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With Courage We Will...Harness the resources and global connections of Washington, D.C.

We will take full advantage of the School’s proximity to the nation’s capital with unique teaching and experiential learning moments through the McCain-Ravenel Center for Intellectual and Moral Courage.

Established in 2018, the McCain-Ravenel Center for Intellectual and Moral Courage is a vibrant hub of signature programs at EHS that connects students to the world beyond the Episcopal gates with the goal of building good citizens. The Center provides the infrastructure to bring the Portrait of a Graduate qualities to life for every student through integrated programming, experiential learning, and workplace experiences.

Funding to this priority supports:

List of 3 items.

Schoolwide Programming to bring subject-matter experts to campus

Five days each year are designated McCain-Ravenel Days, with unique learning objectives and themes that are tied to the Portrait of a Graduate qualities. On these days, students hear from and engage with experts and industry leaders, and they participate in discussions and exercises that deepen understanding and foster independent and critical thinking.

The Civil Dialogue Project brings together individuals with expertise on timely topics, but who approach these topics from different perspectives and ideological places, and with different opinions. They engage in thoughtful, moderated conversations and field questions from students, exploring common ground and disagreements, and engaging in a civil dialogue for the School to experience.
Experiential Learning to facilitate immersive learning opportunities

Enabling teachers to enhance lesson plans and expand curriculum through Flex Block Experiences, the McCain-Ravenel Center facilitates immersive learning experiences in and around Washington, D.C., and develops connections between learning objectives and real-world opportunities to deepen understanding. Managing logistics, sharing opportunities across disciplines, and designing professional development, the McCain-Ravenel Center fosters academic excellence so that EHS is seen as a national academic leader. The School’s new schedule was designed to allow excursions into the city throughout the week, and faculty take full advantage, making critical connections at just the right time in the lesson. In 2022-23, faculty led more than 600 Flex Block Experiences. Every teacher in every class in every semester led at least one Flex Block Experience.
Externships to provide students with real world work experience

Building on an EHS tradition more than half a century in the making, each May, seniors dive into a month-long Senior Externship, designed around their goals and interests. This important real-world experience hones skills and develops strengths that help students succeed holistically in college and beyond. Seniors work closely with a cohort advisor who serves as a trusted mentor throughout the process. Like they do as part of a Flex Block Experience, students learn content, engage in fascinating opportunities, and work with mentors to reflect on their strengths, challenges, and callings. The seniors demonstrate the courage to mature on a daily basis.

New in 2023 is the Accelerator program, which brings local professionals to campus to help seniors learn about specific sectors and help build awareness of hard skills such as coding, professional writing, web design, and working with big data.

Underclassmen also have the opportunity to apply for an externship as an afternoon option in the fall and spring.