Episcopal High School

Make sure you go and look at all the schools you are thinking about. While Episcopal has a beautiful campus, it caters to the elite. If your child is not an "A" student with sights set on Ivy League, then run. Students are left unsupervised almost every weekend. They have a strong honor code, but not a strong code on drinking and drugs. Be wary.
—Submitted by a parent

The above posted 5 star reviews are all correct about Episcopal High School, but needless to say there is always another side of the story. It is a rigorous, well appointed school filled with capable and ambitious students. It is also the only boarding school in an urban area and the students are exposed to culture and learn independence in a way not available at any other school. It is also a school that does not have Saturday classes (it does schedule optional weekend activities for sign up and has some athletic events on weekends), but the students are basically without adult management from Friday at 5 until Sunday at 7pm. One on duty dorm parent, faculty at tables across the dining room and brief conversations on campus do NOT qualify, but is a likely carrot to faculty who don't want to work most weekends. Do not send a boy or girl here who needs any form of academic or social support. It is a social hot box in which the highest heels reign. The headmaster is a superb fundraiser, and ever present, but developing a culture of connection is either not a priority or is not being implemented as successfully as many students and parents would expect.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended EHS and it should certainly be ranked as one of the best secondary schools in the country.
—Submitted by a student

Our daughter is now a sophomore at EHS and we could not be more pleased with her experience there. They have created an environment that truly encourages the growth of the whole child--academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The faculty and administration are wise and caring role models who encourage the students to find and express their talents, whatever they may be. The clear rules around alcohol and drugs enable students to avoid those risky behaviors without social pressure or consequences. It's been a wonderful place for her to spend those important high school years.
—Submitted by a parent

2 kids have attended. Awesome academic, athletic, and social experience. Masterful teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My son, in his third year at Episcopal, writes that he is happy, learning lots, able to get to the river to kayak, and to the Arts Center to practice piano. We chose Episcopal because they were caring, supportive, informative, and generous of their time during the application process. My son continues to excel there because the faculty, staff, and students promote an atmosphere where learning about the world and about self is important and fun and respected. The school teaches self-discipline, respect and kindness towards all, and offers rigorous academics and honesty. Students learn to write well and to celebrate their talents. The school keeps me, as the parent, informed about new happenings, grades, and the joys of a residential campus. I look forward to the headmaster's letters and to my son's enthusiastic emails. When we talked last, he was excited about his power point presentation for class.
—Submitted by Suzanne, a parent

EHS has been a very positive experience for my child. Well educated faculty have been the main reason. They present the course work in unique ways and are willing to give students additional help if needed without hesitation. The location of EHS, just outside of DC, gives the students access to many cultural and educational experiences. Although, most seem to stay around campus on weekends. Students are very involved with advisors and coaches, who are much like cheerleaders when the parents are not around. Stricter discipline went into effect this year which has also been good, letting students know that there will be no tolerance for alcohol, drugs, cheating, etc. Sports are big here. They are also a huge committment, with weekend practices and earlier returns from breaks to practice. Dorms have 4 faculty members living on ends of each which is great. Students are well prepared for college.
—Submitted by a parent

Episcopal High School touches the hearts and minds of its students. The school is a thoughtful, caring, and spirited boarding school community that prepares its students for much more than selective college admission. EHS asks its students to consider what is truly important in life. Dedicated teachers, staff, coaches, advisors and the Headmaster help students confront age-old questions and enduring truths daily at EHS what s the right thing to do? and actions have consequences . Success at EHS means character, integrity, competence, kindness, keeping commitments, helping others and giving back to the community. Thanks to EHS, our elder daughter 03 is thriving as a sophomore at Princeton 07 today. Her younger sister is an enthusiastic member of EHS Class of 06.
—Submitted by a parent

Episcopal High School has been a happy home to two of our children, a son currently a junior at EHS and a daughter who graduated with one of EHS's first coed classes. We have only the highest praise and the greatest affection for Episcopal's superb academics and strong sense of community among faculty, students and parents. All students and most faculty families live together on campus, forming close bonds which begin with the strong advisor/advisee group relationship. Kids want to learn and excel at EHS, they look forward to returning to campus each year, and classes are small,challenging and always interesting. A new Arts Center offers all dimensions of fine arts, drama and music--and athletics at EHS are competitive and legendary,involving of all students through an array of options. Then there are the D.C. museums and cultural events, EHS's strong college counseling program...a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son had 4 wonderful years at EHS, a 4-year, all-boarding co-ed school outside DC. He was highly prepared and was accepted early decision to UVA. Being all boarding and with 90% of the faculty living on campus, the school is very family-like.
—Submitted by a parent