Facts about Canterbury

Enrollment: Canterbury is a coeducational, independent Episcopal day school. Long-range plans anticipate an enrollment of around 400 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Canterbury does not plan to have a high school. Average class size for K-5th is 21 students. Average class size for 6th – 8th is 18 students. The projected enrollment for 2007-08 is 360 students.
Diversity: Canterbury seeks diversity in its student body and staff. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered policies.
Governance: An independent Board of Trustees responsible for the school’s broad policy governs Canterbury. The Head of School is responsible for the day-to-day operations, including admissions, hiring and evaluation of staff, curriculum, and financial administration.
Accreditation & Church Affiliation: Canterbury is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. The school is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools as well as other organizations.
Financial support of Canterbury School:: Canterbury School depends on gifts to the Annual Fund to help bridge the gap between tuition costs and the actual cost of a Canterbury education. Contributions help supplement the school’s budget, providing 10% of the annual operating fund.; Founded in 1993, Canterbury remains focused on completing the school’s campus master plan, as well as securing its financial foundations. Therefore, Canterbury has been engaged in two successful capital fundraisers and launched its third capital campaign, Ensuring Educational Excellence, in the spring of 2005.
Financial assistance: Canterbury is dedicated to the principle that qualified students should be able to attend the school regardless of ability to pay. Therefore, Canterbury sets aside a pool of funds from its operating income to provide grants ranging up to 90% of tuition and fees per child. These grants are awarded on a need basis. For the 2006-07 year, the $428,479 was awarded to 19% of the student body. Families in need of information regarding the financial assistance process should contact the Director of Admission or the Head of School.
Admission procedures: Admission to Canterbury requires a completed application with a non-refundable fee of $50. In addition, a teacher evaluation and school records are requested from each applicant’s current school.
Spiritual life: Chapel is held at least three times a week. Worship is rooted in the Episcopal tradition of Christianity, but seeks to respect the faith perspectives of all who are present. The spiritual development program is based on the premise that all children have a spiritual part of their being which we encourage them to explore through the use of the Old and New Testaments, literature, and other resources. A key component of the spiritual dimension of Canterbury is the Service Learning program for all students. Individual pastoral care is available to students upon request.
Head of School: Burns Jones is Head of School.
Faculty: Teachers at Canterbury are selected for their knowledge of curriculum, professionalism, and desire to be involved positively in the lives of children. Canterbury’s faculty has an average of twelve years teaching experience. Over half of the faculty hold advanced degrees.
Curriculum: The curriculum seeks to develop essential skills within a whole child philosophy. It includes reading and language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign languages, art, music, computer, physical education, health, and spiritual development.
Behavior expectations: The philosophy of Canterbury is to develop self-discipline and self-confidence in every student. School-wide rules, guided by our Behavior Expectation Policy, are simple and students are commended for positive behavior. Middle school students adhere to an Honor Code that focuses on personal and academic integrity. Disciplinary action, when necessary, is administered in a fair, uniform, and consistent manner.
Conferences: Teachers confer with the parents of each student each year in the fall. Additional conferences are initiated as needed by teachers or parents. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher when they have concerns or questions.
Hours: Students arrive between 7:45 am and 8:00 am each day, and leave at 3:15 pm. There is early morning drop-off beginning at 7:30 am and an extended day program (for which there is an additional charge) until 6:00 pm for Canterbury students.
Campus: Canterbury School is located on Old Lake Jeanette Road between North Elm and North Church Streets on approximately 42 acres of land. In addition to the Kelly Bell Tower (2004), the campus has five permanent buildings: Ketner Center (1997), Armfield Hall (1999), Phillips Chapel (2003), Fry Hall (2003), and Berry Hall (2005).
Outdoor Education Center: In Canterbury’s Outdoor Center, students and teachers work together in ways that demonstrate that vital learning may take place outside the traditional classroom. On-site facilities include low and high ropes elements, a climbing wall, a pond for water activities, and a nature and fitness trail. With the help of trained and certified outdoor educators, K-8 students use these program elements to learn to identify and master skill sets such as cooperation, collaboration, teamwork, listening, self-awareness, goal setting, and fun.