Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Four years ago I was looking for something different for one of my children. While he was surviving high school, he was not thriving. He wasn't all that interested and felt that he was being moved along. By happenstance, I stopped at the ESJ admissions office. WOW, that alone was an eye opening and joyful experience. For years we had lived in Jacksonville and even driven past ESJ on a daily basis, yet never entertained the possibilities of attending. Upon enrollment of my Junior and Freshman sons at ESJ there were many differences that I saw immediately in their approach to welcoming them. One very significant difference was in the intentionality that each staff member placed in forming a relationship with my sons. Each teacher, each support staff, even the deans, knew and got to know my sons as living, breathing, humans at a wide open stage in their life and one of the most awkward! They rejoiced, sounds dramatic doesn't it, at their accomplishments and they helped them overcome every obstacle that they faced. They didn't do anything for them, but they led them and facilitated them solving their own problems with support. I remember going to my very first parent conference perhaps 5 weeks into the school year. I was blown away by how well their teachers already knew them; their personality, their strengths, their learning style, the areas they were working with them. I have cried many tears in these 4 years over the goodness of the people we've met. The instruction my boys have received is top notch. It is the primary focus at ESJ that students are well educated, well spoken, and exude a level of integrity in their actions. This comes about both in and out of their classes. The sports program, particularly football, helped my sons form a positive image of themselves as men of the future, men who are true. Winning was fun, but the brotherhood taught them a lot about relationships and friendships and they witnessed and felt true love from their coaches who enjoyed each other's company. I never expected my boys to participate in much fine art life and yet I was impressed with ESJ's requirement that everyone get a little art in their life. From film to sculpting to theology of the arts, my boys were stretched to see perspectives they would not otherwise have chosen. We received a generous amount of financial help to attend and I will consider this all the days of my life with thanksgiving. My boys did not feel less because they came from less. They made wonderful friends with students from all over Jacksonville and I was always welcomed on campus. None of us ever felt that we were not part of the community because we didn't start our academic career at an Episcopalian school. The high school years are rough. ESJ is a stand out in helping kids to reach their fullest in all aspects, not only academic. Their focus on strong and healthy physical and mental health is an additional area where they stand as giants in the high school choices. With sincerity I recommend that if you are looking for an excellent program for your son or daughter, you consider giving ESJ a good look. You won't be disappointed.

We have two children at ESJ and are very happy with the school. ESJ values the whole student and has so many opportunities for students to find and grow their strengths. The faculty and staff are wonderful, and I really believe that they all want my boys to do well and be successful. ESJ teaches the boys to be responsible for their own educations while always keeping in communication with parents. We are very happy we chose ESJ for our boys.