From the Principal

A Word From Our Principal

The Village

It Still Takes a Village reminds us that education is a communal effort. In our history, slavery prohibited a formal education to African Americans but because of our ancestors' determination and fortitude, they found a way to learn. The community or village of people took on the responsibility of teaching and sharing their knowledge with others. This village concept still rings true today as we believe the success of our students and community is still rooted in the active participation of the village.

The St. Philip’s School and Community Center Village is driven by our Core Values, embracing all members of the village and showing the love of God to ALL people. The Village at St. Philip’s is inspired by 1 John 3:18, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” In other words, our actions must align with our words. It’s

not uncommon to see us share the love of God through our daily chapel, through a benevolent hug from a teacher to a student, through our students serving in the food pantry, or through our Moms in Prayer group that meets weekly to pray for our faculty, students, parents, and community.

This year, the Village has been instrumental in nurturing self-confidence in our students through our Fine Arts Department. Students are lovingly supported in embracing their talents through the arts. Our focus on fine arts

This village concept still rings true today as we believe the success of our students and community is still rooted in the active participation of the village.

encourages students to expand their gifts in visual arts, photography, dance, theater, and music. Students have access to great minds and talents in our school and community. The Fine Arts program is preparing students for the future as they focus on creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.

Here at St. Philip’s School and Community Center, It Still Takes a Village is not just our theme for the year, but embodies our approach to impacting students and our community. In case you don’t know, the St. Philip’s Village is still transforming, investing, and impacting the lives of everyone who enters our doors.

Kellee A. Murrell