Welcome to EHS

List of 18 frequently asked questions.

• Where do your students come from?

  Our current student body hails from 28 states, Washington, D.C., 18 countries. The five states most represented in our student body are Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, and Georgia. Episcopal values geographic diversity, and the staff of the Admissions Office travel across the country and to selected international locations looking for talented students.

• What is the boarding to day student ratio?

  Episcopal is 100% residential. All students live on campus in one of our four boys' or four girls' dormitories with faculty and student supervision. At least one faculty apartment is attached to every floor of every dorm, and 83% of EHS faculty live on campus. The benefits of 100% boarding are undeniable. Immersion "24/7" allows our students to develop character, learn to use time wisely, and build strong relationships with their teachers and friends.

• Who will my roommate be?

  All new students are assigned roommates in the same grade. Newly-enrolled students complete a roommate questionnaire, which the admissions office uses to pair new students with their roommates. After the first year, students choose their own roommates and rooms through a lottery system. The majority of students live in double rooms; however, single and triple rooms are also available.

• How much will it cost for my child to attend Episcopal High School?

  The comprehensive fee for the 2024-25 school year is $72,000. This fee includes tuition, room and board, basic health center expenses, and the cost of most school-sponsored academic, athletic, and recreational activities. This fee does not include books and personal expenses, which vary by student. Additionally, Episcopal requires students to have their own laptop computer. Students may bring a laptop of their choosing or purchase a PC or MacBook through the School’s Laptop Purchase Program. The comprehensive fee for the 2025-26 school year will be determined in January 2025.

• Is financial assistance available for new students at EHS?

  Yes. Episcopal urges talented and motivated students to apply for admission regardless of their family’s ability to pay the tuition. The deadline to apply for financial aid for students entering EHS in the fall of 2025 is January 15, 2025. For the 2024-25 school year, approximately 36 percent of the student body received financial assistance. Approximately $8 million in aid is awarded annually, with the average grant equaling about $54,619. Visit Costs and Financial Aid to learn more.

• How will faculty supervise and interact with my child?

  With 83 percent of faculty living on campus and an average classroom size of 11 students, it is impossible to remain anonymous at EHS. Making relationships with faculty that inspire a lifetime of learning and creativity is at the heart of the Episcopal High School experience. Faculty members are dorm parents, coaches, advisors, and mentors. At Episcopal, the classroom is an even playing field and the playing field is also a classroom led by our faculty. The first line of faculty contact for any student or parent is the student’s advisor. The advisor is in regular contact with a student’s parents and teachers, and helps to coordinate and track a student's academic progress, social growth and maturity.

• Will my child receive assistance in his or her college search?

  Yes! Episcopal’s College Counseling Office makes sure that all students are engaged and assisted in their college searches. Three full-time college counselors and one administrative assistant are available to all students regardless of grade level to answer questions as they may arise. During the junior year, students are assigned a college counselor who will work with that student and his or her family for the remainder of the student’s college search. The class of 2022 enrolled in 64 colleges and universities in 26 states, Canada, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom. Visit the College Counseling pages to learn more.

• Does EHS have different academic tracks?

  EHS does not offer different academic tracks. Episcopal offers a broad, challenging, and dynamic curriculum including over 140 courses with 75 Advanced or Honors offerings. Strong core offerings in traditional disciplines create a solid foundation while innovative electives let students hone critical thinking and analytical skills in fields of their choosing. Click to learn more about the academic departments, faculty, and course offerings.

• What are the available resources if my child experiences academic difficulties?

  Teachers and advisors are available to help students with their school work outside of the classroom. Teachers are available for support during office hours at various times throughout the week. Extra help sessions can also occur before or after class, during evening study hall, and on the weekends. Private tutoring and extra study halls are also options for students who need additional support. The Crosland Academic Support Center is available to support students with individual learning needs. Click the link to learn more about academic support.

• What happens at EHS on the weekends?

  The weekends are full of exciting events from Friday afternoon through Sunday. Many students are involved in athletic, artistic, and service learning commitments that include Saturday programming. The school organizes and sponsors several student activities available on and off-campus throughout the weekend. On-campus activities might include DJ dances, concerts by musical groups, dodgeball tournaments, movie screenings, coffee-house style performances by students, yoga classes, and more. Off-campus activities might include trips to various D.C. area locations, professional sports games, performances at the Kennedy Center, off-campus dining, outdoor adventures, and more. Most of these activities are included in tuition and are available at no extra cost. Classes do not meet on Saturdays, so students enjoy a full weekend.

• Does an EHS student have to be a Christian?

  No. EHS welcomes and seeks students from all backgrounds. All students and faculty attend Chapel three times a week to gather as a community for thoughtful, spiritual reflection. On Fridays, individual students and faculty from all faith backgrounds have the opportunity to give informal talks, sharing experiences, viewpoints, or personal revelations in an environment of abiding closeness and trust. The chaplains support students in their own personal spiritual journeys regardless of religious affiliation and play an active role in arranging for students to attend religious services of all faiths off-campus. Learn more about Chapel and spiritual life here.

• What are Episcopal's policies on substance use (drugs, alcohol, vaping, misuse of prescription drugs)?

  Episcopal High School expects students to abide by Virginia laws regarding substance use. EHS believes that students who use these substances are not in a position to thrive at our school and that students who postpone substance use are less likely to develop addictions in the future. Therefore, students who are caught using, possessing, or distributing illegal substances while on campus or while under the School's authority will be dismissed from EHS. The EHS Substance Use Policy can be found in detail in the Student Handbook.

• How does EHS handle security in a major metropolitan area?

  In addition to dorm faculty whose primary focus is student safety, EHS employs a professional security detail on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After 6:30 p.m., access to the campus is limited to one gate that is guarded by security personnel until 6:00 a.m. Students are required to sign out when leaving campus, and they are encouraged to go with a friend when they do so. Every student has access to a 24-hour emergency telephone number that reaches a school administrator by cell phone. A comprehensive emergency response plan is also in effect on the campus.

• What is the dress code at EHS?

  At all times, students are expected to dress in a manner that is neat, clean and respectful. All hair must be neat and clean. All clothing must be clean and in good repair (not torn, frayed, or cut off). All clothing must cover the chest, back, stomach, and undergarments. Clothing should not contain offensive language or images. Hats should not be worn in public indoor spaces, excluding the dormitories.
  
  

  Academic Attire*
  During the academic day, students are asked to dress in a manner that communicates a clear sense of purpose, a respect for the process of learning, and elevates the importance of the academic day. Clothing considered appropriate for the academic day is both professional and functional. Students clothing must respect the standards and academic purpose of the school; therefore, students’ clothing should allow them to participate fully in the daily program and facilitate a positive academic experience. Academic attire must be worn in all public areas of the school from breakfast until the end of the class day. The class day includes Washington Program Experiences, Exam Periods, and Special Speakers & Events.

  
  The following meets the academic attire dress code for girls:
  

  • Dress shirts, blouses, turtlenecks, golf shirts, sweaters/fleeces/layers without
    writing unless it is an Episcopal sweatshirt
  • Casual trousers, including solid color denim style pants
  • Shorts, skirts or dresses that are no more than 4 inches above the knee

  The following meets the academic attire dress code for boys:
  

  • Tucked-in dress shirts with ties, sweaters/fleeces/layers without writing unless it is an Episcopal sweatshirt
  • Casual trousers, including solid colored denim­ style pants
  • Shorts that are no more than four inches above the knee

• What criteria are most important to the Admissions Committee?

  Episcopal seeks to enroll students of strong character. Ideal applicants should demonstrate the intelligence, curiosity, and motivation needed to succeed in our classrooms through their record at their previous schools. Additionally, the Admissions Committee seeks students who have the ability to contribute to the extracurricular life of the School, be it artistically, athletically, or through community service.

• Which standardized tests are required for admission?

  Episcopal High School will continue the test-optional policy for students applying for the fall of 2024.  Those who do not submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the selection process, as we will continue to evaluate each application using a holistic approach that considers students’ achievements and successes in relation to their individual opportunities and challenges.

  
  

  We will continue to accept the SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, and ACT for students who wish to submit scores to be included as an additional item in their file. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Admission Office with any questions.

  
  

  International Applicants 

  Please note: Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the TOEFL (iBT), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. Episcopal's school code for the TOEFL is 8144. Please visit the international application information section of our website for more details about submitting an application as an international student. If the applicant attends an international school or a junior boarding school in the United States, the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test may be waived. Please reach out to our office if you have concerns about your ability to complete standardized testing.

• Are there additional application requirements for international students?

  Please click here for important information for all international students. There is a testing requirement for students for whom English is a second language. Applicants should be reminded, however, that we do not have an English as a Second Language (ESL) program; all applicants must have a strong command of the English language.

• How does EHS take advantage of its location next to the United States capital city?

  Through connections and partnerships forged by Episcopal’s McCain-Ravenel Center for Intellectual and Moral Courage, we create uniquely powerful learning opportunities in and around Washington that are part of every aspect of academic and student life — and are impossible to replicate elsewhere.

  
  With Episcopal’s one-of-a-kind academic schedule, faculty use an extended block in the middle of the day for immersive and interactive learning expeditions aligned directly with their teaching. These real-world connections bring students a closer understanding of each subject. And, because all students live on campus, teachers are able to expand the use of Washington to evenings and weekends, providing our students with unsurpassed opportunities for cultural performances, expert talks, unique learning experiences, and more.
  
  In the spring of senior year, seniors finish their coursework by the beginning of May so that they can engage in a four-week externship in the D.C. area that best aligns with their interests.