A Legacy of Character: The Barton Family Invests in the ESD Endowment
The Barton Family
February 9, 2026
The Episcopal School of Dallas is proud to announce a generous unrestricted gift to its permanent endowment from Sylvia and Mark Barton. Guided by the dual principles of “permanence and flexibility,” the family established The Barton Family Endowment Fund to ensure that ESD’s mission—centered on academic excellence and character formation—endures for generations.
“We firmly believe that the school’s role in our daughter’s life extends far beyond the curriculum,” say Sylvia and Mark. “A hallmark of the ESD experience is the emphasis on character building within a cohesive community where students can thrive. We contributed to the endowment to help ensure the school has the enduring resources necessary to sustain this vital purpose."
By designating their gift as unrestricted, the Bartons allow ESD the agility to address its most pressing needs. Resources generated by their endowment will serve ESD in its long-term strategic planning, whether by supporting world-class faculty, driving technological innovation, or enhancing the campus environment.
"If you are passionate about maintaining excellence and a strong sense of community, this is a truly impactful way to do it,” Mark and Sylvia affirm. “There is no time like the present to invest in ESD’s future."
The couple hopes their commitment inspires others to consider their own long-term impact on the school. Supporting endowment is more than a gift - it is a promise - to ensure the "ESD experience" remains vibrant, stable, and transformative for years to come.
