Episcopal School of Jacksonville

I am a recently graduated student who attended during roughly 2016-2023 (for privacy the numbers are slightly fudged). The overall experience was a 9/10. Everything was great; almost all the teachers were absolutely wonderful (some felt like best friends since the majority of teachers must be involved in a sport or club). There were of course the rare few that weren`t great but that's how every school is. Besides being great teachers, some can even be great mentors. One teacher of mine was extremely down to earth and understanding, they were truly amazing. I highly enjoyed my last 4 years as that's when the most interesting learning is. They truly teach great skills at this school, and even though I would complain about something at school to my parents, it was truly a great experience.

We have two children attending the Lower School Beaches Campus, and they have absolutely flourished. It is so refreshing to find a place where your child is known and loved by the Faculty. ESJ has provided my children an opportunity to find their strengths and gifts, but also the necessary grit to overcome challenges. I am blown away by how confident my children have become, leadership they exhibit, and the meaningful conversations they can have about their faith. The opportunities that are available even after school are engaging and for my two children. My Pre-K child is taking Dance after-school meanwhile my other child is alternating classes in Yoga and Piano.

My daughter has blossomed here. There is no better way to say it. She is THRIVING, loved, and receives the support she needs academically when necessary and also additional challenges she needs in the areas where she is talented. I know how fortunate we are to be at Episcopal, and I wish every child could attend ESJ. They will be supported, encouraged, and grow into who they are meant to be while they are on campus. The opportunities for them are endless, the faculty and coaches amazing, and the environment challenging yet supportive. GO HERE. You will not be disappointed.

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.