Discover ESK

AtmosphereAcademics

Daily ChapelFine ArtsAthletics

Farm to TableWorld Languages

ESK is unqiue because of the caring culture created through the Tribes process. The mission of Tribes is to assure the healthy development of every child so that each has the knowledge, competency and resilience to be successful in a rapidly changing

world. The goal of a Tribes school is to engage all teachers, administrators, students and families in working together as a learning community dedicated to caring and support, ac-tive participation and positive expectations for all students. Evidence of the Tribes process in action can be seen and felt throughout the school: in group activities with students ac-tively engaged in hands-on learning, using attentive listening and respecting and appreciating the gifts of their classmates; in weekly Guidance classes, where students learn how to live out

the Tribes Agreements and actively develop character in their daily lives; and in the intangible, yet real, feelings of happiness and engagement that visitors to our school experience and on which they comment.

In a parent survey conducted in the fall of 2011, parents made numerous comments about the sense of community at ESK. Below are a few of their comments:

l ESK helps develop students as a wholel Very comfortable and secure teaching environment for the childrenl Nurturing atmospherel Kindnessl Creativityl Structured yet fun and very lovingl Sense of family/communityl Hands-on, creative learning using multiple mediums and techniquesl Encourages each child to reach his potential, utilizes multiple resourcesl The enthusiasm and joy of learningl Education offered in a family, value-centered way

Discover ESK

Atmosphere

A strong academic program, which is enriched by the Episcopal ethos, strong character development, fine arts pro-grams and commitment to community service, makes ESK unique at its core.

Evidence of the success of the academic program is seen in the number of awards students win in academic competitions such as Science Fairs , Model UN, Young Writer’s Workshop, National Latin Exam, poetry contests , Lego Robotics , and the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP). This year, ten sev-enth grade students scored at the top of the group of students participating in Duke TIP nationally and were recognized for their accomplishments in a ceremony at Vanderbilt University. They follow in the footsteps of many ESK seventh graders who have consistently scored in the top 10th percentile nationally. Graduates from ESK go on to excel in lo-cal high schools , and many graduates have received prestigious academic scholarships to Baylor, McCal-lie, Chatham Hall and other boarding schools. Here are some comments about ESK from our recent stakeholder surveys:

l The education offered is of high quality.l ESK enjoys a positive reputation in Knoxville.l ESK has higher standards of education and sense of community. l Administrators at ESK lead teachers , students and the school community in an effective and posi-tive way.

Academics

6Daily Chapel

Daily Chapel and Religion classes are comfort-ing outward signs of our Episcopal identity. All students attend a daily chapel service of-fering music, singing, prayers, a story or read-ing, and a brief homily. The school welcomes

people of all faiths and invites them to grow spiritually. Lessons teach desirable character traits, like courage, justice, forgiveness, and thankfulness. They learn commitment to the dignity of all people and that we are all part of God’s family. “The chapel program is evidence of the school’s mis-sion to form virtuous persons, not just sharp minds. At ESK we emphasize the unique aspect of the Episcopal pedagogi-cal ethos which uses discovery rather than indoctrination to form students in the Christian faith and tradition,” chaplain Josh Hill said. Students also attend weekly Religion classes. Lower School students learn stories about people in the Bible. Sixth grad-ers study Eastern world religions, and seventh graders study Western religions. Eighth graders participate in ethics classes and in the spring take part in “This I Believe” speeches in chapel.

no matter where we are in our spiritual

journey, we try to provide a space for each of

us to explore what this might mean.

The Episcopal School of Knoxville believes that immersion in the creative arts is a key part of growing up. The school’s Fine Arts program now consists of studio art, com-puter art, filmmaking, music and chorus,

and band. Classes take place in well-appointed studios, music rooms and computer labs. All students show-case their work at Lower School and Middle School Fine Arts Celebrations each spring. From a kindergarten student’s earliest days painting with tempera to an eighth grader’s combining sculp-ture, music and video to produce Claymation, students receive a rich studio art experience. In music, all students in grades K-8 receive a diversi-fied program of music instruction under Dr. Deborah Sousa. Students at all grade levels sing , dance, play musical instruments and perform in musical theatre. They listen to a wide range of music. Middle School students put on a musical theatre production each spring. “Students get a taste of lots of different musi-cal genres, so they can see what lights their fire,” said Dr. Sousa.

Fine Arts

Band is offered beginning in sixth grade, when students can begin taking band instruction, leading to exciting , periodic band performances. The band consists of two ensembles: a beginning band for sixth graders and an advanced band for seventh and eighth graders. The band performs at Lessons and Carols at a local Episcopal church at Christmas, and as pep band at basketball games. Band practice takes place in the Bob Rush band room in the Mid-dle School.

ESK athletics focus uniquely on teaching life skills through competition. ESK students practice sportsmanship on the field or court before, during and after athletic events. “In a world of ‘winning at all costs,’ in ESK athletics, students

win but with the ultimate goal of exemplifying respect and honor for the sport and our opponents,” said ESK Athletic Director Laurie Coburn. “We have many championship banners on our wall, but to really create a champion athlete is to teach skills in communication, teamwork, preparation and integrity.” The Episcopal School offers a full range of athletics: Cross Country, Flag Football, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Trap Shooting, Track, Lacrosse and Golf. Lower School intramural sports gives the students chances to develop athletic skills through athletics camps during the school year and the summer. ESK can point to a record of success. Our girls’ volleyball team bested teams from schools more than twice our size to win the KISL championship in 2012. Our girls’ and boys’ basketball teams have gone to the KISL tournament the last three of five years, and our JV boys defeated older, more es-tablished teams to win the championship in 2012. Athletes who graduate from ESK typically play the sports of their choice at the school of their choice.

Athletics

When students go through the lunch line at ESK, the rich, fresh colors and fra-grances of the homemade foods entice even the pickiest eaters. In a move to-ward healthy living, ESK has instituted

an all-natural, farm to table dining program complete with an organic school garden planted and tended by students, faculty and alumni. On a daily basis, students are given the option of sandwiches on homemade bread, a freshly made hot entrée and an array of crunchy raw fruits and vegetables in a salad bar. “I’m very excited to offer healthy food to the children, to have such nutritious food that tastes good,” Associate

Dining Hall Director Renee Nye said. “We’re doing some-thing that’s good for our children in so many ways. We’re taking all the chemicals out of their bodies. They can only benefit from that.” In the lunch program, purchased vegetables plus fruits, meats and dairy products are bought fresh from local farmers. Bread and rolls are made fresh on campus while a brood of on-campus hens contributes eggs used in the dining hall. A particular point of satisfaction for stu-dents is their role in raising the produce served at lunch. Planted and tended by students in season, the garden produces tomatoes, zucchini and squash, green beans, and peppers.

Farm to Table

World language study at ESK immerses children in a range of languages from their earliest days. Lower school world language study is treated as enrichment that gradually intensi-

fies to prepare students for Middle School study. Even kindergarten and first grade students are quickly sing-ing songs and playing games and learning about the cultures of Spanish and Mandarin speaking countries. In Middle School, students choose between Latin, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese as a core subject. By the end of eighth grade, students have gained proficiency in one language equivalent to at least one year of study in high school. In small, interdisciplinary and dynamic classes, Middle School world language students are prepar-ing for the rigorous world they will encounter in high school, and the global society beyond.

World Languages

BY THE END OF EIGHTH GRADE, STUDENTS GAIN

PROFICIENCY IN (A) WORLD LANGUAGE IN ORDER TO PREPARE

THEM FOR A RAPIDLY EXPANDING GLOBAL SOCIETY.