COVER PHOTO: Bishop Ketlen Solak of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh joins St. James students and the Rev. Andrew Keliner, Director of the Servant Year Program and former School Chaplain, in the procession for the all-school Mass. Members of Pittsburgh’s Exploratory Committee were honored to be present for this beautiful weekly celebration—an inspiring close to our visit and a powerful reminder of the shared mission at the heart of our schools.
A few years ago, a small group of volunteers—many of us retired educators—came together around a bold question: Could we establish a tuition-free Episcopal school in Pittsburgh?
As an Exploratory Committee, we began learning about a network within NAES, the Episcopal Urban School Alliance (EUSA). EUSA schools are typically planted in historically under-resourced communities and provide high-quality, holistic education at no cost to families. These schools are sustained by the generosity of donors, in-kind donations, and foundations, and are deeply rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to excellent education.
Learning how these schools transformed students’ lives compelled us to consider what might be possible in Pittsburgh. Attending the NAES Biennial Conference quickly became a priority for our committee, and thanks to the generous support of the EUSA grant, that vision became a reality.
The Biennial Conference was incredible. We participated in thought-provoking sessions on Episcopal identity, culture, and the impact of faith-based education. Just as valuable were the connections we made with school leaders, visionaries, and educators doing this important work. Attending the Annual EUSA meeting for the first time, we heard inspiring stories from those who have founded and sustained tuition-free Episcopal schools. We leave with practical insight, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose.
As a direct result of these connections, we were invited to visit two EUSA schools: Epiphany School in Boston and St. James School in Philadelphia. During our visits, we walked their hallways, met students and teachers, and experienced the daily rhythms of vibrant school communities where joy, belonging, and academic excellence go hand-in-hand. What we experienced affirmed what we had only imagined: this model works. It’s not only possible—it’s already thriving.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity this grant has provided. Our journey continues to unfold in exciting and unexpected ways, shaped by what we learned at the Biennial Conference and by the time spent at both Epiphany and St. James. These experiences were nothing short of inspiring. More visits are on the horizon, and our commitment to this work inches forward.
Gathering for the all-school Mass at St. James—the final moment of our two inspiring campus visits—reminded us why we feel called to this work: not only to offer an excellent education but to live out the promise of our Baptismal Covenant—to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to respect the dignity of every human being. Throughout the Biennial Conference and our school visits, one truth became clear: this work is about community, about possibility, and opening wide doors of belonging. It is both our joy and our responsibility to carry that vision forward in Pittsburgh.
