At East Hills Academy, our core values are our guiding star. They inform everything we do, grounding us in the most essential elements of our mission and culture. These principles apply universally to staff, students, parents, and all of our programming. They are the foundation upon which our community is built.
Before we ever discuss curriculum, assessments, or programs, we begin with Relationships first. We believe that intentional connection is the first step to learning. We see children as human beings before we see them as students. We see teachers as people before we see them as employees. We acknowledge the infinite value, worth, and dignity of every individual simply by virtue of their humanity, not for what they can produce or provide. To honor this, we intentionally set aside time in each homeroom to cultivate meaningful teacher-student and peer relationships, just as we dedicate time for our staff to connect with one another. In an increasingly fragmented, digital world where many feel a lack of connectedness and belonging, prioritizing relationships allows us to truly know and care for one another. Within our small school and intentionally small class sizes, we have built a structure where relationships can thrive.
As we have previously discussed, growth in character is just as important as academic instruction, so our second core value is Integrity. We provide students with a rich vocabulary of timeless, universally accepted virtues, woven naturally into our stories, our classroom discussions, and our approach to discipline. However, this effort is all for naught if we, the adults in the building, do not model that same high character for students. We hold our staff to the highest expectations of integrity. While we can never force a student to make the right choice, part of our mission is to “kindle a love of virtue.” It is our hope that we inspire students to develop good habits, treat all people with respect, be honest, embrace responsibility, and do the right thing when no one is watching or when the wrong choice is easier.
In an increasingly individualistic and consumeristic culture, it is easy to turn our gaze inward. Yet, as citizens, it is imperative that we train our future leaders to look outward and be mindful of others. The heart of leadership is serving others, which is why our third core value is Service. This is why our school administration is dedicated to the welfare of our teachers, serving them for their good. In turn, our teachers are dedicated to what’s best for our students, serving them for their good. By seeing the example of the adults around them, students will learn the value of serving others. They are encouraged to serve and are celebrated when they do.
Our final core value, which elevates and animates all the rest, is Excellence. In our educational philosophy, excellence is not perfection or high grades; it is a cultivated habit of mind and character. It means bringing our best effort to every endeavor. If we approach our relationships with excellence, we listen. If we practice integrity with excellence, we remain steadfast in difficult times. If we approach our service with excellence, we give of ourselves cheerfully, without seeking recognition. We hold our students to a high standard because we know their potential.
At East Hills Academy, students are continually invited to R.I.S.E. to the occasion as they develop a deep understanding of our world and their place in it.