About

Episcopal Traditions

Independent Episcopal schools are Christian communities where spiritual and moral development are integrated with a high quality educational experience. Independent Episcopal schools are most distinctive when they are true to this mission, and yet do so in an inclusive manner. Independent Episcopal schools, while not parish day schools, are communities that honor God and strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.

- Episcopal Traditions
  
  Festival of Lessons and Carolds

List of 6 items.

An Episcopal school is comprehensive and inclusive.

The Episcopal school encourages respect for another person’s beliefs. Saint Edward’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, or national origin, and actively seeks out faculty and students of diverse backgrounds and traditions in the belief that they bring something to be valued and respected, and because we would like to be broadly inclusive of the community we serve.
The unity of an Episcopal school is based on rite and tradition rather than on doctrine.

In an Episcopal school, there will not be a single dogma to which all subscribe. We respect the faith traditions and beliefs of other faiths and we cherish such faith-based opportunities as recitation of the school prayer, observance of Christian holidays, experiencing religious music, and recognition of sacred spaces and times such as chapel services, because they bring our community together, respecting the diversity of beliefs that we hold.
An Episcopal school values the integration of faith and reason as the means for determining and understanding truth.

The Judeo-Christian focus on the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule, explored in various informal ways as well as in structured courses such as Character Education and Ethics, constitutes the moral center of our community.
An Episcopal school has a concern for the well-being of society.

Our School Chaplain is not only the spiritual guide for our School community, but he takes a leadership role in spearheading community service projects and initiatives that involve our entire School: students, faculty, staff, and families.
The traditions of the Episcopal Church manifest a commitment to be involved in shaping society.

Saint Edward’s School makes this concern for society a vital part of our program as one of the foremost private schools in Florida. The school helps students to understand that they do not exist apart from society, that society’s issues are their issues, and that they are called to respond to the needs of others.
An Episcopal school is founded on love.

Love for students, for their value as children of God, for their unique gifts, underpins everything. We must act out of love, teach love, model love, and love one another in our community above all else, or all else will be meaningless. At Saint Edward’s, living according to the Golden Rule is our primary expectation of both students and adults. The nurturing of students’ spiritual well-being is as critical as is nurturing the well-being of their minds and bodies.