The 2026 year is when Episcopal School of Jacksonville proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary—a milestone that honors a remarkable journey of growth, faith, and educational excellence. What began as a vision to create a rigorous college-preparatory school grounded in Episcopal values has blossomed into a vibrant, multi-campus institution that now serves students from age one through grade 12.

The founding of the Munnerlyn Campus on March 21, 1966 under the leadership of The Rev. Dr. Robert Ray Parks, then Dean of St. John’s Cathedral, on land given to the Cathedral by Mary Packer Cummings, marked the school’s humble beginnings, which were rooted in the Episcopal tradition of nurturing both intellect and character. Over the decades, the school has evolved to meet the needs of its growing community while remaining true to its mission of developing well-rounded students who lead lives of purpose and integrity.

Integral to this growth has been the inclusion of the Beaches Campus and the St. Mark’s Campus—both with rich histories of their own. The Beaches Campus, originally founded as St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Day School in 1957 by The Rev. Dr. Robert Ray Parks (Rector of St. Paul’s Church at the time), brought a deep tradition of community-based learning and early childhood education. Its integration into Episcopal broadened the school’s reach and strengthened its commitment to nurturing students from the earliest stages of development.

Similarly, the St. Mark’s Campus, originally known as St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School, was founded in 1970, by The Rev. Robert Clingman and The Rev. Barnum McCarty. This beloved institution in the Ortega neighborhood became renowned for its joyful learning environment and deep community roots. Its addition to ESJ brought not only new families into the Episcopal fold but also decades of pedagogical experience in early childhood and elementary education.

The many Founders, faculty, clergy, and volunteers who helped to establish the three schools could not have envisioned how the world would change over the next 60 years. In 2020-2021 the three campuses merged to form one school, age one through grade 12.

Today, Episcopal stands as a united community across three campuses, educating more than 1,500 students. As we reflect on 60 years of academic distinction, spiritual growth, and service to others, we also look ahead—to a future that honors our past while embracing innovation and opportunity as a three campus school.

Episcopal’s 60th anniversary is more than a celebration of longevity—it is a testament to the enduring power of faith, learning, and community. Here’s to the next 60 years of educating “leaders and doers of good” as our Founders envisioned from the beginning.