At St. James Episcopal Day School, we believe growth is about so much more than getting older or moving on to the next grade. True growth is about becoming—becoming more curious, more confident, more compassionate, more connected, and more fully the people God created us to be.
That belief inspired our faculty theme for the 2026–2027 school year: Growing with Purpose.
“Growth is at the heart of what happens at St. James every day,” Head of School Bridget Henderson shared as she introduced the theme to faculty. “Our children are growing as learners, friends, leaders, and people of faith. At the same time, we are growing as educators and as a school community.”
Modeling a Growth Mindset
In an elementary school environment, a growth mindset is especially important. These formative years are when children begin to understand that learning is not about knowing everything immediately. It is about asking questions, trying new things, working through challenges, learning from mistakes, and recognizing that effort and perseverance help us improve.
When children believe their abilities can grow, they become more willing to take healthy risks. They begin to see a difficult assignment as an opportunity instead of a limitation. “I can’t do this” becomes “I can’t do this yet.” That small word can make a powerful difference in a child’s confidence and willingness to keep trying.
To nurture that mindset authentically, our faculty must be willing to model it. During the introduction of this year’s theme, each faculty member identified an area in which they would like to grow personally or professionally. They wrote their intentions on leaves that became part of a plant gifted to each teacher.
These plants serve as simple, visible reminders that growth belongs to all of us. Our teachers are accomplished professionals, but they are also lifelong learners who continue to stretch, reflect, and become. By allowing students to see that process, they demonstrate that learning does not end when we reach adulthood—and that none of us is ever finished growing.
Choosing to Grow Intentionally
The second part of our theme is equally important: with purpose.
Growth does not simply happen around us or to us. We can be thoughtful about the kind of people we are becoming and intentional about the community we are creating. We can choose to grow in ways that reflect our values, strengthen our relationships, deepen our faith, and help us better serve others.
Throughout the year, our faculty and students will explore many dimensions of purposeful growth, including growing in wonder, friendship, belonging, grace, and more. Each new focus will offer an opportunity to pause and reflect:
How are we growing? What are we learning from the process? How can that growth benefit others? And why does it matter?
These questions connect naturally to the St. James mission to Love. Learn. Lead. We grow in love as we practice empathy and compassion. We grow as learners when we remain curious and persevere through challenges. We grow as leaders when we use our gifts purposefully and encourage others along the way.
Growing Together
No two people grow in exactly the same way or at the same pace. Some growth is easy to see—a new skill mastered, a friendship formed, a confident voice emerging. Other growth happens quietly through small choices, patient practice, faithful reflection, and the courage to try again.
At St. James, we have the privilege of witnessing all of it. We celebrate not only where our students are today but also who they are becoming. We recognize that teachers, families, and classmates all play an important role in encouraging that process.
As a community rooted in faith, we also trust that God is present in every season of growth—guiding us, strengthening us, and using our experiences to shape us for a purpose.
This year, we are not simply growing. Together, we are Growing with Purpose.