EHS Mission

Episcopal High School, founded and guided by the Diocese of Texas, is an inclusive and joyful Christian community where students discover and develop their individual talents through the Four Pillars – academics, arts, athletics, religion – preparing for meaningful lives in service to others.

EHS MISSION STRONGER THAN EVER

Re‑Stated Mission Brings Out Key Qualities

A great school mission statement is like a mirror that reflects a school’s values, approach, and aspirations. As part of Episcopal High School’s Strategic Plan published in September 2018, the Institutional Stability Committee of the EHS Board of Trustees was tasked with reviewing and reworking EHS’s Mission Statement and Guiding Principles, which hadn’t been revised since the School’s founding in 1983. All board members were invited to participate in the review, and the primary goal was to make the language clear and concise, so that the mission could be posted throughout campus and recognized and valued by prospective and current students.

Head of School Ned Smith appointed board of trustee member Matthew K. Baird to lead the effort and Associate Head of School Nancy Eisenberg as the administrative liaison. Smith wanted to ensure that all constituencies were involved in the process. Everyone agreed that what was needed was a re-stating of the mission, not a substantial change.

“This mission has stood the test of time. The founding trustees and the newest trustees are all united by the same ideals,” says Baird. “What we decided to do was whittle down the words and make the statement concise. We agreed to leave our egos at the door and brainstorm several versions.”

Eisenberg says the group focused on five key elements: The Four Pillars, the Episcopal identity, inclusion, preparing for significant lives, and elements of joy. “We’ve lived it now for 35 years. The core ideals of the mission are unwavering,” she says. The committee determined they would state the school’s name at the start of the sentence, include the connection with the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, use words and phrases such as inclusive and joyful, discover and develop through the Four Pillars— and finally, declare the School’s aspirational outcome for all graduates— meaningful lives in service to others.

Baird and Eisenberg agree the challenge was finding language that reflected the original intent and was agreeable to all—and that flowed well. They started with the original statement of 117 words and four sentences and edited that down to 42 words and one sentence.

“This mission truly reflects our approach to education: Students discover and develop talents through the Four Pillars, and that is the pathway through which they develop meaningful lives in service to others,” Eisenberg explains.

Baird shares that one of the most rewarding moments of this project was when the veteran faculty—including many English teachers— enthusiastically gave the thumbs up on the new wording last February. He and Eisenberg then presented the new statement to various groups throughout the spring, including former trustees, the Alumni Directors Council, Student Council, the Dads Club Board, and the Parents Association Board. “The process was shockingly refreshing,” admits Baird. “I was proud to play a role.

“I look at this as my modest contribution to the School,” he continues. “A small bit of writing, with hopefully a big impact. I can’t wait to see the mission everywhere on campus—on banners, on walls—where prospective students, visitors, alumni, and current students can see it. This is a living, breathing testimonial of who we are and what we are about.”

—Claire C. Fletcher