A School Living its Mission

Mission
The Canterbury Episcopal School inspires in each student a love of learning in preparation for college with an emphasis on academic excellence, spiritual development, appreciation of diversity and social responsibility.

The Canterbury Advantage

Founded 1992: 12 Students began in a church basement! Today, after a planned yearly grade level growth, 291 students are enrolled in K-12 on a lovely, well-equipped, 37-acre campus with three recently constructed facilities.

Founders Motivation: The school was founded by concerned individuals of Southwest Dallas and Ellis Counties who believed passionately that the area needed, and deserved, a K-12, private/independent school of the highest quality.

Governance: Canterbury is a private/independent school affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and is governed by a sixteen-member board of trustees. The bylaws require that a majority of trustees must be active communicants of the Episcopal Church, as must be the Head of School and Chaplain.

Characteristics of Episcopal Schools

• Quality Education Program
• Inclusive – social, religious, ethnic, and economic diversity are valued.
• Community Life – strongly affirmed; service within and outside school promoted.
• Worship – offers framework to explore ethics and faith.
• Episcopal schools welcome all faiths and traditions and those with none.
  

Accreditation: The Canterbury Episcopal School is accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools. (A Texas Education Agency approved organization)

Meat on the “Mission Statement” Bones!

Academic Excellence:

• 100% of graduates enter competitive colleges - such as Columbia , Duke, Emory, Northwestern, Pomona, Princeton , SMU, Tufts, University of Texas (Austin Plan II), Washington U (St. Louis)
• Eight AP (Advanced Placement Courses) offered – American History, Art History, Calculus, English Composition, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, and Spanish Language. AP courses are college level and college credit (if passed
• Spanish taught Kindergarten – Grade 12
• Honor Code

Spiritual Development:

• Chapel
• Ethical issues discussed

Appreciation of Diversity:

• Ethnicity – Caucasian 58.4% (170); African-American 24.1% (68); Asian-American 3.8% (11); Hispanic/Latino 8.6% (25), International 0.3% (1); Middle Eastern 2.1% (6); Multi-Racial 2.7% (8)
• Religion – Baptist 17.5% (51); Roman Catholic 15.8% (46); Non-denominational Christian 15.1% (44); Methodist 14.4% (42); Episcopalian 12.4% (36); Lutheran 3.1% (9); 2% or less Presbyterian (6); Jewish (5); Church of Christ (5), Hindu (5), Muslim (3); Nazarene (3), Seven-Day Adventist (2); Syrian Orthodox (1); Unitarian (1) and No Affiliation 10.9% (32)
• Economic – Tuition Assistance 29% (84 Students)
• Geographic (thirteen communities) – DeSoto 27.5% (80); Cedar Hill 24.1% (70); Dallas (Oak Cliff) 16.5% (48); Duncanville 13.1% (38); Ovilla 4.5% (13); Waxahachie 4.1% (12); Red Oak 3.1% (9); Lancaster 3.1% (9); Midlothian 1.4% (4); Grand Prairie 1.4% (4); Mesquite 0.7% (2); Ennis 0.3% (1); Flower Mound 0.3 (1)

Social Responsibility:

• Student service projects to Greater Dallas community include:
  Food Drives (K-5); Food Bank (6-8); Dallas SPCA (K-12);
  Bryan’s House Aids patients (9-12); Austin Street Shelter – Dallas homeless (9-12);
  New Beginnings – Women’s Shelter (9-12)
• Student Responsibility on Campus Recycle (K-12), campus environmental clean-up (K 12)

Benefits of Smallness:

• Studies indicate increased academic achievement
• Greater sense of community
• Personal attention

The Canterbury Episcopal School welcomes visitors and tours to more fully learn about our mission and programs. Thank you for the opportunity to share our life with you!

Head of School, The Rev'd C. Richard (Dick) Cadigan,
B.A. Wesleyan University (CT); M. Div., Episcopal Divinity School (MA)