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I am a student: a mind open to direction, a heart open to others, a soul open to searching. - ESD Manifesto

500 plus leadership opportunities for ESD students
over 17,420 community service hours were completed by the class of 2022
100 percent of students attend daily chapel

Extracurricular and Leadership Opportunities

The ESD Experience

Student Traditions

One of ESD’s oldest traditions, Pass It On, was started by Father Swann in the spring of 1976 to symbolize eighth-graders leaving the middle school.

Each May, the senior class welcomes the rising freshmen into the upper school by passing a light, “the spirit of ESD,” to these students.

Football players rush onto the field under the Friday Night Lights on homecoming night.

A good old-fashioned game of Texas football brings the entire community together under Friday night lights every fall. And one of the most eventful traditions associated with football is our annual Homecoming Week. 

Homecoming Week is celebrated by all divisions, and even alumni! Throughout the week, each day has a different dress theme provided by Student Council. The week culminates in the Homecoming football game and, hopefully, a win for our Eagles!

At the beginning of each school year, students from the senior class are paired up with fifth graders for different events throughout the school year.

This fun tradition is a long-standing one at ESD that students look forward to every year and encourages upper and middle school engagement. The buddies participate in community service, holiday celebrations, themed days, and more.

Middle school students sign the Code of Conduct.

At the beginning of each year students of all divisions, as well as faculty and staff, sign our school's Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is a pledge to live with Honor, Respect, and Integrity, three highly valued principles at ESD.

By signing the Code of Conduct, each student commits to uphold the ESD Academic Pledge: "On my honor, I promise that I will not lie, steal, or cheat. I will abide by, respect, and support this Academic Pledge as a member of the Episcopal School of Dallas."

A student speaks at ESD's annual Lessons and Carols event.

The time-honored ESD tradition of Lessons and Carols has been a holiday staple since 1980. This event brings together students in grades 5-12, with all members of the ESD community invited to attend.

With performances from choir, band, and orchestra, as well as speakers from all grade levels, it is a joyous celebration of the season.

Rising seniors celebrate their academic accomplishments thus far by receiving a ring designed by ESD’s founder, Father Swann.

This ring was inspired by one given to him when the school left the St. Michael & All Angels Church. The ring bears the school shield which features three crosses, representing the values of religion, sound learning, and self-discipline.

The senior class celebrates the birthdays of its students quarterly with Rally Days. This tradition includes a theme, food, fun activities and more. Rally Day themes can range from decade days to Winter Wonderland, and the student costumes are always on point!

ESD students look forward to celebrating this long-standing tradition during their senior year and look it as a privilege as the eldest students on campus.

A lower school student celebrates Grandparents and Grandfriends day by showing off her artwork.

We set aside a day to give thanks to grandparents and grandfriends who have such an impact in our students' lives. 

Grandparents are invited to campus to spend a day with their grandchild and get a glimpse into their day-to-day life. 

Each May, the junior class celebrates the official transition into their senior year by receiving and donning their blue and yellow shirts, a special uniform privilege given to the senior class.

Blue and Yellow Shirt Day, as it has affectionately become known, marks the beginning of their role as the eldest on campus and symbolizes the leadership and responsibilities they will take on as seniors.

Eagles in Action