Making a Difference... providing a foundation to last a lifetime.

The Episcopal Day School is a Christian church school and religion is an integral part of its life. Each school day begins with a Chapel service in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.  The Chapel service is usually led by the Director and/or the school Chaplain, who is an Episcopal clergyman.  Instruction is based on the messages in the Holy Bible and not on the doctrine of the Episcopal Church.  Parents are responsible for the religious journey of their own children, so the goal of the daily Chapel services is to learn respect for each other regardless of individual differences. Consequently, children are expected to behave in a reverent manner.  Attendance and participation at daily Chapel service is required of all students and faculty without exception. Parents, relatives, and friends are invited to worship at any of the services.  Any questions about religion, the Episcopal Church, and other related matters that directly impact the School need to be directed to the Rector at the Church of the Advent, Episcopal located at 104 W. Elizabeth Street.

History

The Episcopal Day School, an educational outreach of the Church of the Advent – Episcopal, has been serving the community of Brownsville since 1948. What began as a dream to provide a superior educational environment has become an institution of learning that is grounded in a tradition of academic excellence and spiritual formation.

The Episcopal Day School (EDS) is a source of discovery, joy, and fulfillment. My wife, Janet, and I moved to Brownsville in the late 1980's and came to know
EDS.  The Episcopal Day School was a partner in service providing Thanksgiving and Christmas food for the hungry when I was a priest at St. Paul's Episcopal Mission  (1988-1993), which is located in the Southmost area.  When we returned to Brownsville in 2004, our daughter, Michelle, was enrolled in fifth grade.  EDS became a center for learning and a spiritual community for our family.  The three of us met new friends and families who share similar values and goals for our children. Now that I am the Rector of the Church of the Advent, I have new responsibilities concerning the mission of the Episcopal Day School.  One of my delights is to teach in our daily Chapel for our students and their teachers.  I arrive smiling and leave with a bigger smile after I experience the EDS community in prayer, song, listening, and walking in God's Holy Name.  The Episcopal Day School has given my family and me many gifts, and we intend to give back in the years to come.  These EDS gifts are:  discovery of spiritual connections, joy in relationships and friendships, and fulfillment in learning, knowledge, and truth.  Thanks be to God for the Episcopal Day School! ……The Reverend Richard J. Aguilar - Rector, Church of the Advent and Episcopal Day School, EDS Board Member, Parent of an EDS Alumna

Mission

The mission of the Episcopal Day School is to nurture each child so that he/she may learn to seek knowledge, love truth, and respect his/her Creator and all that He has created. 

The students of the Episcopal Day School know they will always be a part of a school family where relationships remain strong and supportive. Alumni move into their futures with the knowledge and the friendships that will shape their history.  They are anchored in an education that has given them inquiring and discerning hearts with courage to venture forth as competent, capable, and caring members of our ever-changing society.  The alumni of the school value the learning they have received. In turn, the Day School values each and every student who has been a member of the EDS family. …… Helen Taylor – Past Staff Member

Philosophy

At the Episcopal Day School we believe in implementing a strong academic program with particular emphasis on the basic academic skills.  Our students are guided in their physical, mental, emotional, social, aesthetic, and spiritual growth within a disciplined, stimulating, and creative environment.  We believe in fostering a love for learning and instilling in each child a respect for himself/herself and others.  This is accomplished within the context of a diverse, multicultural community where each person – student, teacher, staff member, administrator – is seen and valued as a child of God. 

Like most parents, I did my research before choosing a school for my three-year-old.  After we interviewed, observed, questioned, prayed, worried, and agonized, we chose EDS.  Throughout her two years in preschool, my timid toddler blossomed into an articulate little girl.  As a parent, I was pleased and for the most part, confident that we had chosen the best school for our little princess.  Then the opportunity arose for me to join the EDS faculty, and I felt God calling me to service at EDS.  Vividly, I remember my first glimpse inside the inner workings of EDS.  I was sitting in a grade-level meeting for teachers of grades 4, 5, and 6.  As I sat in quiet participation, I found myself surrounded by godly, professional women who were eagerly planning for the upcoming academic year.  In their voices, I heard such a depth of caring for their students.  I felt so validated!  Indeed, I had made the right choice for my daughter, as well as myself! …… Rebecca Franke - Teacher and Parent

New Rector for Church of the Advent Episcopal

Dear Advent Family,

With great news and great joy, I am pleased to announce that we have a new Rector!  After interviewing, visiting, and celebrating the Holy Eucharist together, the vestry unanimously voted to issue a Call to The Reverend Maurice Lane Friedman.  An agreement has been signed for a three-year contract, which can be extended with the consent of both parties in the future.  Bishop Lillibridge has concurred, and Father Friedman hopes to begin his ministry among us by mid-September.

Father Friedman lives in Helotes and has been Vicar at The Church of the Holy Spirit in San Antonio since 2002.  Before coming to Holy Spirit, he served as Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockport.  He also served as Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, both Active Duty and the Reserves, retiring in November 2009 after 20 years of service.  His last tour of duty was at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas where he served since 1995.  His active duty time included nine years in Germany, Colorado and Texas.  Father Friedman has successfully led his congregations by increasing participation and quality of worship, music, Christian Education, stewardship, and ministries.  He conducted re-visioning workshops, improved the appearance of the physical properties, and created and implemented five and ten-year master plans. 

Father Friedman celebrated the twenty-ninth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on June 15, 2009.  He graduated in 1974 from Penn State University, and in 1979, earned his Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. Within the diocese, he has been involved with the Disaster Relief Task Force, Liturgy and Music Commission, Good Samaritan Camp, and Spiritual Life Commission. He is married to Mary Louise, and they have five children and four grandchildren.

The Holy Spirit has truly been at work at Advent.  I wish to especially thank Father Doug for his tireless energy, inspiration, encouragement, humor, and care of all of Advent’s parishioners and ministries.  Never have we had an interim priest do so much for us.  On behalf of the Vestry and the Transition Team, who, themselves, have worked so diligently, thank you!

*For more information and photograph of Father Friedman, go to www.holyspirit-episcopal.com