Community

At Christ Episcopal School, we are all proud of the manner of conduct the students practice. Each teacher, parent, and student is committed to uphold this high level of behavior by respecting the feelings, rights, and property of others. At all times, we expect our students to be courteous, kind, honest, and respectful when dealing with teachers, the staff, the clergy, parents, visitors, and schoolmates. We expect compassion to be shown towards all at Christ Episcopal School.

The Cardinal Character program has been designed to help our students develop and model these core values. Character traits are highlighted monthly and intentionally taught throughout the school from preschool through eighth grade. With all the influences of modern life, we strive to show our students how to maintain their integrity and kindness throughout their lives.

One special program at Christ Episcopal school that helps build that community is our Chapel Partner program. Because we are a preschool - 8th grade school, we give our students increasing responsibility as they enter higher grades. Our middle schoolers are role models to the younger students, and one way we develop these skills through the Chapel Partner Program.

Each lower school student is paired with a middle school student for the year. They become chapel partners and sit together for each chapel service during the week. The middle schooler helps to guide the younger student during the service, helping to clarify instructions, modeling behavior, and generally being a responsible friend to their chapel partner.

In addition to attending chapel together, chapel partners also meet socially throughout the year for holiday celebrations in school and ice cream outing mini-field trips. Many strong friendships are formed that last throughout their CES experience. Our graduates always comment fondly on their chapel partners throughout the years.

When new families are considering joining Christ Episcopal School, they are greeted by some of our student ambassadors. These students are articulate and enthusiastic, and exemplify what it means to be a CES student. We ask our student ambassadors to conduct tours, speak about their experiences, and connect with prospective students. We offer students in grades 3 - 8 the opportunity to apply to be student ambassadors, allowing them to develop more leadership skills in a supportive setting. Contact us for more information.

An important part of our whole child curriculum is the many field trips we take. Students can learn important concepts in the classroom, but it is the real-life experience that helps cement the lessons and stretch their thinking.  Some of our past field trips have included:

• Seneca SchoolHouse - 19th century one-room schoolhouse experience (4th grade)
• Lady Maryland schooner excursion - a day in the Chesapeake Bay (5th grade)
• Echo Hill Outdoor Education - three day adventure (7th and 8th grades)
• Green Meadows petting farm - learning about animals (2nd grade)
• American Shakespeare Center, Staunton, VA - overnight to attend live performance (8th grade)
• Mount Vernon - learning about George Washington and slavery (6th grade)

A vital part of our community, the Christ Episcopal School Parents’ Association (PA) is very active throughout the year. The PA brings our community together through social events and supports our students and staff by providing necessities, activities, and treats throughout the year.

The PA welcomes any parent that would like to volunteer their time and effort towards building those essential relationships among families, staff, and students.  Some of the events and activities that the PA organizes or participates in includes:

• Fall Festival Homecoming
• Family Fun Night
• Middle School Dance
• School Spirit Week
• Scholastic Book Fair
• Bird’s Nest Store
• Used Uniform Sales

The PA's mission also includes finding creative ways to show our support and appreciation for our exceptional team of faculty and staff. The PA organizes monthly teacher treat days like luncheons and snacks during faculty meetings, provides coffee and tea to staff throughout the year, and plans an annual Teacher Appreciation Week.

The PA meets monthly and each class is represented by their PA Rep (however, all are welcome to attend). Contact us for more information.