Elevating Excellence A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AND A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
Dear Members of the EA Community, Striving for excellence is a hallmark of The Episcopal Academy and was a touchstone in the development of our new Strategic Plan, “Elevating Excellence.” We were very fortunate to embark on this planning process from a position of strength. Thanks to the dedication of our exceptional faculty and staff, we have a thriving community where students are flourishing academically, athletically, and personally. We embrace the challenge of elevating EA to an even higher level. This plan builds on our historical strengths and honors our mission to challenge and nurture every student to live a life of purpose, faith, and integrity. It is organized around the three pillars that have always guided an Episcopal Academy education: Mind, Body, and Spirit. The plan maintains our focus on rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and character education through our Chapel and Stripes programs. It also looks to the future and challenges us to adapt to a rapidly changing world. As the landscape evolves, we are committed to preparing our students with the academic skills and strength of character to be successful in college and life.
One fact became abundantly clear in our planning process: Community is the heart of The Episcopal Academy. The voices of our community shaped this plan. Through surveys and conversations, students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni shared what they value most and their hopes for EA’s future. We are deeply grateful for this thoughtful input, which has guided our priorities and affirmed the traditions and relationships that make EA exceptional. We are currently in an era marked by constant connectivity yet decreasing human connection, where algorithmic thinking often replaces deep learning, and screen time crowds out face-to-face relationships. The value of what we offer — a holistic education that challenges and nurtures Mind, Body, and Spirit within a joyous, inspiring, and supportive community — has never been more important or more relevant. The coming years will be a period of intentional elevation. We will challenge ourselves not just to maintain excellence, but to deepen and extend it in service of our students. Thank you for your partnership in this important work.
Sincerely,
Ann Semmer P ’21 Chair, Board of Trustees
Dr. T.J. Locke, Hon., P ’22 ’29 Greville Haslam Head of School
“The education at EA is what every student deserves to have: teachers that care deeply about their subject and their students, countless opportunities to discover your passions, and a place that celebrates faults as a means of self-improvement.” -— EASTUDENT STUDENT
MISSION AND VALUES
Challenging and nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit, we inspire boys and girls to lead lives of purpose, faith, and integrity. While each new generation of students brings fresh perspectives and
experiences, the values we teach will remain the same. Our Stripes are the embodiment of the qualities that an Episcopal Academy student aspires to live by both inside and outside the school community. As
we work to fulfill the commitments in this Strategic Plan, our school’s mission and The Stripes will be prioritized in all we do.
SPORTSMANSHIP
SELF CONTROL
RESPECT
KINDNESS
HONESTY
GRATITUDE
GENEROSITY
FAITH
COURTESY
COURAGE
Our Strategic Pillars Rooted in our mission, this strategic plan is organized around three central pillars: Mind, Body, and Spirit. Each pillar reflects a core commitment to the growth and flourishing of every student — and to the strength of the community that supports them.
These pillars are supported by a fourth, foundational commitment: Accelerating Our Impact. This base represents the people, resources, and infrastructure that power our mission and ensure EA is equipped to deliver with excellence, now and into the future.
At its core, this plan will drive transformational student experiences by embracing and building upon what makes EA distinctive.
Mind
We will ensure that every student leaves prepared not just for college, but for life — with a spirit of curiosity, love of learning, and the skills to thrive and contribute meaningfully in a complex, changing world.
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Establish a shared vision of the skills, traits, and habits that should define an EA graduate, using this framework to guide academic and experiential learning design. Foster a culture that promotes lifelong curiosity, deep thinking, and understanding, where students are inspired to grow their inquiry, critical thinking, and perspective taking skills. Empower every student to reach their fullest potential by knowing them well and guiding them through the experiences that will challenge and nurture their growth.
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Engage all students in meaningful innovation that builds the critical skills of creativity, problem solving, and design thinking needed to tackle complex, real-world problems. Equip students with the fluency and ethical discernment to leverage emerging technologies in an evolving, technology-enabled future. Ensure all students are exceptionally well-prepared for college and equipped to confidently articulate their story — who they are, how they have grown, and what they seek to contribute to the world — as a foundation for success in college and beyond.
Body
We will champion holistic wellbeing as a core tenet of an EA education and ensure every student can participate, develop, and build lifelong habits that support a healthy, balanced lifestyle. WE WILL: A
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Enhance every student’s physical, emotional, mental, and social wellbeing through strategic and integrated education and support. Define and deliver a vision of athletic excellence that drives winning performance and fosters student development — anchored in teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. Develop well-rounded students by initiating and supporting a wide range of co-curricular activities, including academic enrichment, clubs, arts, fitness, and athletics, that keep students active and engaged beyond the academic day.
Spirit
Rooted in the values of our Chapel and Stripes programs, we will carry forward the spirit of EA within a community where every student feels known and connected to a greater purpose. WE WILL: A
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Uphold Chapel as the enduring cornerstone of our faith-based institution, ensuring it remains integral to communal life and offers a reflective space that deepens students’ sense of purpose and connects them to something greater than themselves. Anchor The Stripes as a living expression of our shared values, ensuring they remain meaningful at every stage of a student’s journey at EA. Foster transformative relationships among teachers, coaches, advisors, and students, ensuring that care and connection remain at the heart of learning and prove foundational for inspiration and growth.
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Deepen joy and connection across campus through community-building experiences that amplify school spirit and lifelong friendships. Strengthen our collaborative and trusting partnership with parents, uniting them with our school in a shared commitment to student success. Celebrate our alumni as lifelong members of the EA community, nurturing meaningful connections across generations, honoring their achievements, and creating opportunities for them to contribute to and share in the life of the school.
Accelerating our Impact
We will invest in what matters most — attracting and developing exceptional people and building a culture where talent, leadership, and purpose thrive. Through strategic resource stewardship and thoughtful campus evolution, we will ensure EA is equipped to deliver with excellence, now and into the future. WE WILL: A
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Attract and retain top-tier talent in all areas — faculty, staff, administrators, and coaches — through strategic recruitment, thoughtful recognition, leadership development, and a culture that elevates the experiences of our people. Provide robust professional development for our faculty and staff, delivering the resources and support they need to further elevate teaching and learning at EA. Invest in world-class facilities, evolving the campus in ways that support our mission, enhance the student experience, and deepen community engagement. Steward EA’s resources with discipline and foresight, continually growing philanthropic support and ensuring every investment advances our mission and strengthens long-term financial sustainability. Strive to become a national model for operational discipline and educational ambition, where strategy, efficiency, and mission align seamlessly.
“What inspires me most about Episcopal is the community. Knowing people believed in me and wanted me to succeed pushed me to become my very best.” - EA ALUMNUS
The Episcopal Academy Independent | PK - 12 | Co-ed | Newtown Square, PA | episcopalacademy.org