Episcopal School of Dallas

History

The Episcopal School of Dallas is a coeducational academic community founded in 1974 by Stephen B. Swann and a group of Episcopalian local leaders. The first ESD class was held in 1974 and included eight 7th graders. Today, more than 1,150 students attend ESD, aged Beginner (age 3) through 12th grade, with 400 students in the Upper School (9th – 12th grade). Meredyth M. Cole is the Head of School.

Campus

The campus, which is continuing to expand, contains three major buildings, with a total of 248,000 sq ft (23,000 m²) in facilities. The campus encompasses over 39 acres (160,000 m²). The school's first building, the gymnasium, was built in the late 1970s. Until the main building was in 1981, classes were held in the gym. In 1986, the school had another major expansion, which added a library, publication suite, and fine arts facilities, along with additional classrooms and offices.

The Cook Math and Science Building was completed in 1994 to allow the construction of additional science labs, computer labs, and math classrooms. Daily chapel was moved from the gym to the All Saints Chapel following its completion in 2002. In 2005, another project, the Susan M. Frank Center for Arts and Humanities Building opened, allowing for the construction of additional humanities classrooms, as well as expanded music facilities. In addition, the school also offers a Proscenium and a black box theater, ceramics studio, and a digital imaging suite and darkroom. Additional improvements include a 55,000 sq ft (5,100 m²) humanities building added to the Merrell Road campus, a new stadium and new turf field, and improved locker room facilities. The new stadium also features improved accommodations for fans. The school also acquired an outdoor education center in northern Collin County, spanning spans 165 acres (0.67 km²).

In 2010, the school opened its Stephen B. Swann Athletic and Wellness Center. The building houses Dining Commons, physical education facilities, and additional office space. The building, covering over 100,00 sq.ft., also includes a gymnasium, indoor track, conditioning and workout facilities, a dance studio, and sports medicine facilities. The building was later modified to expand locker rooms and add a team room and athletic offices. The new dining facilities can seat 480 students, and overlook the school's quarry and Louise Crespi Benners Courtyard. The kitchen also houses a laboratory for instruction from nutritional experts and professional chefs, based on guidelines from the Center for Human Nutrition at The University of Texas Southwest Medical Center.

Demographics

ESD has an enrollment of more than 1,100 students and more than 200 faculty and staff members. They have a student-faculty ratio of 7:1. The student population contains a plurality of Episcopalian (30%) and Caucasian students (82%). The school also provides tuition assistance to students through grants.

Controversy

In 2012, the school was found guilty of fraud and negligent behavior for mishandling a 2009 statutory rape. The 34-year-old teacher pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student in the criminal case. Administrators forced the victim to withdraw upon hearing about their relations. The student's parents pressed civil charges against ESD and were awarded $9 million for punitive and compensatory damages from the withdrawal.

Notable alumni