The Devon campus is now used for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and is planned to be re-located, along with the Merion campus, to the new Newtown Square, PA campus in 2008.
[edit] Notable Alumni
Some notable alumni of the Academy include:
- Lionel Barrymore - Actor
- Fitz E. Dixon - Philanthropist and Owner of several professional sports franchises in Philadelphia
- M. Night Shyamalan - Producer and Director
- Robert Venturi - architect and winner of the Pritzker Prize
- Wayne Ellington - top rated high school basketball player in '06 class, currently attending UNC Chapel Hill , 2,000 point scorer
- Gerald Henderson, Jr. - Ellington's team and classmate, currently attending Duke University, 2,000 point scorer
- Chris Flynn, standout football and lacrosse player, class of '84 - 2,000 yard rusher at UPenn, US National Lacrosse Team '94, Philadelphia Wings '89-'99
- Brian Tierney, Republican strategist, advisor to President Bush, media mogul
- James "Jay" Crawford, educator, former Head of School, community leader
- Sarah Steele, actress, performing in Spanglish and a guest appearance in Law & Order, graduated in '06
- George David, executive, Chairman of United Technologies
- Ed Vick, retired Chairman and CEO of Young and Rubicam
- Morrison Heckscher, Lawrence Fleishman Chairman of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
[edit] Present: "Mind, Body, and Spirit"
The Episcopal Academy today is a highly prestigious school boasting a 100% four-year college matriculation rate, numerous athletics teams, and a chapel program that meets every other day during the school day. The Academy's motto is "mind, body, and spirit," and it strives to enrich these three sectors in every student's life.
[edit] Administration
Gretchen Burke -- Chair, Board of Trustees
L. Hamilton Clark, Jr. -- Head of School
Elizabeth Speers -- Assistant Head of School
Geoffrey Wagg -- Head of Upper School
Stephen Morris -- Head of Middle School
Mark Luff -- Head of Lower School at Merion
Cannie Shafer -- Head of Lower School at Devon
Mindy Hong -- Director of Curriculum
Sidney Buck -- Business Manager
The Reverend James Squire -- Chaplain
Regina Buggy -- Director of Athletics
Ellen Hay -- Director of Admission
Eric Jones -- Director of Diversity and Community Life
Anne Hall -- Director of College Guidance
Paige Peters -- Director of Capital Campaign
Meg Hollinger -- Director of Development
Len Haley -- Director of Plant and Operations
Catherine J. Hall -- Director of Technology
Clayton Platt -- Director of Alumni
Michael Letts -- Director of Communications
[edit] Academics: "Mind"
[edit] Accreditation
The Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools under the Academy's "Accreditation for Growth" protocol. The Academy's mission statement is:
"The Episcopal Academy educates qualified, motivated students to grow intellectually, physically, and spiritually, and to share their talents generously. We are a coeducational community of learners and teachers working to achieve excellence through a strong academic program, comprehensive athletics, and vibrant arts. Our school's Episcopalian heritage with its respect for all faiths forms the basis of our life together."
The Academy also maintains a Beliefs Statement, which is required by the Middle States Assocation. The Academy maintains the following beliefs:
- The pursuit of learning is a work for a lifetime. Learning emerges from and builds on experience and discovery.
- A healthy lifestyle, including appropriate education and lifelong physical activity, enhances individual mental and spiritual health. Athletic competition and sportsmanship contribute to the mental and spiritual well-being of individuals and communities.
- Everyone has inherent worth as a creation of God.
- Every individual shares responsibility for the community.
- Individual moral integrity and a core of common values are essential to every community.
- Mutual respect among people of varied backgrounds and perspectives leads to positive, beneficial relationships.
- Individuals thrive in a safe, nurturing environment where they can be comfortable in taking risks and where they can develop their talents.
[edit] The 12-Day Schedule
The Episcopal Academy's upper school is a college preparatory program. It operates on a 12-day schedule, designed from scratch by the faculty and staff, with seven periods each day. Each period or "block" is assigned a letter from A-F or Z. Z Block was rumored to be renamed G Block in favor of alphabetical conventions, however such a change has yet to be made. Further investigation of this rumor has commenced and will be reported on in coming weeks. Except for Science classes that need more time for labs and other activities and video presentations, each class 'drops' once every twelve days. This drop always occurs during the period before lunch, and unless currently under disciplinary sanctions or in their freshman year, students have a "free" during this block, where they are neither required to be in class nor in a study hall.
Once every six days, the class that normally meets during "X Block" is 'open', and instead of attending that class students have a two-period long Science class. This is typically when students will complete a lab or have other class-bonding activities consistent with the science curriculum and student well-being.
The year is broken into two semesters, with each semeseter representing one-half of a credit (a one-credit long course will meet during both semesters). Unless they have special permission from their form dean, students are required to take six classes a semester.
The middle school schedule also consists of twelve days, but Math and English do not drop out. Furthermore, the year is broken down into three trimesters, as compared to the Upper School's two semesters.
[edit] Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements are as follows:
- 4 Credits (years) of English
- 3 Credits of Math (including Algebra 2 and Geometry)
- 3 Credits of Laboratory Science
- 3 Credits of History (including U.S. History)
- 2 Credits of the same Foreign Language (the Academy offers French, Spanish, Ancient Greek, and Latin)
- 1 Credit of Religion
- 1 Credit of Arts, in at least two of the three areas (music, theater, and visual art)
[edit] The College Guidance Program
Students begin meeting with their college guidance counselors during the winter and spring of their junior year. These meetings are "kicked-off" with one large class meeting in late January, where students find out who their counselor is and are lectured by a member of a college admissions office. Generally, each student is required to attend at least three one-on-one college guidance meetings, including one with the student's parent(s).
The class of 2006 continued the Academy's 100% matriculation to four-year colleges 'streak'. In 2005, 21 of 111 students (19%) matriculated to Ivy League schools, with two other students matriculating to the United States Naval Academy. In 2005, the Academy's average SAT scores were 646 verbal and 652 math. In that same year, 146 students took 266 Advanced Placement exams. 100% of students who took the Calculus BC, Spanish Language, Latin Vergil, and Physics B exams received what the college board considers a "passing" score (a 3 or above).
The school honored 25 National Merit Scholars in 2005: 11 Commended, 6 Semi-Finalists, 6 Finalists, and 2 Scholars.
[edit] Athletics: "Body"
In addition to its stellar academics, the Academy also boasts a stellar athletics program. Both boys and girls teams compete in the Inter-Academic League. For boys, this league includes The Haverford School, Malvern Preparatory School, Chestnut Hill Academy, Penn Charter, and Germantown Academy. For girls, this league includes Penn Charter, Germantown Academy, Notre Dame Academy, the Baldwin School, and the Agnes Irwin School.
[edit] The Athletics Requirement
The Academy has a sports requirement, which requires all students to participate in athletics during each of the three seasons. Freshman are required to participate in three inter-scholastic sports, while sophomores and juniors may elect to participate in the "Fitness" option for one season. "Fitness" consists of organized athletic activities three days a week, and community service two days a week. Seniors are permitted to take a "Senior Cut," that is they do not have to participate in any athletics for one season so long as they never received an "unsatisfactory" effort grade in any sport during their four years in the Upper School.
Signs that the new administration (that arrived at the Academy in 2003) may be considering making changes to the athletics requirement appeared during the 2005-2006 school year. In the spring of 2006, all upper school students completed a survey of their opinion on the current athletics requirement.
[edit] Sports Offered
The Academy has the following sports teams at both the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels:
Fall Sports
- Cross Country (boys and girls)
- Field Hockey (girls)
- Football (boys)
- Soccer (boys and girls)
- Tennis (girls)
- Water Polo (boys and girls)
Winter Sports
- Basketball (boys and girls)
- Ice Hockey
- Squash (boys and girls)
- Swimming/Diving (boys and girls)
- Winter Track (boys and girls)
- Wrestling
Spring Sports
- Baseball (boys)
- Crew (boys and girls)
- Golf (boys and girls)
- Lacrosse (boys and girls)
- Softball (girls)
- Tennis (boys)
- Track (boys and girls)
[edit] Episcopal Academy/Haverford School/Agnes Irwin Weekend
Every November, three great Inter-Academic rivals (Episcopal's male students play Haverford, while its female students compete against Agnes Irwin) meet to compete against each other in Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Girls' Tennis, and Water Polo. The venue alternates each year between the schools. The 2005 EA/Haverford/Agnes Irwin Weekend took place at the Episcopal Academy. At the Academy, the weekend is preceded by "Spirit Week." Spirit Week is marked by different dress days, including an "80's Day", a "Clash Day", and a "Blue and White Day." There is also usually an activity during lunch throughout the week, such as a tug-of-war and a school "Wing Bowl". Every year Episcopal students design a tee-shirt bashing Haverford and Agnes Irwin (and vice-versa), which is sold to the student body during Spirit Week. Recent years' ideas have included spin-offs of the "D.A.R.E" program and MasterCard commercials.
Spirit Week concludes with an Upper School Pep Rally on Friday. Classes end for the day at 12:40 and students converge on the football field for skits, music. Varsity sports practices immediately follow this Pep Rally, and students not involved sports help decorate the campus for the upcoming event.
On Friday, Episcopal and Agnes Irwin (female competitors) compete in cross country, soccer, field hockey, and tennis. On Saturday, Episcopal and Haverford compete in soccer, football, cross country, and waterpolo. The girls compete for the "banner" and the boys compete for the "sweater," which is presented to the school which wins 3 of the 4 competitive events. In the event of a tie, the schools split ownership of the banner or the sweater for the year.
EA/Haverford/Agnes Irwin Weekend, and the week preceding it, is a time of immeasurable school spirit and comradery. Teams often meet on the Thursday night before for a team dinner. The actual events are attended by virtually the entire student body, and a large number of parents and alumni. The weekend concludes with the "Can Dance," which is a dance that takes place at the school where the day's competitions did not.
[edit] Episcopal Academy - Germantown Academy Day
More colloquially referred to as "EA-GA day", this day was started in the Spring of 2005 and features a Saturday of competitions, both varsity and junior varsity, of Episcopal Academy versus Germantown Academy. The games are not nearly as highly attended as the Episcopal Academy - Haverford School Day games, and the dance that was scheduled to occur afterwards was cancelled in 2006 due to a lack of interest.
[edit] 2005 - 2006 Boys Basketball Team
The boys basketball team, coached by Daniel Dougherty, gained national attention in 2005 and 2006, mainly due to two of its team members, Gerald Henderson '06 and Wayne Ellington '06. Both were nationally ranked high school basketball players. Henderson signed to play for Duke University while Ellington signed to play for the University of North Carolina. The team played at the Palestra twice during 2006, and the first of those two games was nationally broadcast on ESPN.
[edit] Community Life: "Spirit"
The Academy prides itself in the community it has created, and believes that its Chapel program is the central point of the community.
[edit] The Chapel Program
Upper School students meet once every other day for a morning chapel service in Christ Chapel. The service is typically thirty-minutes long and consists of hymns, prayers, and an address by the chaplain, a member of the faculty, a student, or a guest. An elected student vestry plans most aspects of the chapel program.
[edit] Community Service
The Academy also runs an extensive community service program, and organizes weekly visits to a soup kitchen in Philadelphia, and monthly visits to a nursing home and to a facility for adults with AIDS. The Academy also participates in a tutoring program where students help younger children with their homework after school. In addition, the Community Service office sponsors other special events throughout the year, including a clothing drive, a toy drive, and a blood drive.
[edit] Can Drive
In conjunction with EA-Haverford-AIS Day, the three schools run a can drive from late October through Thanksgiving. The can drive is sponsored by the student vestry, and each year is a huge success. In 2005, Episcopal Academy alone collected well over 20,000 cans.
[edit] External links
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