Episcopal High School

Episcopal High School is a 100 percent boarding school in Northern Virginia, having easy access to Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. Students are urged to try new things, with required afternoon options two hours each day, for a healthy balance between work and life. The sense of community and inclusion is emphasized so that every student feels included and at home in a completely new environment of a boarding school. The school sponsors various activities on weekends, allowing students to go beyond the campus and explore the nearby community.

The school is good, but it's a bit aloof.

Episcopal Highschool is located very close to Washington D.C., making it a great school for spending time with friends or engaging in cultural activities on weekends! Another big advantage is that it's a 100% residential boarding school, which allows for strong support from teachers and the maintenance of invaluable friendships. Plus, the school offers many activities for students to participate in on weekends, so you can always have a good time!

I am a parent of a current EHS student. I sent my two children to different boarding schools, and one of them is having a very satisfactory experience at EHS. If I had a third child, it would be the school I would choose again without hesitation.

EHS is a community where respect and support among students, seniors/juniors, and teachers thrive. My child has grown significantly, influenced by respected seniors, and is striving to be a role model for younger students. I am satisfied and grateful to see them growing in such a virtuous cycle.

Academically, the challenging subject composition stands out, especially math, science, and computer subjects which are college-level. For example, Linear Algebra expands into PCA-based facial recognition projects, teaching practical skills and application abilities simultaneously. The curriculum that strongly trains writing for STEM students is also a significant advantage.

Admission results are excellent, and Asian students also show strong college placement records. Counseling, recommendation letters, and the school atmosphere all support students in leveraging their strengths, and the admission process itself fosters a healthy environment where everyone encourages each other.

Bishop High School, established in 1839, is one of the oldest full boarding high schools in the United States. Located in Washington D.C., the U.S. capital, it is only 8.1 miles from the White House and boasts a high level of safety. Moreover, it is the only full boarding school in an urban area across the U.S., making shopping and dining extremely convenient. The school has a church background, emphasizing not only academic development but also character education. The full boarding system is a major feature of the school; students are no longer distinguished between day students and boarders, as their learning and daily lives are integrated. In bustling Washington D.C., a 100% boarding student ratio is highly valuable.

The school offers over 140 courses, including 45 honors and advanced courses, and teaches six different foreign languages. The school has 48 varsity teams covering 16 sports, with squash being particularly renowned, even having a dedicated squash facility, the Goodman Squash Center, for students to compete and practice. The school also places great importance on arts and cultural activities; annually, the school stages 3 to 4 major theatrical productions, and each performance class is required to rehearse and perform one to two plays per semester.

The Washington Program is a highly distinctive activity at Bishop High School, running throughout students' 9th-12th grades. Due to its location in Washington D.C., the school suspends classes every Wednesday afternoon, and teachers lead students to visit various museums, the Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial, and more. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the city's political structure, geographical history, and natural resources, helping them explore truth, gain social insight, and form their own perspectives.

Principal Zhan's Comments: EHS is a school strong in both academics and sports, offering a rich curriculum with unlimited difficulty levels. Located very close to Washington D.C., children have the opportunity to participate in various types of activities and practical experiences. Additionally, many students come from embassy families and children of nearby government officials, forming a unique social environment at the school from which children can benefit for life.
In terms of cultural heritage, EHS's history of over 180 years has seen it through wars, development, and transformation, helping it accumulate many highly accomplished alumni, including Pulitzer Prize winners, Wall Street financiers, university presidents, and even members of Congress, governors, and ambassadors. These alumni represent invaluable networking resources passed down to all students.
Regarding academic development, EHS offers over 180 courses, including more than 75 advanced and honors courses. Students can choose suitable courses based on their interests and abilities. The school's sports program is also very strong, offering virtually every indoor and outdoor sport imaginable, and students are required to earn 6 credits annually.
For community building, EHS requires over 90% of its faculty and 100% of its students to reside on campus. This ensures that students not only receive assistance at any time but also experience a fairer and more harmonious learning and living environment. Benefiting from its proximity to the capital, EHS's social environment is highly diverse, allowing children to interact and learn with classmates from various embassy families, gaining deep exposure to multiculturalism.
In terms of emotional support, EHS boasts a complete infirmary building, comparable in size to a private clinic. The first floor provides physical treatment, while the second floor offers psychological counseling, comprehensively safeguarding students' physical and mental health.

6. Library Resources: The library collection includes approximately 25,000 items and 75 journals, supplemented by online databases accessible to students both on and off campus. The library also boasts over 3,000 videos and appropriate viewing facilities. Digital cameras, camcorders, and other equipment are circulated by the library.

7. Rich Sports Programs: EHS offers a total of 16 different sports with 48 sports teams. The EHS boys' team has been named the Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) champion 40 times. Since 1993, the Bishop girls' team has won the ISL Independent School League (ISL) championship 32 times. Furthermore, since 1996, the Bishop teams have secured 11 Virginia Independent Schools State Championships. The school's squash program is renowned, with a dedicated squash facility for matches and practice. Another featured sport is rock climbing; for a school of over 400 students, there are four rock climbing teams (boys and girls combined).

8. Emphasis on Drama: Students in every grade are required to read at least one Shakespearean work and perform in one Shakespearean play.

9. Focus on Arts Cultivation: Over 75% of students participate in art courses. The SQ.FT Art Theater includes a 100-seat black box theater, a 540-seat art auditorium, 9 rehearsal rooms, 1 digital photography studio, and a 24-channel digital recording studio.

1. Location: Excellent location in Washington D.C., the capital. It passes by the White House, ensuring high safety. Transportation and daily life are very convenient, with a 15-minute commute to downtown D.C. and 10 minutes to the Pentagon. The school's surroundings boast shopping centers and various restaurants. EHS is the only school in the U.S. that is urban yet 100% boarding.
2. Academic Excellence: The average SAT score is 1350/1600. It also offers the Global Online Academy (GOA): EHS partners with GOA, a non-profit organization comprised of leading independent schools worldwide. GOA provides EHS students with opportunities to learn alongside peers from around the globe. Through GOA, teachers and students can share their voices on a global stage, enhance learning, and inspire the pursuit of personal passions.
3. Rich Curriculum: Offers 45 AP and Honors courses, meeting students' diverse course selection needs.
4. Cultivating Insight and Artistic Appreciation: The school has a "Washington Project." Due to its location in Washington D.C., the school holds no classes on Wednesday afternoons. Teachers lead students on visits to various historical and art museums, botanical gardens/zoos, the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and more. Approximately twice a month, students attend world-class performances such as concerts, musicals, and ballets at the Kennedy Center.
5. International Exchange Programs: EHS has established exchange programs with schools in Austria, France, and Spain, and has launched a pilot exchange program with Chile.

Episcopal High School's signature courses include:
Fall Semester Courses - Number Theory, Introduction to Investing, Social Psychology, Positive Psychology, Computer Science I, II, Filmmaking, Creative Nonfiction Writing, iOS App Design, Game Theory, Bioethics, Microeconomics, Philosophy in Global Issues, Medical Problem Solving I, II, Linear Algebra, Business Problem Solving;

Spring Semester Courses - Architecture, Philosophy in Modern Global Issues, Abnormal Psychology, Bioethics, Comparative Politics, Digital Journalism 2, Game Theory, Gender Studies, Genocide and Human Rights, Introduction to Psychology, iOS App Design, Medical Problem Solving I, II, Organic Chemistry.

The school emphasizes cultivating the arts, with over 75% of students participating in art courses. The school offers a 42,000 sq. ft. performing arts center, including a 100-seat black box theater, a 540-seat arts auditorium, 9 rehearsal rooms, 1 digital photography studio, and 1 24-channel digital recording studio.

Episcopal High School is very close to the capital DC area, boasting an excellent geographical location in Washington D.C., passing by the White House, and offering high security. Transportation and daily life are very convenient, with a 15-minute commute to downtown DC and a 10-minute commute to the Pentagon. Around the school, shopping centers and various restaurants are readily available. EHS is the only 100% boarding school in an urban area in the entire United States. Every Wednesday afternoon, teachers lead students to Washington to visit various historical and art museums, biological parks, the Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial, and other places. Approximately twice a month, they go to the Kennedy Center to attend concerts and watch world-class performances such as musicals and ballets.

The school fully leverages the resources of the Washington D.C. area, resulting in a very high standard of humanities education; all students are required to study four years of mathematics and science, making it suitable for science enthusiasts to achieve high GPAs.

Bishop High School Profile: Student enrollment 440, teacher-student ratio 1:5, international students 16%, 100% boarding rate, 80% of teachers hold advanced degrees. Bishop High School is renowned for its strong academics and athletics, offering a rich and incredibly challenging curriculum. Located very close to Washington D.C., students have access to a wide variety of activities and practical experiences. As one of only four fully residential schools in the United States, Bishop High School is nestled in the Washington D.C. suburbs of Virginia, just a 15-minute drive from the White House. A distinguishing feature of Bishop High School is its mentorship program, which serves as a parental figure for students while they are at school. Mentors also guide students through independent research projects, allowing each student to co-develop a course with an academic mentor to explore topics of personal interest.

5. Every afternoon during sports time, children participate in various outdoor sports on green lawns under blue skies with white clouds. There are weekly competitions, and coaches, teachers, and teammates cheer on the participants from outside the field, creating a very vibrant atmosphere.
6. The school's geographical location is extremely convenient. It's a 15-minute drive from Reagan Airport and also a 15-minute drive to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., making it very convenient for holiday travel and weekend activities.
7. The Old Town of Alexandria, where the school is located, is a very beautiful small city. Choosing EHS was the right decision.

2. Most teachers at the school live on campus and are very concerned about the children's well-being. They can recount many details about the children's daily lives, which clearly shows their deep love for the children;3. The Family Day activities were very rich and well-organized, reflecting the school's orderly management;4. On Family Day, we saw performances and displays by the school choir, symphony orchestra, percussion ensemble, drama club, and robotics team, observing children developing their interests, expressing themselves, and realizing their potential in activities they enjoy;

In October this year, as the parent of a current student, I attended the Fall Family Day event at EHS and experienced the school's atmosphere firsthand. Here are my thoughts on participating in the on-campus activities during this trip:
1. The weekly seated dinner and chapel service are full of ritual. Children from the same advisory group have dinner with their adviser, then go to the chapel to listen to presentations by internal or external speakers. This broadens their horizons, while the close-knit interpersonal relationships give boarding students a sense of home;

A 100% boarding American high school, with an international student ratio of around 14%. The school is located in VA, very close to the capital DC special district. The school will fully utilize the resources of the Washington DC area to create more opportunities for students. For example, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of the American Indian, opportunities to meet founders of DC's entrepreneurial community, and opportunities to learn about environmental science.

1. EHS places great importance on Chinese international students; the school and Chinese parents have established WeChat groups. With Chinese school representatives, Chinese parents can stay informed about school development and policies in a timely manner.

2. EHS is very caring towards students and is willing to spend generously on them. During the 2020 pandemic's spring break, school teachers arranged for staff to stay on campus overtime to care for Chinese students who remained at school. Various epidemic prevention policies also catered to Chinese students.

3. The EHS Chinese parent group is united, mutually supportive, and has a good atmosphere.

4. EHS liberal arts teachers are highly qualified, and science subjects are comprehensively offered. Although EHS is often said to be suitable for liberal arts students, it is actually also suitable for top science students. This is because all students must study four years of mathematics and science (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.), which are the strong suits of top science students. After overcoming the language barrier, science students can also excel in history and literature, as the main assessment for these liberal arts subjects is essays. Finding arguments and evidence relies on logical thinking, which science students are adept at. Therefore, top science students at EHS have a greater chance of achieving a top GPA compared to those at schools strong in science.

5. EHS local students' academics are not as hyper-competitive as in some other schools, so Chinese students at EHS can generally achieve high standardized test scores and GPAs.

The school offers 6 foreign language courses, including French, Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, and Latin. Leveraging its proximity to Washington D.C., the school provides a unique Washington Program, allowing all students to explore the capital through 4 core areas: cultural awareness, entrepreneurship, public policy, and sustainability.

In addition, Episcopal High School offers summer and year-round programs, as well as exchange programs and pilot exchange programs to countries such as France, Austria, Costa Rica, Italy, and Spain, enabling students to deeply experience different cultures and languages. Annually, the school facilitates over 20 Washington Programs and 90 in-city and weekend volunteer service opportunities.

During the pandemic, annual community service trips were suspended. Asymptomatic positive students will isolate for 5 days, while symptomatic students will isolate for 10 days. The school requires all eligible students and staff to be fully vaccinated. Eligible students can receive vaccine boosters at the health center.

EHS is located in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, with significant geographical advantages. The school provides 24/7 security.
The boarding rate is as high as 100%, and there are many weekend activities.
[Featured Programs]:
The Washington Program: Required for all 9-12th grade students. This program emphasizes experiential education, providing all students with opportunities to explore Washington D.C. during their extracurricular time. Through experiences in Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas, students learn how to engage in the nation's capital and apply the skills they've learned in the classroom. In the spring of their senior year, students complete their coursework by early May, allowing them to selectively participate in a four-week external internship in the Washington area based on their interests.
[Guest Lectures] EHS fully leverages Washington D.C.'s resources as a political, business, and academic center, regularly inviting experts from various industries to the school to share lectures on the world and the future with students.
[About Religious Background]: All students and teachers attend worship three times a week, gathering for spiritual reflection. On Fridays, faculty and students from diverse faith backgrounds have the opportunity to engage in informal conversations, sharing experiences, perspectives, or personal revelations in an intimate and trusting environment. Chaplains support students' individual spiritual journeys (regardless of their religious beliefs) and assist in arranging for students to attend religious services of various faiths outside of school. However, the school does not compel students to convert or adhere to a specific religion and warmly welcomes students from all backgrounds to join the school community.

Sharer:
Could you please introduce us to Bishop High School's college guidance program?

Admissions Officer:
Our school has 3-4 full-time college counselors. We actually start guiding students from 9th grade, but if we're talking about the formal start of guidance, it's 11th grade. We've gradually started communicating with students about college admissions from 10th grade, but the formal guidance begins in 11th grade. Our counselors will guide students throughout the entire process. Additionally, for families who cannot attend parent-teacher conferences at school, we have also launched online parent meetings. This way, we can effectively assist families who were unable to come to campus for college guidance.

Share:

Bishop High School is a 100% boarding school, so it pays very high attention to every student. Could you share how the school helps new students, for example, those entering in 9th grade, adapt more quickly to school life and studies?

Admissions Officer:
Certainly, our school provides comprehensive support to help new students adapt more quickly. We have an International Student Welcome Week, and some of our senior students also regularly contact and interact with new students before the start of the semester. Furthermore, the school's Advisor Support System is very effective; typically, one teacher is responsible for 6-7 students, ensuring a high level of attention for each student. Therefore, our school makes every effort to ensure that every student, whether from China or local to Virginia, feels the warmth of our school community and the attention given to each student, because every student at our school makes Bishop High School unique.

Since 2004, the National Chamber Players have been the Ensemble-in-Residence at EHS. Composed of National Symphony Orchestra members and other distinguished artists, and under the artistic direction of N.S.O. cellist James Lee, the National Chamber Players present four concerts annually in Pendleton Hall at the Ainslie Arts Center. Featuring ensembles ranging from solo instruments to a chamber orchestra, the concerts are appreciated by the school community, critics, and loyal followers for their innovative, balanced programs and masterful performances.
The on-campus vocal program is performance-based, with students having the opportunity to develop stronger musical skills and healthy vocal techniques while exploring various repertoires and styles. The school has two choirs and offers private vocal lessons. Performance opportunities are plentiful, with on-campus chances including Chapel services, Parents’ Weekend, Spring Sing, recitals, coffeehouses, and the annual Lessons and Carols at Christmas. Off-campus performances include Carnegie Hall, Washington National Cathedral, and St. John’s Church Lafayette Square.

The school offers over 140 courses and 75 honors courses. Additionally, the school partners with Global Online Academy (GOA), a non-profit consortium of the world's leading independent schools.

GOA provides EHS students with the opportunity to learn alongside peers from around the world. Students, along with faculty mentors and the Assistant Director of Academics, can develop a course covering any topic they wish to explore further. This will complement the work of regular courses, typically a semester-long study that will be graded and earn academic credit for the student.

Bishop High School boasts an excellent location in Washington D.C., the capital, offering convenient transportation and high safety. The full boarding system is a key feature of the school, allowing students to better integrate into the community and make friends. Bishop High School's "Washington Program" spans students' entire 9th-12th grade experience. Every Wednesday afternoon, classes are suspended, and teachers lead students on visits to historical, cultural, political, and artistic sites in Washington D.C., broadening their horizons and stimulating critical thinking. Graduates of Bishop High School consistently attract the attention of numerous universities. Over the past four years, graduates have matriculated into prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Tufts University, Duke University, University of Virginia, Princeton University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the University of Georgia, among others.

EHS offers students Independent Study opportunities. For students who desire in-depth learning in a particular field, they can undertake an independent research project with a professional mentor after their application is approved. This project typically lasts one semester and can serve as a supplement to regular courses. At the end of the semester, the teacher will grade it, and students can also earn academic credits. Student independent research projects cover areas such as advanced languages, history, drama, literature, religion, and mathematics.

Episcopal High School is a full boarding school, which means the school arranges relatively more group activities on weekends. The school's location is excellent, very close to DC. The school is committed to providing a caring and supportive environment, fostering students' academic achievement, love of learning, and self-discovery. The student body is predominantly white, with a relatively small number of Chinese students. The school offers 35 Advanced and AP courses. Its unique Washington Program utilizes the rich resources of the DC area, such as universities, museums, and research institutes, to provide better guidance and assistance to students interested in business entrepreneurship, public policy, culture and arts, and environmental protection. EHS squash is very famous, even having a dedicated squash center for competitions and practice. Additionally, the school has four climbing teams, two for boys and two for girls.

### Overall Situation:
- Stronger in humanities, with a great variety of elective courses covering a wide range of subjects and topics.
- Utilizes resources from Washington D.C. and surrounding areas to provide students with rich opportunities and excellent teachers. The Washington Program is a particular strength of EHS.

### Academic Advantages/Features:
- Washington Program: Fully leverages the resources of Washington D.C., allowing students to participate in activities across four areas: public policy, sustainability, cultural awareness, and entrepreneurship. 9th graders primarily learn about Washington's political structure, geography, and resources. 10th graders begin to engage with activities in the four areas. 11th graders explore and choose one direction. 12th graders participate in in-depth activities, such as internships.
- GOA (Global Online Academy): Offers many online courses that the school originally did not have, covering a very wide range of subjects.

### Shangxuemingde Student Feedback:
- EHS's English, history, and social sciences are indeed excellent. Taking social sciences as an example, perhaps due to its proximity to Washington D.C., the political and economic courses are very good. They not only integrate with current affairs but also allow students to develop critical thinking skills, viewing complex issues from different perspectives.
- The orchestra is excellent, and the guiding teacher is of national-level caliber.

Bishop High School
Only a 15-minute drive from DC. It is a 100% full boarding school, with a student body predominantly Caucasian and fewer Chinese students. The school prepares students not only for college but also to care for others and become gifted leaders.

School features are as follows:

1. Strong support and high attention for international students: During the pandemic, the school even considered the online class schedules of international students and specially opened evening classes, providing support and adjusted timetables for students in different time zones.

2. Emphasis on cultivating student leadership: Leadership training programs are offered on autumn weekends, providing various roles such as class president, tour guide, and honor council member to enhance students' leadership experience. The Wednesday Service Learning Washington program allows students to meet many national and world leaders, etc.

3. Numerous service projects: Includes the Wednesday Service Learning Washington program; volunteer opportunities for the Special Olympics held on campus in spring; and service trips both domestically and abroad during spring and summer breaks.

4. Focus on art education: Over 75% of students participate in art courses. The school provides a 42,000 sq. ft. arts theater including a 100-seat black box theater, a 540-seat performing arts auditorium, 9 rehearsal rooms, 1 digital photography studio, and a 24-channel digital recording studio.

Very good school!
1. Excellent geographical location, situated in Virginia, while also close to the capital Washington D.C. and the Northeastern New England region of the United States. It boasts rich educational resources and is surrounded by many prestigious universities.
2. Fewer Chinese students, which is beneficial for improving their English proficiency and interacting with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
3. Offers numerous AP and Honors courses, giving students a wide range of choices and preparing them well academically and with credits for university admission.
4. Features a unique "Washington Program" nationwide, which provides an excellent channel for Chinese students to understand the United States.
5. Historically, a significant number of this school's graduates have been admitted to prestigious American universities.

Special Projects
International Exchange Programs: EHS has established exchange programs with schools in Austria, France, and Spain, and has launched a pilot exchange program with Chile. Through these trips, students will increase their cultural awareness and knowledge related to the overall travel theme, while also enhancing self-awareness, self-understanding, and personal responsibility.
Some professional musicians from major national orchestras are part of the faculty. Students can receive personal guidance from these master teachers while in high school.
Episcopal's sports programs are also what most traditional boarding schools would appreciate. The school's squash program is very famous, with even a dedicated squash complex for competition and practice. Another unique sport is rock climbing; it's quite remarkable for a school of over 400 students to have four rock climbing teams, two for boys and two for girls.

The challenges associated with all courses actually vary for students taking different types of classes: for example, honors, advanced, and independent studies courses are more challenging than regular courses. The burden of coursework and homework is also related to the difficulty of the courses taken; generally speaking, the academic requirements are very high and rigorous.
Episcopal's graduation requirements are 4 credits in English, 2-3 credits in (second) foreign language, 3-3.5 credits in mathematics, 2 credits in science, 2 credits in social science, 1 credit in art, 1 credit in theology, and 2-3 credits in physical education. The teaching level of teachers in major subjects is excellent.
The school has a dedicated Academic Learning Center where any student needing academic assistance can seek help from the learning specialists there. At the same time, the school also has a very comprehensive student tutor system, allowing students to help each other with problems in math, science, foreign languages, and writing.
To broaden students' horizons and cultivate their awareness: the school has a Washington Program. Because it is located in Washington D.C., the school does not hold classes every Wednesday afternoon. Teachers lead students to visit various historical and art museums, biological gardens, the Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial, and other places in Washington. Approximately twice a month, they go to the Kennedy Center to attend world-class performances such as musicals and ballets.

Episcopal High School has strict management measures. The school boasts a strong faculty and adopts a small class size education system (an average of 11 students per class). The school's advantage lies in its rich educational and cultural resources, offering students vibrant academic courses and a large number of art classes. Its overall academic performance is good, it has a geographical advantage, making it easier for students to be admitted to UVA.
The gender ratio at the school is very balanced, reaching a 50%:50% equilibrium. Episcopal High School's educational philosophy is also very unique. Episcopal High School hopes students will bravely create and achieve self-realization through practice. The school offers over 140 courses and 75 honors courses.
The school has a special independent study program. This course is specially designed for highly talented children who have conducted in-depth research in certain fields. Because the school's regular courses cannot meet the depth of academic learning required by these children, teachers will conduct more in-depth research and provide support specifically for these students, and may even hire experts for scientific research. In addition, the school collaborates with the Global Online Academy (GOA), a non-profit consortium of the world's leading independent schools. GOA provides EHS students with the opportunity to learn with peers from around the world and test their passions in ways typically not possible on a single campus.