National Cathedral School
Encyclopedia
National Cathedral School (NCS) is an independent Episcopal private day school
for girls located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral
in Washington, D.C.
Founded by Phoebe Apperson Hearst
and Bishop Henry Yates Satterlee
in 1900, NCS is the oldest of the institutions constituting the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation
.
NCS has about 560 students in grades 4 through 12. Its mascot is the eagle
. Its brother school, St. Albans
, and the elementary school, Beauvoir, are also located on the 57 acres (230,671 m²) Cathedral Close in Northwest Washington
near the Washington National Cathedral
. Kathleen O'Neill Jamieson is the Head of School. The school motto is Noblesse Oblige ("Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," St. Luke XII, 48).
, and is an Episcopal School, the school holds a mandatory chapel service every Monday, as well as a weekly Friday morning service in the National Cathedral. Graduation is held in the Washington National Cathedral. However, students of various religions attend the school, and the chapel services are generally ecumenical in nature.
The school has charity functions and music and choral performances.
Final Cathedral services for the year include the induction of seniors into the Alumnae Association at the Alumnae Service and a "Senior Service" in which the graduating seniors plan and run the service.
NCS also has two school hymns, one dating back to the beginning of the school, and one for the school's centennial celebration composed by Richard Wayne Dirksen
, former director of the National Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys.
Students from classes 7-12 can serve as acolytes for Friday morning Cathedral services.
NCS students also have the unique opportunity of participating in the Whitechapel Guild to learn traditional change ringing on the Cathedral bells.
Other families who chose the National Cathedral School for their girls are the Roosevelt
s, the Rockefellers, the Firestones (Mary), the Wilsons of Wilson sports, and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
.
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
for girls located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Founded by Phoebe Apperson Hearst
Phoebe Hearst
Phoebe Apperson Hearst was an American philanthropist, feminist and suffragist. She was also the mother of William Randolph Hearst.-Biography:...
and Bishop Henry Yates Satterlee
Henry Yates Satterlee
Henry Yates Satterlee was the first Episcopal Bishop of Washington, serving from 1896 to 1908. He established the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, popularly known as Washington National Cathedral.-Early life:...
in 1900, NCS is the oldest of the institutions constituting the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation
Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation
The Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation was chartered by Congress on January 6, 1893 and oversees the Washington National Cathedral and its sister institutions...
.
NCS has about 560 students in grades 4 through 12. Its mascot is the eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
. Its brother school, St. Albans
St. Albans School (Washington, D.C.)
St. Albans School is an independent college preparatory school for boys in grades 4–12, located in Washington, D.C. The school is named after Saint Alban, traditionally regarded as the first British martyr. Within the St...
, and the elementary school, Beauvoir, are also located on the 57 acres (230,671 m²) Cathedral Close in Northwest Washington
Washington, D.C. (northwest)
Northwest is the northwestern quadrant of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and is located north of the National Mall and west of North Capitol Street...
near the Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
. Kathleen O'Neill Jamieson is the Head of School. The school motto is Noblesse Oblige ("Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," St. Luke XII, 48).
Traditions
As the National Cathedral School is chartered by the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral FoundationProtestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation
The Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation was chartered by Congress on January 6, 1893 and oversees the Washington National Cathedral and its sister institutions...
, and is an Episcopal School, the school holds a mandatory chapel service every Monday, as well as a weekly Friday morning service in the National Cathedral. Graduation is held in the Washington National Cathedral. However, students of various religions attend the school, and the chapel services are generally ecumenical in nature.
The school has charity functions and music and choral performances.
Final Cathedral services for the year include the induction of seniors into the Alumnae Association at the Alumnae Service and a "Senior Service" in which the graduating seniors plan and run the service.
NCS also has two school hymns, one dating back to the beginning of the school, and one for the school's centennial celebration composed by Richard Wayne Dirksen
Richard Wayne Dirksen
Richard Wayne Dirksen was an American musician and composer, who served as Organist and Choirmaster of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., from 1977 to 1988. Previously he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster from 1942 to 1964...
, former director of the National Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys.
Extracurriculars and clubs
Extracurriculars include student government (grades 7-12), two student newspapers, literary publications, the yearbook, and more than 30 different clubs, including the BSU (Black Student Union), Vestry, Chorale, Madrigal Singers, Choristers, and Service Board.Students from classes 7-12 can serve as acolytes for Friday morning Cathedral services.
NCS students also have the unique opportunity of participating in the Whitechapel Guild to learn traditional change ringing on the Cathedral bells.
Notable alumnae
- Judith BarcroftJudith BarcroftJudith Barcroft is an American Broadway and soap opera actress.She began her soap career in 1966 by creating the role of Lenore Moore on Another World, a role she played until 1971...
, actress, All My Children and other soap operas - Beverly ByronBeverly ByronBeverly Barton Butcher Byron , a Democrat, was a U.S. Congresswoman who represented the 6th congressional district of Maryland from January 3, 1979 to January 3, 1993....
, U.S. Congresswoman (D-Md.), 1978–93 - Kate Collins, actress
- Ethel Roosevelt DerbyEthel Roosevelt DerbyEthel Carow Roosevelt Derby was the youngest daughter and fourth child of the President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt...
, daughter of Theodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltTheodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... - Karenna Gore SchiffKarenna Gore SchiffKarenna Aitcheson Gore Schiff is an American author, journalist, and attorney. She is the eldest daughter of Al and Tipper Gore and the sister of Kristin Gore.-Background and family:...
'91 - Kristin GoreKristin GoreKristin Carlson Gore is an American author and screenwriter. She is the second daughter of Al and Tipper Gore and the sister of Karenna Gore Schiff, Sarah and Albert III.-Background:...
'95 - Sarah GoreAl GoreAlbert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
'97 - Lynda Bird Johnson RobbLynda Bird Johnson RobbLynda Bird Johnson Robb is the elder of the two daughters of United States President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird Johnson...
and Luci Baines JohnsonLuci Baines JohnsonLuci Baines Johnson Turpin, formerly Nugent, is the younger daughter of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson and his wife, the former Claudia Alta Taylor . Her name was originally spelled "Lucy"; she informally changed the spelling in her teens...
, daughters of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson - Heather LangenkampHeather LangenkampHeather Langenkamp is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role as Nancy Thompson from the A Nightmare on Elm Street films...
, actress - Queen Noor of Jordan, née Lisa Halaby
- Maya MacGuineasMaya MacGuineasMaya MacGuineas is the President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget -- a bipartisan, non-profit organization in the United States committed to educating the public about issues that have significant fiscal policy impact...
- Susan E. RiceSusan E. RiceSusan Elizabeth Rice is an American diplomat, former think tank fellow, and civil servant. She is an American foreign policy advisor and United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Rice served on the staff of the National Security Council and as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs...
, United States Ambassador to the United NationsUnited States Ambassador to the United NationsThe United States Ambassador to the United Nations is the leader of the U.S. delegation, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. The position is more formally known as the "Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador...
; former foreign policy advisor to Democratic Presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
(D.-IL); former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs - Stephanie Ready, Professional and College Basketball broadcaster; First-ever female to coach men's professional basketball (in the US)
- Caroline ThompsonCaroline ThompsonCaroline Thompson is an American novelist, screenwriter, film director, and producer. She wrote the screenplays for Tim Burton's films Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Corpse Bride...
, screenwriter, Edward ScissorhandsEdward ScissorhandsEdward Scissorhands is a 1990 romantic fantasy film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. The film shows the story of an artificial man named Edward, an unfinished creation, who has scissors for hands. Edward is taken in by a suburban family and falls in love with their teenage daughter... - Esther BrimmerEsther BrimmerEsther Brimmer is an American foreign policy expert and current Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.-Education:...
, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization AffairsAssistant Secretary of State for International Organization AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs is the head of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs within the American Department of State that creates and executes policy in international organizations such as the United Nations...
Other families who chose the National Cathedral School for their girls are the Roosevelt
Roosevelt family
In heraldry, canting arms are a visual or pictorial play on a surname, and were and still are a popular practice. It would be common to find roses, then, in arms of many Roosevelt families, even unrelated ones...
s, the Rockefellers, the Firestones (Mary), the Wilsons of Wilson sports, and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Korbelová Albright is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99–0...
.