St. Andrew's Episcopal School Viewbook

FOUNDED IN 1947, ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL IS AN INDEPENDENT, COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-K3 THROUGH THE TWELFTH GRADE. THE SCHOOL HAS EARNED A NATIONAL REPUTATION FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, BUT ST. ANDREW’S UNDERSTANDS THAT AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE ISN’T LIMITED TO ACADEMICS. WHILE SOME St. Andrew’s students are math whizzes or gifted writers, others were born to paint a portrait or perform a song. Some students excel on the field or the court, while others are more at home conducting experiments in a physics or robotics lab. Some are natural leaders, while others are the glue that binds a team together. Some students long to see the world, while others want to serve in their own communities.

That’s why St. Andrew’s doesn’t stop with challenging students in the classroom. Instead, St. Andrew’s helps each student explore his or her individual interests and strengths, and then teaches students how to build on those unique gifts for success not only at St. Andrew’s, but also in college, in a career, and in life.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is the place to find your inner genius, your hidden talent, or your championship season.

It’s the place to find your strength, your passion, and your own path to future success.

Join us, and find your St. Andrew’s.

FIND YOUR INNER GENIUS FIND YOUR COMMUNITY FIND YOUR MENTORS FIND YOUR GAME FIND YOUR INNER ARTIST FIND YOUR PLACE IN THE WORLD FIND YOUR PURPOSE FIND YOUR LEARNING STYLE EARLY CHILDHOOD LOWER SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL FIND YOUR CAMPUS FIND YOUR PASSION FIND GENEROUS SUPPORT FIND YOURSELF AT ST. ANDREW’S

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ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL IS RECOGNIZED NATIONWIDE AS AN ACADEMIC LEADER. THE NATIONAL MERIT Scholarship Corporation typically recognizes 15 to 20 percent of St. Andrew’s seniors as National Merit Semifinalists or National Achievement Semifinalists. Students’ average ACT and SAT scores are consistently among the top 10 percent in the nation. St. Andrew’s was the first school in Mississippi to offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes and today offers 18, the greatest number of AP course offerings in the state.

Mississippi’s top AP State Scholars consistently come from St. Andrew’s. The school was also the first in Mississippi to establish a Cum Laude chapter, the secondary-school equivalent of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

But students don’t have to fit the stereotypical role of “genius” to succeed at St. Andrew’s. Instead, the school understands that different students have different definitions of academic success. For some, success might mean a perfect score on the ACT and a National Merit Scholarship.

For others, success might mean making the extra effort to do well in a class that seems particularly challenging.

St. Andrew’s helps every student reach his or her personal academic best. While all students are expected to work hard, St. Andrew’s offers the tools and support that allow each student to reach his or her full potential, with many students far exceeding even their own expectations.

St. Andrew’s students are proud of their academic accomplishments and encourage one another to do well in the classroom. Surrounded by peers who respect academic achievement, students across the board tend to perform at a higher level.

The result is success for students who are academic superstars and for students who aren’t at the top of the class. Typically, 100 percent of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School graduates attend four-year colleges. Whether students choose a respected state university, a prestigious private college, or a school in the Ivy League, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School provides the academic preparation and cultivates the critical thinking skills they need to succeed.

It’s this focus on helping each student achieve his or her personal best that makes St. Andrew’s the ideal place to discover your own inner genius.

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT St. Andrew’s Episcopal School doesn’t focus on teaching what to think, but on how to think. From pre-K3 through their senior year, students are exposed to a challenging academic program, as well as to learning strategies that foster the development of critical thinking skills.

Students learn to work independently and to take pride in and responsibility for their own educations. * St. Andrew’s students are free to question, to voice diverse opinions, to search for possibilities and answers beyond conventional wisdom. The result is students who are inquisitive, motivated, independent thinkers both inside and outside the classroom. * St. Andrew’s students put the power of that critical thinking to work in everything they pursue, from academics to athletics, from scholastic knowledge to spiritual truths, from friendships at school to service projects worldwide.

“FOR ME, ‘EXCELLENCE’ IMPLIES A CERTAIN COMBINATION OF talent, passion, ambition, and hard work. I think these factors can produce exceptional brilliance in a variety of areas, including medicine, academic research, sports, business, and more.

St. Andrew’s has helped cultivate those qualities within me.” — Mehak Khan, Class of 2013 S T. A N D R E W ’ S

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THE ST. ANDREW’S HONOR CODE

“On my honor as a St. Andrew’s student, I pledge that I will neither lie, nor cheat, nor steal.”

Principles of honor and integrity are ingrained in the St. Andrew’s Episcopal School experience from pre-K3 through graduation. The St. Andrew’s Honor Code helps students at every grade level accept responsibility for their conduct and actions. The Honor Council, a group of Upper School students elected by their peers and guided by a faculty advisor, enforces the Code.

* St. Andrew’s students expect their peers to act morally,

responsibly, and honorably. When “peer pressure” means being encouraged to do the right thing, the result is greater trust and greater freedom.

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ST. ANDREW’S IS A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES OF MANY FAITHS, CULTURES, RACES, ETHNICITIES, AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. ONE OF ST. ANDREW’S GREATEST STRENGTHS IS A COMMUNITY IN WHICH MEMBERS CELEBRATE THEIR DIFFERENCES WHILE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGING THE VALUES AND COMMON PURPOSE THEY SHARE. ST. ANDREW’S COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ENRICHES THE EXPERIENCE OF EVERY STUDENT, TEACHER, AND FAMILY THAT CHOOSES TO CALL ST. ANDREW’S THEIR OWN. AS AN EMBODIMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, St. Andrew’s honors, celebrates, and worships God as the center of life and strives to be a model of God’s love and grace. The Episcopal tradition is part of the ongoing experience at St. Andrew’s. Students worship together once a week, religion classes are a part of the academic curriculum, and the school’s service learning program ensures that caring for others is a part of its students’ worldviews.

The Episcopal tradition also emphasizes the use of reason and encourages questioning, a philosophy reflected in the school’s approach to educating its students.

Founded in the Episcopal tradition, St. Andrew’s is inclusive and supportive of the beliefs of others, and shares the Episcopal Church’s commitment to respecting the dignity of all people. That commitment is reflected in a school environment that is accepting and open to families of all faiths and traditions. While approximately 25 percent of the St. Andrew’s student body is Episcopalian, St. Andrew’s was not founded to serve only Christians or to convert students to the Episcopal faith. Instead, St. Andrew’s role is to support the faith journey of every member of the school community.

At St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, families discover an environment in which students are open to befriending people of many backgrounds and it’s easy for every child to make friends. While our students and families come from every walk of life, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is a place where they all feel welcome.

“THE EPISCOPAL APPROACH IS NOT ‘PUSHY’ OR COERCIVE. Yes, we have a school built on Christian values, but no matter what a student’s faith, St. Andrew’s is a community in which he or she will be supported and can grow.”

The Reverend Kirk LaFon, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Chaplain

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ST. ANDREW’S TEACHERS ENGAGE STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON PLAY, CREATIVE PROJECTS, AND LIVELY, OPEN-ENDED DISCUSSIONS THAT MAKE LEARNING AN ENERGETIC, STIMULATING PROCESS. TEACHERS ARE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE OF CLASS TO HELP STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INDEPENDENT LEARNING OR IN-DEPTH RESEARCH PROJECTS, OR TO PROVIDE A LITTLE EXTRA HELP WITH CHALLENGING SUBJECTS. ST. ANDREW’S RECRUITS TOP instructors in every At St. Andrew’s, students find more than just experts area of study. Students at every grade level benefit from in math or English or art. They find mentors who help learning under gifted, dedicated professionals who have them reach their personal best, not only at St. Andrew’s, been called to teach. Lower School teachers are experts in but also in the years to come. early childhood development. Many St. Andrew’s instructors hold master’s degrees, and several have earned doctoral degrees. Beginning in fourth grade, teachers are dedicated to a particular subject, allowing students to benefit not only from in-depth expertise and knowledge, but also from the teacher’s personal enthusiasm for the subject.

A strong professional development program ensures that teachers and staff members remain abreast of the latest advancements and the most effective methods of teaching in their fields. Each year, approximately half of the faculty and staff participate in hands-on professional development programs held throughout the United States and internationally.

At St. Andrew’s, teachers are not limited to merely passing on information. Instead, they have the unique opportunity to craft the learning experience to the individual student. Open communication between teachers and parents allows teachers to serve as extensions of the family, trusted adults available to offer advice to students and their parents.

These outstanding instructors find the St. Andrew’s environment an ideal match for their professional expertise. Teachers’ commitment to St. Andrew’s is reflected in their average tenure of 10 years.

“ST. ANDREW’S TEACHERS ARE AVAILABLE IF A STUDENT NEEDS help understanding classroom material, or needs a supportive listener to help sort out some of the difficult tasks that come with growing up spiritually and emotionally. They carry themselves with the knowledge that they aren’t just our teachers, but are also our role models and mentors.

St. Andrew’s teachers are like parents away from home.” — Audrey Bateman, Class of 2015 S T. A N D R E W ’ S

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ST. ANDREW’S FIELDS TEAMS IN: Archery • Baseball • Basketball • Bowling Cheerleading • Cross-country • Dance Fast-pitch Softball • Football • Golf • Lacrosse Powerlifting • Soccer • Swimming Tennis • Track and Field • Volleyball St. Andrew’s also offers intramural basketball for Lower School students and football for fourth-grade boys.

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ST. ANDREW’S OFFERS THE THRILL OF COMPETITION AND THE SPIRIT OF CAMARADERIE TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO PLAY, NOT JUST TO THE FIRST-STRING SUPERSTARS. ON AVERAGE, 78 percent of St. Andrew’s students in grades seven through twelve participate in at least one of the school’s 25 interscholastic sports programs.

St. Andrew’s consistently fields state championship teams in multiple sports, and has been named Mississippi’s Best All-Around Sports Program in its class almost every year for the past quarter century.

St. Andrew’s outstanding athletic facilities include lighted football and baseball fields, a softball field, a lighted eight-lane track, five tennis courts, and a well-equipped gymnasium and fitness center. Game days find the stands packed with enthusiastic spectators as family, friends, and alumni gather to cheer on their Saints.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School stands apart from most area private and independent schools by competing in Class 3A of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA), an organization comprised primarily of public schools. Membership in MHSAA ensures that St. Andrew’s athletes compete at the highest levels of Mississippi high school sports and makes the school’s numerous championships even more impressive.

While St. Andrew’s athletes are encouraged to be competitive and fight for the victory, the school’s sports programs emphasize self-confidence, good sportsmanship, and development of the ability to make good decisions.

Coaches don’t just call plays, but help student athletes develop the work ethic and leadership skills that will benefit them long after the final whistle blows.

It’s this goal of training student athletes to become champions on and off the field that makes St. Andrew’s the ideal place to find your game.

A HEALTHY STUDENT BODY St. Andrew’s schoolwide Healthy Saints and Healthy Saints in Motion programs include classroom instruction and discussion on health and wellness-related topics, as well as active classes that get students moving and encourage lifelong physical fitness. The Healthy Saints programs are proof of St. Andrew’s commitment to training the mind, body, and spirit.

“ST. ANDREW’S HAS GIVEN ME A DIVERSE EDUCATION THAT’S not only mental, but also physical. St. Andrew’s sports program has allowed me to compete against friends and rivals while proudly representing a great school. I think competing at such a high level and having caring coaches who pushed and encouraged me have made me more confident at what I do, and have helped me become a better leader in the process.” — Jack Daly, Class of 2014 S T. A N D R E W ’ S

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A WELL-ROUNDED ACADEMIC PROGRAM EMPHASIZES NOT ONLY INTELLECT, BUT ALSO CREATIVITY. ST. ANDREW’S FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DIRECTION FOR ARTISTICALLY GIFTED STUDENTS AND ENHANCE EVERY STUDENT’S APPRECIATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE ARTS. ART AND MUSIC CLASSES BEGIN IN PRE-K, where St. Andrew’s youngest students are introduced to a world of colors, textures, and sounds. Expressing themselves through a watercolor painting or a song becomes a favorite part of the learning experience.

Lower School fine arts classes encourage not only creative expression, but also critical thinking skills, and teach students there is often more than one solution to a problem. Art classes are integrated with the academic curriculum, with students creating works inspired by periods in history or mathematical or scientific concepts. Middle and Upper School students choose from a variety of fine arts classes based on their individual talents and interests. In addition to classes in traditional painting, drawing, sculpture, and ceramics, the visual arts department offers courses in photography, digital media, and graphic design.

From pre-K through the Upper School, St. Andrew’s students have opportunities to participate in the performing arts. Students don’t just listen to music or watch performances. Instead, they become active musicians, vocalists, and thespians. St. Andrew’s offers a variety of courses in music and theater, as well as opportunities for students to play in the band or perform in a number of school plays and musicals featuring budding stars at every grade level.

St. Andrew’s visual and performing arts facilities demonstrate the school’s commitment to the arts. The North Campus’s Faulkner Studios for Art and Music offer Middle and Upper School students airy, well-equipped spaces flooded with natural light for painting, drawing, sculpting, and ceramics. Open studio space allows serious art students and faculty members to work on long-term projects in various media. Exhibition areas showcase completed work, while large windows allow other students and visitors on campus to watch as new art is created. The Faulkner studios also include space dedicated to and specifically equipped for instrumental and vocal music classes.

The Center for Performing Arts (CPA) on the North Campus is an outstanding facility for musicals, plays, concerts, and assemblies. Both the Faulkner Studios for Art and Music and the CPA were established through private donations from a school community dedicated to supporting the arts.

At St. Andrew’s, each student has the opportunity to explore his or her unique artistic abilities, and all members of the school community benefit from vibrant art and music programs. St. Andrew’s is the place to find your inner Monet or Mozart, Broadway star or informed art critic, the place to develop your own creative genius.

“ST. ANDREW’S HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST ENCOURAGEMENTS to my artistic expression. The school cultivates an independent mind, and artistic creation cannot come from any other mental state. Art has become such an integral part of my life and selfexpression that it hurts to imagine how bland I would be without it.” — Jessica Garner, Class of 2015 S T. A N D R E W ’ S

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“EXCELLENCE TO ME is being well rounded and being able to use my diversity of experiences to help achieve goals.

Personally, I don’t view myself as extremely good at any one thing, like sports or academics.

St. Andrew’s gift to me has been opportunities. St. Andrew’s sees the importance of allowing children and young adults the chance to explore all the options so they can find and excel in the areas that most interest them.”

Alex Weisser, Class of 2014

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ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OFFERS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL STUDIES PROGRAM IN MISSISSIPPI. THE GLOBAL STUDIES PROGRAM INCLUDES the study of world languages and cultures, history and geography, the arts and humanities, and science and math, all from a global perspective. This groundbreaking program touches every grade level and every subject studied, preparing students to become productive citizens of their communities, state, country, and the world.

Students from pre-K through Upper School have opportunities to participate in interactive programs with peers across the country and around the world. St. Andrew’s welcomes visiting musicians, artists, authors, and scientists from around the globe, and hosts an international lecture series open to students, faculty, alumni, parents, and visitors from outside the school community.

The St. Andrew’s world languages program begins with the study of Mandarin and Spanish in pre-K, and continues into the Upper School, where students have opportunities to study French, German, Italian, Latin, Mandarin, or Spanish. After-school enrichment programs offer additional training in French, Mandarin, and Spanish, as well as Arabic.

Middle School students have opportunities to participate in supervised trips nationally and abroad, while Upper School students have multiple opportunities to live and study in other countries. St. Andrew’s typically offers a dozen international travel options each year, most involving home stays, applied language learning, and service projects. International exchange programs with partner schools in China, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Peru, Scotland, and Spain allow St. Andrew’s students to spend extended time studying and living overseas, and bring students from those countries to St. Andrew’s to share their experiences, knowledge, and worldviews.

Through the Guillot Global Fellows travel grant program, students can design and carry out their own international service and educational projects in destinations worldwide.

The global studies program draws on the experiences and expertise of the members of the St. Andrew’s Global Studies Advisory Panel, which includes governmental, military, business, and university leaders who have joined forces to offer St. Andrew’s students a global perspective and awareness unmatched by that of any other school in Mississippi.

The only program of its kind in the state, the global studies program brings the world to St. Andrew’s, and offers St. Andrew’s students the world.

THE GUILLOT GLOBAL FELLOWS TRAVEL GRANT PROGRAM St. Andrew’s believes that every student should have the opportunity to explore the world, not just those whose families have the means to fund the trip. * The school’s Guillot Global Fellows grant program provides funds for students who wish to complete educational and service projects overseas. Applicants design their own international projects, then submit applications outlining where they wish to travel and what they plan to study or accomplish while there. Recipients receive help funding their travel with the stipulation they must share what they learned with the St. Andrew’s community. Guillot Global Fellows grants have enabled students to study panda bears in China, shadow doctors in Peru and India, assist with humanitarian efforts in Rwanda, and participate in other hands-on service and learning projects in countries around the world.

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A SAMPLING OF ORGANIZATIONS SERVED BY ST. ANDREW’S STUDENTS: Animal Rescue Fund of Mississippi (ARF) • Brown Elementary School • The Good Samaritan Center • Jackson Zoo • Mississippi Children’s Museum • Mississippi Food Network • Mustard Seed • National Park Service/Natchez Trace Parkway • Stewpot • Operation Shoestring

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ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL MAKES SERVING OTHERS A PRIORITY BEGINNING IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM AND CONTINUING UNTIL GRADUATION. ST. ANDREW’S WAS THE FIRST school in Mississippi to require service learning as a graduation requirement.

Many students exceed the number of required hours and continue to serve, inspired by the personal fulfillment that comes from helping others.

Partnerships with local non-profit organizations offer Lower School students opportunities to serve within the community, from singing at retirement homes to baking desserts for those in need at Thanksgiving. Twice annually, the entire Middle School student body and faculty leave their classrooms behind to embark on a full day of service at charitable organizations throughout the Jackson metro area. Lower and Middle School students also participate in clothing, toy, and canned food drives and fundraising efforts for local, national, and international charitable organizations.

As they mature, Upper School students assume leadership positions, spearheading projects that benefit causes they personally champion. Projects have ranged from serving as counselors at an equestrian camp for inner city children to helping build a library in Nepal, from constructing houses in Mississippi through Habitat for Humanity to performing humanitarian work in Cuba. The St. Andrew’s global studies program offers students many opportunities to serve in developing countries, while partnerships with local elementary schools allow St. Andrew’s students to teach children in their own community who might otherwise not have the chance to study world languages, complete a hands-on art project, or unlock the mysteries of robotics.

In addition to encouraging its students to volunteer, St. Andrew’s itself serves as a resource to the Jackson metro area community. The school “shares” its guest authors, artists, scientists, and lecturers, allowing students and faculty members from other secondary schools and universities to participate in learning events at St. Andrew’s.

St. Andrew’s also offers its facilities, including the McRae

Science Center, for use in summer camps, lecture series, and other programs benefiting teachers and students from outside the school.

St. Andrew’s emphasizes taking local action to solve global problems. The school’s focus on sustainability is reflected in activities ranging from growing edible plants in the campus greenhouse to an annual fashion show featuring haute couture made entirely from recycled items.

At St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, students lay the foundation for a life filled with genuine meaning and purpose, and realize that one of the best lessons you can learn is that it’s not always all about you.

“IN A WORLD THAT HAS BECOME SO INCREASINGLY

cutthroat and competitive, I think we sometimes lose sight of what it means to be a community.

Service is the most straightforward way of dissolving the tension that arises because of a constant need to get ahead. It teaches us to work with others, and to use the special assets we are given to make others shine brighter and stronger. Service taught me how I could make others better, and because of that, I learned how to better myself.” — Pontus Andersson, Class of 2013 S T. A N D R E W ’ S

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HOW DO YOU LEARN? St. Andrew’s understands that most students learn in many ways, but find that one learning style seems to “click” for them more than others.

* For example, visual learners think in pictures and learn best from visual displays like diagrams, illustrated textbooks, videos,

flipcharts, and handouts. Auditory learners learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through, and listening to what others have to say. Tactile or kinesthetic learners prefer a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them.

* St. Andrew’s takes

pride in helping each student find the way he or she learns best, and training students how to make the most of their individual learning styles.

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ST. ANDREW’S UNDERSTANDS THAT EVEN THE BRIGHTEST STUDENTS MAY NEED A LITTLE EXTRA HELP EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE ST. ANDREW’S LEARNING CENTERS HELP ALL ST. ANDREW’S STUDENTS EXPLORE THEIR INDIVIDUAL LEARNING STYLES, BUILD ON THEIR LEARNING STRENGTHS, AND ADDRESS SPECIFIC COURSES OR AREAS THAT PRESENT CHALLENGES. LEARNING CENTER locations on both St. Andrew’s campuses are staffed with specialized learning facilitators who assess what each student needs and the best way to provide assistance. The Learning Center works with students who need help in specific subjects, students who need general assistance in improving their study or organizational skills, and students working to catch up after extended absences. The Center helps transfer students make a smoother transition to the St. Andrew’s academic program, and helps current St. Andrew’s students make the transition from Lower School to Middle School.

The Center also allows St. Andrew’s to be proactive in helping students. If a student’s classroom performance and test scores indicate a potential weakness in a particular subject, the Learning Center can take steps to help that child improve his or her skills before that weakness becomes a significant issue.

The Learning Center helps all St. Andrew’s students identify their individual learning styles – for example, a child might be a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a tactile learner – and offers advice on how to make the most of that style to enhance academic performance.

The common thread in every service the Learning Center provides is customized, individual attention that helps each student do his or her best.

“WE’RE HERE TO HELP ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ‘LEARN HOW TO LEARN’ given their particular skills, abilities, and learning differences. We assist everyone, from students struggling in particular courses to Honor Roll students who want to improve their overall performance. The Learning Center is another example of St. Andrew’s working to help and empower all of our students.” — Lynda Morse, Middle School Learning Facilitator S T. A N D R E W ’ S

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IN PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN, CHILDREN EXPERIENCE A HANDS-ON, MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH THAT LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING. CARING TEACHERS EXPERIENCED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION NURTURE ST. ANDREW’S YOUNGEST STUDENTS, ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD RECEIVES THE BEST POSSIBLE START TO HIS OR HER SCHOOL YEARS. EACH CLASS HAS A TEACHER AND ASSISTANT, WHO MAKE SURE THAT EACH CHILD IS ENGAGED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. DESIGNED BY EARLY childhood specialists, St. Andrew’s pre-K for three-year-olds offers an exciting curriculum for children just discovering the world beyond their homes. Hands-on activities build early skills in language arts, math, science, world languages, fitness, music, and art. Outdoor play helps develop motor skills, and interaction with their classmates helps little ones grow socially.

Pre-K4 and Kindergarten build on basic skills and prepare children for the excitement of first grade. The academic program includes opportunities for self-directed learning, fostering independence and problem-solving skills. The pre-K4

and Kindergarten curricula include segments in language arts, math, science, art, and music.

A weekly “Little Chapel” class for pre-K and Kindergarteners and “Big Chapel” for pre-K3 through fourth-graders encourage spiritual growth. Exploring themes from the Bible and the liturgy of the Episcopal Church, each child is invited to experience the love of God. Through stories, prayer, and song, St. Andrew’s youngest students gain a sense of joy and peace.

Pre-K and Kindergarten at St. Andrew’s are a time of exploration, discovery, and growth, the first steps toward a lifetime of learning.

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ST. ANDREW’S LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM BUILDS ON SKILLS DEVELOPED IN PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN, USING AN ACTIVE, HANDS-ON APPROACH THAT MAKES LEARNING EXCITING, FUN, AND CONTAGIOUS. THE LANGUAGE ARTS program includes opportunities for pleasure reading and self-expression. Math skills are incorporated into routine parts of the day, and children look forward to performing experiments in the well-equipped science lab. World languages, visual art, music, physical education, and computer skills are taught at every grade level. Fourth-graders attend STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) class, where they work on projects combining all four of these critical disciplines.

Students in pre-K3 through fourth grade gather as a community for a weekly “Big Chapel” service; families are welcome to attend. Students also gather weekly by grade level for intimate “Little

Chapel” classes held in the atrium, prayer garden, or Lower School chapel.

Lower School classes average 15-18 students, ensuring a low student-teacher ratio. A learning facilitator is available in Kindergarten through fourth grade to reinforce and strengthen academic skills.

St. Andrew’s Lower School is marked by teachers dedicated to making learning an adventure, the excitement of discovering new skills every day, and a close-knit group of school friends with whom to share new experiences. It’s little wonder that when Lower School students are asked to describe what they like the very best about their school, the most common response is, “St. Andrew’s is a happy place.”

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ST. ANDREW’S MIDDLE SCHOOL OFFERS A CHALLENGING, INTEGRATED CURRICULUM THAT MEETS THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ADOLESCENTS. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN TO RELATE ABSTRACT CONCEPTS TO PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND TO ASK QUESTIONS RATHER THAN BE SATISFIED WITH THE SIMPLE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW IDEAS. IN ADDITION TO THE academic core builds a close relationship with the student. classes of history, math, English, and science, This teacher serves as the student’s advocate students build new skills in technology, world and mentor, an adult who can help the stulanguages, health and wellness, and the fine dent make good choices throughout his or and performing arts. Middle School students her Middle School career. The advisor also also participate in a weekly chapel service and serves as a trusted point of contact for the in periodic cultural enrichment assemblies student’s parents. featuring a variety of outside speakers.

St. Andrew’s students leave Middle School The Middle School advisory program confident and prepared for the excitement matches each student with a teacher who and challenges of the Upper School.

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ST. ANDREW’S UPPER SCHOOL CHALLENGES AND INSPIRES STUDENTS IN A WAY THAT NOT ONLY PREPARES THEM FOR COLLEGE, BUT ALSO ENCOURAGES THEM TO BECOME LIFELONG LEARNERS, SEEKERS, AND QUESTIONERS. UPPER SCHOOL CLASSES include open-ended discussions between students and their teachers. A classic liberal arts education is balanced with a number of electives, athletic programs, and extracurricular activities; individual talents, opinions, and interests are encouraged. Upper School students participate in a weekly chapel service and in cultural enrichment assemblies, and meet regularly with advisors who provide guidance and support all the way to graduation.

At St. Andrew’s, college prep isn’t limited to a syllabus. College counselors work with Upper School students to help them choose the best college fit, assist with the application process, and coordinate college visits. An annual college fair held on campus allows students to meet representatives from dozens of colleges and universities nationwide.

Upon graduation, students leave St. Andrew’s with a strong sense of self and the desire to continue working toward reaching their full potential.

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ST. ANDREW’S STUDENTS IN PRE-K3 THROUGH FOURTH GRADE MEET AT THE INVITING SOUTH CAMPUS IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. STUDENTS IN FIFTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE ATTEND CLASSES ON THE 74-ACRE NORTH CAMPUS IN RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI. THE SOUTH CAMPUS is cozy and child-friendly, an environment in which children feel safe. The Lower School features fully equipped science and computer labs, as well as a library, gymnasium, and art and music studios.

The St. Andrew’s Kindergarten is housed in its own building; tucked into the woods at the edge of the campus and circled by a picket fence, this building is designed to stimulate children’s imaginations. The Lower School perimeter is completely fenced; all buildings and play areas are secure. There are security cameras and a security guard on the premises.

The expansive North Campus is a stimulating setting where older students enjoy a sense of independence. The open-air campus features green spaces ideal for study breaks or relaxing with friends between classes. Portions of the North Campus are fenced, while other areas are surrounded by a thick barrier of natural trees and vegetation. A security guard is on duty during the school day and at after-school events, and the campus is monitored by a security service at night and on weekends.

Upper School students work on laptops, which place a wealth of information at their fingertips anywhere on campus. Outstanding facilities on the North Campus include the McRae Science Center, a state-of-the-art facility featuring labs for biology, chemistry, physics, and robotics; the Faulkner Studios, spacious studios for music and fine arts classes; the Speer-Lyell Observatory, the first observatory on a high school campus in Mississippi; the Walker Resource Center, a technology center and library; and the Center for Performing Arts, a well-appointed facility for musicals, plays, concerts, weekly chapel services, and other assemblies.

Both the South Campus and North Campus offer students a home away from home, the ideal environment in which to learn.

THE ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL MOTTO In 1979, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School chose as its motto Inveniemus Viam Aut Faciemus. Taken from Hannibal’s admonition to his troops, the motto translates to, “We will find a way, or we will make one.”

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ST. ANDREW’S UNDERSTANDS THAT EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE MEANS MORE THAN JUST ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. THE SCHOOL’S MANY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND AFTER-SCHOOL AUXILIARY PROGRAMS APPEAL TO STUDENTS WITH MANY DIFFERENT TALENTS AND INTERESTS. STUDENTS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO PROPOSE THEIR OWN SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW CLUBS OR ACTIVITIES NOT YET REPRESENTED ON CAMPUS.

A SAMPLING OF LOWER SCHOOL AUXILIARY PROGRAMS Art • Ballet • Basketball • Cheer • Cooking Class Music • Power Strength • Saints Summer Experience Science • Taekwondo • Technology • Tennis • Theatre Tumbling • World Languages • Yoga A SAMPLING OF MIDDLE SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND SPECIAL-INTEREST GROUPS Band • Biking • Challenge 20/20 • Cheerleading Destination Imagination • Duke TIP • Junior Youth Legislature • Math Counts • Middle School Guides Model United Nations • National Junior Forensic League • National Junior Honor Society • Pep Squad Robotics Club • Saints Summer Experience Student Council • Theatre A SAMPLING OF UPPER SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND SPECIAL-INTEREST GROUPS Band • Chess Club • Drama • Environmental Club Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Fishing Club Foreign Language Clubs • Journalism • Mock Trial Model United Nations • National Honor Society Quiz Bowl • Speech and Debate • Student Admission Team • Student Alumni Team • Student Council

THE PEER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM St. Andrew’s was the first school in Mississippi to offer a Peer Leadership mentoring program. Sixteen seniors representing a cross-section of the school community are chosen to serve as mentors, meeting with a group of 10 freshmen once per week. The seniors lead an in-depth discussion addressing the issues freshmen face as they make the transition to Upper School. Topics may be as serious as Honor Code infractions or as light as what to wear to Homecoming. Through the Peer Leadership program, seniors serve as role models and confidants, and freshmen learn that while everyone struggles from time to time, they can count on their peers at St. Andrew’s for support.

“AT MY OLD SCHOOL, I WAS KNOWN AS ONE OF THE ‘smart kids’ and not for much more. At St. Andrew’s, I’m known as a kid who is smart, and who sings, and who plays sports. They don’t see me as just a smart kid.

They see everything I have to offer.” — Spencer Carter, Class of 2017 S T. A N D R E W ’ S

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WHAT IS AN “INDEPENDENT SCHOOL”? Independent schools differ from private or parochial schools in that they are supported by tuition, charitable contributions, and endowment income rather than by tax or church funds. As an independent school, St. Andrew’s is governed by a board of trustees (as opposed to being “owned” and run by the government, a diocese, or a for-profit entity), practices nondiscriminatory policies, is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools, and holds not-for-profit 501(c)(3) status. * Independent schools are free to define their own mission, regulate admission, establish their own credentials requirements for teachers, and teach what the school and teachers deem important rather than being limited to state curricular, textbook, and testing mandates. Independent schools provide a unique atmosphere in which academic achievement is valued and intellectual curiosity is contagious.

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KEY TO ST. ANDREW’S SUCCESS IS THE GENEROSITY OF ITS COMMUNITY. PARENTS, ALUMNI, FACULTY, STAFF, FRIENDS, AND TRUSTEE AND NON-TRUSTEE MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION SUPPORT ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL THROUGH A VARIETY OF GIVING OPPORTUNITIES. ST. ANDREW’S PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION The St. Andrew’s Parents’ Association (SAPA) handles volunteer activities ranging from serving snacks at classroom parties to coordinating major fundraisers. Every St. Andrew’s parent is a member of SAPA. An executive board governs the association, providing leadership for division coordinators, grade coordinators, and room parents, who organize volunteer opportunities. Membership in SAPA does more than help the school. Members’ interactions with other parents help foster a close-knit spirit throughout the entire St. Andrew’s Episcopal School community.

BOOSTER CLUB The St. Andrew’s Booster Club is a voluntary, dues-paying membership organization dedicated to supporting the school’s athletic program. The Booster Club provides additional financial resources for facilities improvements and equipment upgrades, and funds school-spirit nights and activities at sporting events throughout the year.

BAND BOOSTER CLUB The Band Booster Club is a voluntary association of band parents who provide additional funding and support for the concert and jazz bands and coordinate activities surrounding the bands’ performances.

THE ST. ANDREW’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Every St. Andrew’s student is a lifelong member of the St. Andrew’s school community. The Alumni Association strengthens this community bond by helping alumni keep in touch with one another and with the school. In addition to maintaining an online alumni presence, the Alumni Association hosts class reunions, an annual All Alumni Weekend, homecoming festivities, holiday parties, an alumni awards banquet, and out-of-town alumni gatherings, as well as coordinating special events throughout the year.

THE TOUCHSTONE ENDOWMENT The Touchstone Endowment funds scholarships for deserving students, ensures continuing education for our outstanding faculty, and supports a number of programs at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. The endowment funds provide for the ongoing and future needs of the school.

PLANNED GIVING Planned gifts include provisions for St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in wills, life insurance policies, trusts, and other types of gifts. These planned gifts allow parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends to make tangible statements of support that ultimately become a lasting legacy for St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS Capital campaigns are the result of careful strategic planning initiated by the board of trustees and launched as ANNUAL FUND part of a long-range plan for the school. These multi-year Begun in 1987, the Annual Fund pays for enhancements campaigns are undertaken after extensive research into St. not covered by tuition, including professional develop- Andrew’s needs and in-depth discussions with constitument, technology and textbook upgrades, playground ency groups within the school community. Capital camequipment, school vehicles, and security enhancements. paigns fund major renovation and building efforts and All St. Andrew’s families are expected to participate in the support programs that further enrich the St. Andrew’s Annual Fund as they are capable.

Episcopal School experience.

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ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL is the choice for families who seek an excellent education that encourages students to reach their full, individual potential.

We welcome the opportunity to help you find your St. Andrew’s.

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