Mission and Manifesto

Our Mission Statement

Igniting a life of purpose through the development of an educated conscience.

ESD MISSION

On the first day of school in 1974, The Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann and his faculty of two gathered their eleven students around a campfire, and they together established the principles that would become the foundation of The Episcopal School of Dallas. Our Founding Tenets of religio, daily worship; eruditio, scholarship; and disciplina, training within a community of learners, have continued to direct our mission to ignite a life of purpose in each student through the development of an educated conscience. In combination with outdoor education and service learning, these elements are essential to the ESD experience, allowing teachers to shepherd children through lessons that enable them to overcome trepidation, develop resilience, and embrace stillness.  

Though we have grown to serve more than 1,100 students, age 3 to 12th grade, we continue to know and love each child.  We optimally challenge all students, capitalizing on their passions or interests, making our most advanced curriculum accessible to all. We shape our curriculum using the Hallmarks of an ESD Education: academic excellence and rigor, a strong sense of community, understanding of self, and a faith-informed foundation of values. Our community members  live with honor, integrity, and respect for all as expressed in our Code of Conduct. 

ESD’s faculty and staff are the backbone of our institution and are paramount to the school’s success. They are committed to inspiring, developing, and sustaining excellence and strive to balance the rigors of a college-preparatory environment with nurture and compassion. Guided by the belief that we make our collective work better through the sharing of our practice with one another, our educators are committed to reflection, growth, and collaboration.  Our faculty of lifelong learners models intellectual discovery, risk-taking, and continuous improvement. 

Central to the school’s teaching culture is its Episcopal identity. We value the dignity of every human being, as we believe that each child is a unique individual, created in and reflecting the image of a loving God. We are committed to establishing, maintaining, and nurturing a diverse, safe, and inclusive environment where people of all faith traditions are welcomed, valued, and heard. Essential to our Episcopal Identity is the conviction that diversity enhances the quality of an ESD education and is essential to the development of a well-rounded person. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to socioeconomic background, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.

Our Manifesto