St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s was founded in 1950 by The Reverend Mother Ruth and the
Sisters of the Community of the Holy Spirit, an Episcopal religious order for women in
Morningside Heights, New York City.
St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s is an independent, Episcopal day school. The school is
co-educational and includes beginners through grade 8. As an Episcopal school, we are
committed to nurturing the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Religious and ethical
formation are therefore important components. We strive to create an educational
community that reflects unity in diversity: a unity of purpose and shared values among a
population diverse in race, culture, and religious beliefs. The rich variety of gifts within
the school community, provided by the different backgrounds of students, faculty, and
parents, prepares students to understand and contribute to a diverse, changing world.
Our philosophy of education is rooted in the values of the Judeo-Christian humanist
tradition. We believe that all creation is sacred; each member of the school community
is respected as a unique individual. We recognize the different ways in which students
learn and acknowledge their developmental differences. Our teachers provide flexibility
within the classroom structure so that students can both achieve their potential and
meet our academic expectations.
Our belief in the sacredness of creation is also taught through a traditional liberal arts
curriculum, which encourages in students a respect for nature and human achievement,
as well as a love of art, music, drama, and athletics. Religious knowledge classes and
daily worship create an environment in which the developing child may find satisfying
ways of defining his or her spiritual identity and creative gifts. Formal Chapel services
are conducted in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer. Students learn to define
themselves as unique sources of creativity and to value their contributions to the
well-being of the group. The delight students discover in sharing their own gifts within
the school community prepares them for serving in the world.
