September 7, 2010
by Bob Kinney

St. James' Episcopal School third-year student Imani becomes very upset if she arrives to school late because she feels the tardiness will "interrupt her work," reports her mother Brook Davis.

Entering her kindergarten year at St. James,' a ministry of its namesake church in East Austin, Imani is among a truly diverse group of three- to five-year-old children who are blossoming within the school's unique blend of strong Montessori-based learning with a Christian perspective that emphasizes kindness.

When the school began its 14th academic year in late August, 27 different Austin area zip codes were represented among its 70 students. The school's racial mix is wide, as is the economic diversity of its students' families. Forty percent enrolled with generous financial aid. Working parents appreciate the school's full-day program.

Unlike many other church pre-schools, St. James' was founded by a group of visionary Episcopalians to reach out into the wider Austin community while truly embracing diversity – racial, economic and cultural.

"Several dedicated people from many Episcopal churches in Austin began work in mid-1993 to open a school in East Austin," said Judith Rhedin, one of the school's founders and a St. James' parishioner.

"We visited with many congregations and Texas diocesan bishops to garner financial support for the school. A cornerstone of our efforts was securing money to ensure substantial financial aid," said Rhedin, current vice president of the school's board of trustees and assistant director of campus and community engagement for the Performing Arts Center at the University of Texas.

A number of local Episcopal parishes continue to support St. James.' Most of the school's donors do not have children enrolled there.

"I have grown into and been enriched within this wonderful family," said Diana Garcia, one of three Montessori-certified guides, who came to St. James' seven years ago after 11 years at Austin Montessori School.

When Garcia first taught at St. James' School, it was housed within the church's former location on Martin Luther King Boulevard in East Austin. Space was tight. The classrooms had to be emptied every Friday afternoon to allow for Sunday church services and then reassembled for classes Monday morning.

Ground was broken in 2006 for the school's new campus about one mile east of its former site and construction was completed within a year without debt.

The brightly multi-colored buildings are spacious and child-friendly with low windows and age-appropriate desks, chairs and bathrooms. Classrooms are adorned with a myriad of fanciful student artwork. The five buildings circle an impressive play area complete with innovative playground equipment and ringed by a wide and winding sidewalk for tricycle rides.

Students attend a chapel service daily. Once a week the children have a class with a local musician who presents a fun, interactive program of music. The students also have capoeira, an energetic African-Brazilian form of artful calisthenics.

"It is wonderful to see the children bloom during their three years here – it's an explosion of awareness," said Anna Kago, another Montessori-certified guide, who came to Austin from Kenya when her husband the Rev. Peter Kago enrolled at the Episcopal seminary for a year of study 11 years ago.

"The diversity of the students here mirrors the world as it is. It is also very satisfying to teach about God and the wonder of creation," she said.

"Our goal is to provide the highest quality early childhood education to a truly diverse group of students," said Ellen Jockusch, who is beginning her first year as interim head of school after directing lay education degree programs at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest and working within the University of Texas Plan II Honors Program.

"Ellen is a real gift to St. James,'" said Jane Hill, a member of the school's board of trustees and church parishioner.

"When our board interviewed her for the head of school position, Ellen literally lit up the room with her faith-based dedication to childhood education," said Hill, who was the founding head of Trinity Episcopal School in Austin and a consultant to the Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools before her retirement. St. James' is SAES accredited.

"St. James' provides a nurturing educational experience to help our students develop their unique skills and talents. This joyful excitement of discovery leads to a lifelong love of learning," said Kent Burress, school board president, organist at St. James' Church and CEO of the Ronald McDonald House in Austin.

"The St. James' faculty and staff exemplify true professionalism, competency and accountability toward each child and parent," said Victor Winston, father of twins Alexis and Alex. The decision by Mary and Victor to enroll the twins at St. James' was, he said, "one of the best parenting decisions we have made."

Episcopal News Service
Texas Episcopalian