About

Episcopal schools are Christian communities whose missions integrate spiritual formation into all aspects of the educational experience. Episcopal schools are most distinctive when they are true to this mission and when they do so in the graceful and inclusive manner which is the hallmark of the Anglican approach to education over centuries. In practice, these principles and ideals are expressed through:

• School Worship that is creative, inclusive, draws fully upon the liturgical resources of The Episcopal Church, and is a regular part of school life for all faculty and students.
• Community Life, in which reflection, prayer, and matters of the spirit are honored and cultivated, and the physical, mental, and emotional health of all are supported and nurtured.
• Religious Formation and Study that is meaningful, academically substantive, and age-appropriate; and in teaching the Christian tradition, fosters dialogue with other faith traditions.
• Social Justice, which is the integration of the ideals and concepts of equity, justice, and a just society throughout the life of the school; the embracing and honoring of diversity; and the inclusion of community service and service-learning as an integral part of the life of the school.

Find an Episcopal School near you

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas is proud of its 28 Episcopal schools, all of whom express these four values in unique and different ways. Almost all of our schools are either members of National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) or Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES).

Connect

Deputy for Episcopal Schools
Mary Katherine Duffy
‍Appointed by the Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, July 2019‍

Directory of Schools

Canon 15: Of Episcopal Schools

Section 1.

Any school providing education for young people at any and all levels from pre-school through high school, and located on the premises used for the benefit of or operated under the control, auspices, or approval of any parish, mission, organization, or institution of the Diocese, or any combination or group thereof (the “Church”), shall be defined as an Episcopal School within the Diocese of West Texas (the “Diocese”). No such school shall be established, maintained, or 30 operated without the written approval and consent of the Bishop of the Diocese ofWest Texas.

Section 2.

There shall be a Commission for Episcopal Schools in the“Diocese” (the “Commission”), which shall consist of not less than seven (7) or more than fifteen (15) members appointed by the Bishop.

(a) It shall be the duty of the “Commission” to establish guidelines and standards for the establishment, recognition, and certification of any and allEpiscopal Schools now, or in the future, operating within the “Diocese.”
(b) Schools recognized by the “Diocese” shall base their religious instruction on An Outline of the Faith as contained in The Book of Common Prayer of theEpiscopal Church.
(c) With the consent of the Bishop, this “Commission” shall establish by-laws in order to carry out the intent of this canon.
(d) This “Commission” shall report annually in writing to the Bishop and to the Council of the “Diocese.”
(e) All Episcopal schools in this diocese shall be subject to periodic or special review by the Trustees of the Episcopal Church Corporation in West Texas, in coordination with the Commission for Episcopal Schools, to ensure that the schools remain in compliance with diocesan canons, policies, guidelines, and directives.

Section 3.

Any educational facility that operates in conjunction with, upon the property of, or under the sponsorship of the Diocese of West Texas, or any parish, mission, or institution thereof, shall comply with all health, safety, fire, and sanitation standards at least equal to those required by state, municipal, and county health, fire, and sanitation codes.

Section 4.

Episcopal Schools related to or sponsored by the “Church” (as defined in Section 1 of this canon) in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas may, but are not required to, incorporate under the provisions of the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. When a school chooses to incorporate, The Articles of Incorporation and/orBy-Laws shall clearly state that the ownership of the school is vested in the“Church.” Copies of all such Articles of Incorporation and/or By-Laws shall be kept on file with the permanent records of the “Diocese” and the “Commission.”

(a) Parishes and missions, which already have Episcopal Schools at the time of the passage of this canon, will insure that they are in compliance with these policies, guidelines, and directives. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, if any, will be reviewed by the Diocesan Chancellor.
(b) The relationship of the governing body of the school and the governing body of the “Church” shall be clearly stated in the Articles of Incorporation. For those 31 schools that opt not to incorporate there shall be a clearly worded statement of the relationship between the governing body of the school and the governing body of the “Church.” Such articles or statements and subsequent changes to them shall be approved by the Bishop’s office.

Section 5.

Each Episcopal school shall have insurance sufficient to protect the property of the “Church” utilized by the school. The school will also have liability and other appropriate insurance related to the operation of the school that names as additional insured both the “Church” and the “Diocese.”

Section 6.

When a parish or mission wishes to establish an Episcopal school, it shall apply in writing to the Bishop for consent to continue the application process.Upon receiving the consent of the Bishop, the school may then begin the application process through the “Commission”. Final approval of a new school will be granted by the Trustees of The Episcopal Church Corporation in West Texas. TheTrustees of the Episcopal Church Corporation in West Texas shall have the responsibility of making a final determination as to the future establishment of Episcopal Schools in this diocese, consistent with the guidelines and standards established by the Commission for Episcopal Schools and approved by the Trustees within their canonical authority regarding the structure under which Episcopal schools in this diocese will operate and their relationship to the sponsoring parishes or missions. Application by a new school shall require all legal, foundational documents including proposed Articles of Incorporation and/or By-Laws, or other organizational statements, to be forwarded to the “Commission” and Trustees insufficient form and detail to demonstrate that the “Church” and school will function in a manner consistent with Diocesan canons, policies, guidelines andd irectives.

Section 7.

Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in Section 1, 2, 4 and 6 above, a Parish and/or a Mission may, after consultation with any other EpiscopalSchools in the area and with the prior written consent of the Bishop and theTrustees of the Episcopal Church Corporation in West Texas, lease a portion of their premises to a school providing education for young people from pre-school through high school. The lease agreement between the Trustees of the Church Corporation and the school shall be for a determined period, reviewed annually by the Trustees and the Bishop, and shall contain terms which ensure that the school meets diocesan policies, guidelines and directives, including without limitation, the requirement that all employees complete Safeguarding God’s Children and any other such program required by Church Insurance Corporation. Further, the lease agreement shall specify that the School must, at all times, meet Sections 3 and 5 of this Canon 15. The consent to lease any portion of a Parish and/or Mission is subject to the sole discretion of the Bishop and the Trustee of the Church Corporation.