Faith Commitment

What we Believe

As a network of Christian schools, we embrace “the faith that has been once and for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 4). The Nicene Creed is the symbol of that faith recognized by the whole Church. Board members, faculty, and administrators, are required to affirm the Nicene Creed whole-heartedly and without exception and to belong to churches that do the same.

Our curriculum and school culture is designed to support intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth in the great tradition of Christian education. While we do not require a Christian faith commitment from our students or their parents, we do require parents to acknowledge and to give their consent for their children to be taught accordingly.

We understand that as a school we do not have the authority of ourselves to determine the application of the Christian faith to all areas of life. The authority to make such determinations - especially regarding social, ethical, and moral standards - belongs to the Church and its ordained leadership, and as an ecclesial institution it is our duty to submit to this authority. 

Regarding the issues relating to human personhood and sexuality that are forefront in contemporary culture, the Church has spoken with a unified voice—East and West, Evangelical and Catholic. For more information about the Church's position on theses issues see: God's Design for Marriage (Anglican),  Encyclical On Marriage (Orthodox),  Joint Statement of Evangelicals and Catholics Together (Evangelical and Catholic),  The Nashville Statement (Evangelical).

The behavioral standards and cultural protocol of each campus location will abide by and uphold the canons and constitutions, covenants, and/or bylaws governing the congregation or parish where the school is planted. All employees are required in word and deed to abide by and support these standards.

Ecumenicity

ESI is an ecumenical network of church-based school campuses, inspired by a common vision of a flourishing church and united by a common mission to expand access to extraordinary Christian education. We are eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, bearing with one another in love, with all humility and gentleness, and with patience - especially when it comes to differences in practices from one Christian tradition to another. 

Each ESI campus is planted in a congregation or parish representing a distinct Christian tradition; and while members of a given campus community (employees, students, or parents) are not required to belong to the tradition that campus reflects, they are asked to respect and support the ways that tradition is reflected in the culture of the school.