The ESN art curriculum is designed for students to understand the importance of art, and build individual knowledge and skill in various art forms and techniques.

Students in each grade are introduced to a variety of art mediums, artists, and subjects to inspire creativity, and discover connections to other academic studies.

Students are encouraged to expand their imagination through discovery, observation, and self-expression as they explore the elements of art and observe those elements in nature and in man-made environments.

From the earliest stages of Episcopal School’s development, the school library collection has been a major focus and source of pride within the community. At the core of the library curriculum is developing a love of reading, critical thinking skills and problem solving. We explore our local, national and global communities using resources from our collection and from other primary sources.

Starting in PK, students visit the library at least once a week, with access to a diverse and well curated selection of books and materials. Early Childhood classes focus on cultivating a love of reading, with weekly storytimes and literacy based activities.

In our Lower School, traditional library skill development such as using a dictionary, the Dewey Decimal System and how to conduct research are added to the curriculum. Weekly STEAM activities and project based units are integrated into an exploration of the library collection. Middle school students use the library to work on projects, relax over a game of Scrabble, check out books and have access to independent STEAM project materials weekly.

When students graduate from ESN, they will have gained the tools and skills necessary to continue using information resources responsibly as a part of their academic career.

Starting in the Grade 3, students begin learning basic skills and coding concepts that set a base for more complex projects as they move forward.

Grade 3

Students are introduced to the concepts of computer programming through the block-based visual programming language Scratch.

Grade 4

Students start learning text-based programming, and using a web-based application called Trinket, students are introduced to the Python programming language.

Grades 5-6

This curriculum is structured around investigating various programming topics in order to foster a love of computers, logic, and engineering. Students will explore subjects as diverse as investigations of the internet and the technologies that make it all possible.

Starting in Grade 5

The Public Speaking and Debate elective for students in Grades 5-8 is an excellent way to encourage students to break out of their comfort zone and build self-confidence.

The ESN music program aims to develop a lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music.

This is achieved through instruction where students can create, play, and explore in a nurturing environment. Our program aligns with the National Standards for Music Education.

Grades 3-6

The Purple Martin Choir is ESN’s premier vocal ensemble. Open to Grades 3-6, students learn the fundamentals of vocal technique and how to read music.

We focus primarily on the enjoyment of ensemble music, however, we have at least one formal performance per semester. Students learn to refine performances with expression, appropriate interpretation, and technical accuracy while developing confidence as a performer.

For Students in Lower School (Grades K-5)

Our gardening curriculum focuses on 4 overarching and intersecting goals.

(1) The garden is a site that supports science learning in particular and school achievement in general through hands-on activities and garden based literature.

(2) Students learn about healthy eating habits and gain knowledge of food systems and foodways by selecting, planting, caring for, harvesting, and eating what they grow.

(3) Ecological knowledge and environmentally responsible behaviors are learned and reinforced through practices such as recycling and composting.

(4) Positive youth development and social and emotional learning are supported through garden activities as students working together to plan and carry out their own projects in partnership with the natural environment.