Amplify Austin 2015: The Little School That Can

As the launch of Amplify Austin nears, a few of us in Chronicleland would like to share some favorite causes and Austin nonprofits. First up is Jessi Cape.

ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

I don't always stump for preschools but when I do (here, now), it's with all my heart, from the mountaintops.

Our family struck gold when we discovered St. James' Episcopal School on Webberville Road three years ago, and their participation in Amplify Austin's marathon donation drive could be the bridge to a treasured preschool experience for others. Since 1941, the SJES arms have stayed wide open to “all kinds of families,” and the diversity pairs with a dedication to inclusive curriculum and special extras like extended hours, a free breakfast, lunch, and snack program, and creative cultural classes for the littles.

Interim Head of School Lora Dever explains, “St. James' was founded by individuals who believed that access to a quality education was the single greatest factor in interrupting the cycle of poverty and setting students up for success in school and in life. We talk about social justice a lot at our school.”

St. James' operates under the revolutionary premise that “every child deserves to have access to excellent early childhood education and should be able to attend a program right in their own neighborhood,” says Dever. Currently, 50% of SJES students receive some kind of tuition assistance and many might not otherwise be able to have a pre-K experience. To accomplish this, the school raises money through a variety of events and means, but Dever believes “Amplify is an incredible way for supporters to help us out, whether they have a little or a lot to give.” One of a dozen schools located in underserved communities, such as their 78721 zip code, “recognized by the Success by 6 United Way program,” Dever also explains, “We have a lot of families who don't qualify for childcare assistance through programs like Workforce or through AISD because they make just a few dollars over the limit, or don't work enough hours to qualify for the programs. We're able to offer scholarships to these families and give them that option.”

Amplify's special bonus prizes – like those for most unique donors or most donations in a time block – are very exciting, and to take advantage, St. James' will have a power hour, 8-9pm on March 5. “We're small but mighty – and if every one of our students' parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles, next door neighbors, bosses and coworkers, and a few of their best friends gave, no matter how much from each – and gave during the same hour – we can receive $1,000 just from that alone.” Every dollar counts when it comes to making early education accessible to all. 

Dever passionately adds, “I always think about our moms and dads holding their newborns, that all too soon get just big enough to toddle from their parents' arms and into ours – and the trust that those families place in us. They rely on us to love and guide their children as they would, to help teach them what they need to know about being a good person, and to give them the skills that set them up for academic success.” I second that emotion.

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Stay tuned to our Amplify Austin 2015 series at austinchronicle.com/daily for developing details on all things Amp'd.