Our belief that all people are children of God and citizens of a shrinking world leads us to develop as diverse a community as possible. We seek families of all races, creeds, and economic circumstances, subject only to their ability to take advantage of our program. A growing tuition assistance program, tied by policy to the tuition income, exists to effect economic diversity. We make every effort to ensure that all families feel welcome in the school community. Religious education includes exploring questions of meaning, purpose, and personal identity within the daily life and studies of the boys. Using the Bible and Anglican worship as starting points, we seek to assure literacy in the content and discipline of all major religions, recognizing the limitations of what is age-appropriate and the general sensitivity of the subject. We strive to open minds and hearts to the religious dimension of life, and to discourage uncritical dogmatism. The time we spend regularly in Grace Cathedral, with its soaring spaces and magnificent music, provides the boys with an opportu- nity to come together as a community in a sacred place of great beauty. The spiritual dimension of the school and its program adds immeasurably to the exploration of values, the development of character, and ethical and moral sensibilities. Clergy of many faiths lead worship from time to time. Some 20 or more of the boys sing in the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, receiving a special musical training and religious experience. We are also committed to outreach beyond the tuition assistance program. This commitment is evidenced at present by programs of community service and charitable outreach throughout the entire school community. Finally, we believe that education thrives in a school where parents, teachers, students, and trustees know each other well, communicate comfortably and openly in an environment of mutual respect, and habitually laugh together. We are committed to remaining small in size but large in mind, heart, and spirit. Diversity Statement From Cathedral’s inception in 1957, our school has strived to be an institution that reflected the many neighborhoods of San Francisco. As the school has grown and matured, its definition of what makes a truly diverse community has grown and matured as well. Cathedral welcomes families and students of all races, faith traditions, cultural backgrounds, economic circumstances, and sexual orientations in our community. We greatly value as part of our boys’ educational experience the varying perspectives and learning styles, the richness of culture, the sharing of tradition, and the working through and resolution of conflict that comes from being a truly diverse community. It is through our understanding of others that we come to be at peace with ourselves. It is through our deepening understanding of difference and inclusion that we come to know and appreciate our commonalities. And it is through the sharing of our global perspective and rituals of others that we gain a deeper meaning and purpose. We believe that the School’s curriculum should represent the diversity of our community and give our students an opportunity to open their hearts and minds to a wide range of perspectives on history, culture, literature, and religion. To truly become critical thinkers in a global world, our boys need a strong foundation in the core subjects of mathematics, language arts, science, and technology. However, they also need a foundation in understanding the dynamics of human relationships, the values
4 | CSB 2017–2018 Handbook
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