Mission & Core Values

Mission Statement

The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine – an independent K-8 school rooted in the Episcopal tradition – educates students to become articulate, confident, and responsible citizens of the world through rigorous academics, innovative approaches to learning, and the nurturing of their aspirations in a diverse community of all faiths.

Amended and approved by the Cathedral School Board of Trustees, June 3, 2019

The Mission Enacted: The School’s Core Values

The Cathedral School is committed to academic excellence in a curriculum that integrates critical thinking, the arts, athletics, and leadership development. The School believes that the recognition and appreciation of differences in race, socioeconomic status, cultural or religious tradition, age, gender, ability, or sexual orientation enhance the individual's sense of identity and broaden respect for others. Through curriculum and informal school experiences, students at The Cathedral School come to understand the inherent value of all people and the importance of working towards equity in all that they do.
 
The School’s mission is brought to life on the idyllic 11-acre campus of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights on Manhattan’s Upper West Side through seven Core Values:

List of 7 items.

  • Cooperation

    Cooperation means working together in harmony for a common purpose. At Cathedral, we support one another and share responsibility for the care of our community and the school environment. In doing so, we establish an atmosphere where community members get along with one another in order to learn, create, and grow.

  • Courage

    Courage is the ability and willingness to face challenges without retreating. At Cathedral, we develop the mental, moral, and spiritual strength needed to act confidently, take risks, and advocate for ourselves and other people.

  • Integrity

    Integrity means decency, sincerity, and honor. At Cathedral, we act with honesty and empower others to do so, thereby fostering a community that upholds the dignity of each of its members.

  • Kindness

    Kindness is making a conscious effort to be friendly, generous, and compassionate. At Cathedral, we are considerate in our actions, mindful of our words, and courteous in our tone of voice so that we can be our best and treat others the way they want to be treated.

  • Passion for Learning

    Passion for learning means constantly striving to better understand ourselves and the world. At Cathedral, we inspire active and ongoing inquiry, dialogue, and critical thought in order to pursue our interests and talents while exploring things that are challenging for us in order to grow.

  • Respect

    Respect means a willingness to listen to the viewpoints of others in order to understand their perspectives, even when the ideas do not align with our own. At Cathedral, we care for and support our community, our environment, each other, and ourselves, and we recognize that understanding the experiences of others helps us to grow/mature as individuals and equips us to be positive agents of change in the world.
  • Responsibility

    Responsibility is to take ownership of our actions. At Cathedral, we demonstrate personal responsibility, make good academic choices, exhibit good sportspersonship, and strive continually for excellence.

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