Christian Foundation

As an Episcopal school, we are guided by a faith-based mission to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, and values-based education that nurtures the intellectual, spiritual, and moral growth of students. We strive to foster a diverse, respectful learning environment where all individuals are welcomed and where the dignity and worth of every student are affirmed.

Chapel is the most visible aspect of our Episcopal identity. Age-appropriate Chapel services are first introduced in the spring of PK Two, occuring twice a week. Grades K–8 attend Chapel every day.

Chapel

Chapel is a regular gathering of students, faculty, and often other members of the school community for a service that typically includes prayer, song, readings, and reflection. Grades K–8 attend Chapel services every day.

Chapel is an important part of our shared life at Trinity, gathering as a community each morning to reflect on what it means to be children of God, be good people, act in service to others, and live out our individual faith traditions. We come together to support one another, strengthen our community, and learn about and reflect on how we can become the people God calls us to be.

On our main campus we host a Chapel service for Lower School (grades K–4) and another for Middle School (grades 5–8) every single day! On the Blue House Preschool campus, our youngest learners attend chapel twice a week. About once a month, Lower and Middle Schools combine for a K–8 Chapel to honor important Christian holidays (e.g. Easter), celebrate different cultures (e.g. Diwali), or commemorate milestones of the school year (e.g. start of school).

Chapel Livestream

Chapel is a great way to start the day, and we invite anyone to join us! For those who can't attend in person, we provide a live stream of every service in Jane Hill Chapel. (Unfortunately, you often can't hear students in the crowd on the live stream because they are not mic'd.)

Chaplain

The Rev. Adam C. Varner

Pastor Adam Varner oversees programs related to faith and service at both Trinity Episcopal School and Blue House Preschool. His responsibilities include Chapel services, pastoral care, service learning, and religious studies. Pastor Varner holds a B.A. in History from Yale University and a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago Divinity School. While in Chicago, he served as an associate pastor, vicar, and youth director. Before joining Trinity, he was a chaplain and an instructor of theology at another Episcopal school in Austin for four years. Pastor Varner is a member of the leadership team.

"Service learning" is an important part of our identity as an Episcopal School, keeps us connected with our fellow Austinites, and gives students opportunities to develop as leaders.

Other Aspects of Episcopal Schools

Diverse and Inclusive Environment

Episcopal schools are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where every student is respected and valued. They work to cultivate cultural competence and a deep understanding and appreciation of diversity among students.

Service and Community Engagement

Service learning is a significant aspect of Episcopal education. Even at the preschool level, children may participate in age-appropriate service activities, fostering a sense of community engagement and responsibility.

Social-Emotional Learning

In line with their holistic approach to education, Episcopal preschools emphasize social-emotional learning. They work to develop children's emotional intelligence and social skills, helping them to understand and manage their emotions and to interact effectively with others.

Creative Exploration

Many Episcopal preschools incorporate creative elements into their curriculum, such as music, art, and imaginative play, fostering creativity and artistic expression among students.

Small Class Sizes

Episcopal schools often have small student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for personalized attention and tailored instruction for each student. Our student-teacher ratio is 7:1 for grades K–8 and gets as low as 4:1 for our youngest learners at Blue House Preschool.