Episcopal High School of Jacksonville

Infobox HighSchool
name = Episcopal High School of Jacksonville


established = 1966
type = Private
head = Dale D. Regan
city = Jacksonville
state = Florida
country = USA
students = 900
faculty =
campus = Suburban
free_label = Tuition
free = $17,000 (Upper School)$16,250 (Middle School)
mascot = Eagle
colors = Maroon and Gold color box|#990000color box|#FFD700
homepage = http://www.episcopalhigh.org

The Episcopal High School of Jacksonville (or "Episcopal") is a is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school, serving students in sixth grade through twelfth grade located in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It was founded in 1966 by the Episcopal Diocese of Florida and began admitting students "regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background." Episcopal's 86-acre campus is located along the St. Johns River on the southside of town. It serves approximately 900 students.

The Vestry of St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville elects the Board of Trustees. The dean of St. John's Cathedral is vice-chair and the clergy member of the board. [ [http://www.episcopalhigh.org/ehs/about_us.htm Episcopal High School of Jacksonville » About Episcopal ] ]

100% of faculty hold 4-year degrees and 89% hold advanced degrees in their fields. The student to faculty ratio is 10:1; class sizes average 15 students. The School most recently received its accreditation in Spring 2008 from SACS/FCIS, but also is accredited by BREP. Head of School Dale Regan currently serves on the Board for FCIS.

The School is noted for its academic and character-building programs. Fact|date=August 2008 A thriving Community Service Office sends hundreds of students on mission trips, to social service agencies, and many non-profits throughout the Jacksonville area.

Each year, the Admissions Office gives $1.5 million in financial aid to families, which benfits 18% of the student body. Prospective students must show excellent academic records and recommendations from their lower (or "feeder") schools, and take an entrance exam. Reenrollment for 2008-2009 hit 98%. The Admissions Viewbook received an international third-place award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education organization in the Spring of 2008.

The School is also supported by its annual fundraising campaign, the Episcopal Fund, which has a goal of $600,000 in 2008-2009. The goal of $525,000 in 2007-2008 was surpassed (with 99% faculty participation and 100% Board participation in the Fund) and provided campus improvements, technology advancements (including expansion of the wireless network on campus), professional development, financial aid, and other "extras" that help to create an excellent student experience.

In 2002, the School received a $9 million gift from the estate of Jane and Wilson Munnerlyn, the largest endowment in the history of the School. The new Munnerlyn Center for Worship and Fine Arts, completed in 2004, was dedicated to the Munnerlyns. The facility is a centerpiece for the campus, offering classroom, worship and fine arts education space. It holds one of four theatres in Jacksonville with a fly space, and is used for full fine arts performances, lectures, special events and the School's weekly chapel services. The Munnerlyn Center also houses the peaceful and beautiful Mary Lou Davis Chapel, and the expansive entrance doubles as the Berg Gallery that showcases student and faculty artwork, as well as visiting exhibits from professional artists. Alumni work will also be displayed for the first time during Homecoming 2008.

Also opened and dedicated in 2004 is the riverfront Walton Boathouse. The $3.1 million, 16,000 square foot, two-story Boathouse is located on Pottsburg Creek. The facility features expansive shell storage space, a meeting room and lounge, an erg room, on-site gym, locker rooms and full-service elevator for use by the nationally-recognized crew team. "Jacksonville Magazine" named it "Best Boathouse" in August 2008. Fact|date=August 2008

Most recently, during Founders' Day in March 2008, Episcopal dedicated the newest addition to campus: The Barnett Memorial Garden. Provided by the Barnett and Poitevent families, the garden features a quiet area for studying or contemplation that overlooks the Munnerlyn Campus. Landscaping was completed in the Summer of 2008.

Also on Founders' Day 2008, the School announced the establishment of the Leo C. Burgman Chair in English, through gifts made possible by Jim and Mary Winston. The Winston family chose to memorialize Mary's father, who passed away in 1976. The Chair is also a blessing for Episcopal, since it’s the School’s very first endowed chair in any academic subject. William Valentine, an Episcopal faculty member since 1969, will be the first holder of the Chair. Mr. Valentine has taught Russian, Greek, Latin and English during his tenure at Episcopal.

Academics

The School places 100% of its graduating seniors in colleges and universities throughout the nation. The Classes of 2007 and 2008 had more than eight students designated as National Merit Scholars, one National Achievement Scholar, and over 20 Commended Scholars. The Class of 2008 boasted a composite score of 26.6 for the ACT (state composite is 21), and an average of 1240/1600 and 1848/2400 for the SAT (state average is a 1040/1600). In 2007-2008, the pass rate for students on Advanced Placement exams was 82%--93 of those students earned a perfect score. Episcopal visual arts students captured three Juror’s Choice Awards and one Administrator’s Award at the Duval County Senior High Art Exhibit. Last, the Class of 2008 had 28 students commit to continuing athletics at the collegiate level. Fact|date=August 2008

Athletics

The Eagle's sports programs include:Fall Sports: Cheerleading, Cross country, Football, Golf, Swimming, Volleyball;Winter Sports: Basketball, Cheerleading, Soccer, Wrestling, Girls weightlifting;Spring Sports: Baseball, Crew, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis, Track & field, Boys weightlifting

Baseball

2006 - the varsity baseball team won the Florida class 3A state title winning its final thirteen games.

Crew

Each year, the team travels to the Scholastic National Regatta held in various locations through out the East coast. Episcopal has a new multi-million dollar boathouse with its own weight rooms and other facilities.

Cross Country (boys)

2005 - the boys 4x800m relay team captured the state title

2003 - the boys cross-country team won the Class A state championship

1987 - the boys cross-country team won the Class 2A state championships

Cross Country (girls)

2007 - Four distance runners and one pole vaulter combined to win the 2A state track championship

2006 - the girls cross-country team won the Class 2A state championships

2006 - Episcopal had seven of the top ten girls' runners at a cross country meet at Florida State University in Tallahassee

2005 - the girls cross-country team placed 14th at Nike Team Nationals

2000/2001 - Kara Scanlin was a Footlocker National Finalist.

1987 - the girls cross-country team won the Class 2A state championships

Football

2004 - Running back Jerry (J.T.) Townsend, Jr. suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a football game, paralyzing him from the neck down. Professional golfer Fred Funk pledged 10% of all his winnings to the family and the school rallied together through many fundraisers to assist the family.

wimming (boys)

1977 - the men's swim team won the National Championship.

Notable Alumni

*David Duval (b. 1971), golfer
*Connie Fletcher, actress on "All My Children"
*Nancy Hogshead, gold medalist (swimming), 1984 Olympics
*Jorge Oliver, swimmer for Puerto Rico at the 2004 Summer Olympics
*Thomas Pauly, pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds farm system
*Billy Forrester, bronze medalist (swimming), 1976 Olympics
*Ryan Key, singer of the band Yellowcard

External links

* [http://www.episcopalhigh.org/ Episcopal High School of Jacksonville]
* [http://www.episcopalhigh.org/athletics/ Eagle Sports] EHS athletics homepage
* [http://www.episcopalhigh.org/ehs/academics_eBoards.htm eBoards] EHS Electronic Bulletin Board

References