Page 35 - Alumni Horae: Vol. 93, No. 3 Spring 2013

morning Chapel, students overwhelmingly (62.9%) indicated
“time together.” While “a sense of spiritual connection” rated
lowest (26.1%), students also value tradition (46.5%), prayer
(31.8%), hymns (51.9%), and the incorporation of silence
(41.0%). “All of these,” says Spencer, “are conducive to the
sense of spiritual connection.”
Spencer points to four characteristics of an Episcopal
school that reflect its heritage: “We think, because of our
Anglican tradition with a deep commitment to education;
we meet, with a commitment to being together in com-mu-
nity; we serve, recognizing that a commitment to our own
community can build an insularity that promotes precious-
ness; and we love , as expressed in the love Christ showed –
that same love is demonstrated in all the great traditions of
the world and reflected in the values of the School Prayer.”
NAES Executive Director Heischman reiterates the conun-
drum for religious schools in modern times – the need to
remain inclusive while maintaining reverence for tradition.
“A lot of schools try to say what they are not,” says Heisch-
man. “But a curious thing has happened in that the ever-
increasing variety of religious traditions is challenging schools
to be clearer about who they are. We have had more schools
take time to look at their identities rather than sweep them
under the rug. St. Paul’s is seen as one of the real beacons of
Episcopal schools. With that comes the expectation of alumni
and the challenge of trying to articulate what that rich tradi-
tion means today. But I am not concerned about St. Paul’s,
[which uses] creativity in combining that faithfulness to
tradition with more contemporary expressions of faith.”
Admission Director Scott Bohan, who often finds himself
on the School’s front line, charged with expressing just what
it means that St. Paul’s is a “church” school, has a simple
way of defining that religious identity for those who inquire.
“Being a religious school allows us to talk intentionally
about being a good person,” he says. “It means
that we truly embrace being a community and
everything that entails, including the differ-
ences between our community members.
It means embracing the moral fiber of
what it is to be good and kind. We make
kids aware that they have been given an
incredible opportunity, and it’s their respon-
sibility to carry into the world the lessons
they learn here.”