Purpose and Policies

Purpose

The primary Purpose of The Principia is to serve the Cause of Christian Science.

Policies

1. Principia shall seek to serve the Cause of Christian Science through appropriate channels open to it as an educational institution. 

   
   It shall be made clear that Principia is a private philanthropy and not an official activity of the Christian Science Church.



2. Principia strives to conform its ideals, policies, and practices to the teachings of Christian Science.


3. Principia recognizes that each individual as the child of God reflects the intelligence and strength of our Maker, and that all have equal opportunity and equal ability in the sight of God.

   
   Principia refuses to accept as final any belief of limitation which grants greater capacity to one individual than to another. "Man is spiritual and perfect; and because he is spiritual and perfect, he must be so understood in Christian Science. Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique. He is the compound idea of God, including all right ideas; the generic term for all that reflects God's image and likeness; the conscious identity of being as found in Science, in which man is the reflection of God, or Mind, and therefore is eternal; that which has no separate mind from God; that which has not a single quality underived from Deity; that which possesses no life, intelligence, nor creative power of his own, but reflects spiritually all that belongs to his Maker" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 475:11-22; "man" here is a generic term, including all individuals).



4. Principia is fully devoted to Christian Science as defined by its Pastor.

   
   All faculty, staff, and students are expected to grow in their understanding of their relationship with God and their understanding of the teachings of Christian Science and engage in practices that promote the integrity and spiritual well-being of the Principia community.
   
   Christian Science healing is expected to be considered, respected, and supported. Decisions as to the treatment of specific situations are left to individuals in the community and their families.
   
   Principia gives preference in hiring and admitting individuals to active Christian Scientists. All Trustees, the Chief Executive, Head of School, and College President shall be actively devoted to Christian Science. 



5. Principia is committed to the demonstration of Christian Science. Principia supports members of the student body, faculty, and staff in turning to Christian Science, so that all may gain practical experience utilizing Christian Science in daily living. In obedience to the Church Manual of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, by Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science is not formally taught at Principia.


6. Principia is dedicated to educating its students to think — and to think critically, clearly, rigorously, fearlessly, independently, compassionately, and unselfishly. 

   
   The ability to gather and weigh evidence and to form conclusions that are free from personal influence or selfish considerations is essential to the formulation of sound judgment and to the exercise of constructive citizenship in a democracy. Principia encourages its faculty, staff, and student body to learn by practice and experience — and to test their thinking by reference to divine law as given in the Bible and as interpreted in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy.



7. Principia places emphasis on Principle rather than on person, with authority resting in the office, not the officer. The institution and its community members have the responsibility to eliminate undue personal influence or human will.


8. Divine inspiration and a commitment to educational excellence compel the work at Principia. Principia strives to be aware of and to apply proven best practices. Principia independently and courageously organizes its work and willingly departs from best practices whenever the fact becomes clear that there is a better way of advancing Principia’s Purpose.


9. Principia emphasizes devotion to the democratic way of life and individual dedication to its service, including:

   
   freedom of thought,
   freedom of speech,
   freedom of religious worship, and
   freedom of press.



10. Teaching at Principia emphasizes the point of view that education carries with it the obligation to use skills and knowledge for the betterment of humanity and our world.


11. Principia seeks continuously to improve its facilities, methods, and business practices to keep abreast of educational progress and changing world conditions. Principia makes constant efforts to lift its standards to the highest point that the wisdom and experience of the administration, faculty, and staff — and the financial resources of the institution — permit.


12. Principia’s whole-person education emphasizes the building of character in all its activities.

    
    In the words of Principia Founder Mary Kimball Morgan, "Developing the power to think accurately, wisely, and with intelligent discrimination; cultivating the ability to dissect thought and to discard that which is not constructive in daily living; strengthening the capacity to form high ideals and the courage necessary for standing by those ideals until they are outlined in Christian character — that is the work The Principia regards as true education" (“The Story of Principia,” by Mary Kimball Morgan, The Christian Science Monitor, July 28, 1922).



13. Principia emphasizes that which is direct, simple, natural, and honest. We help each other express mutual respect and our best selves rather than being guided by superficiality, the desire for popularity, blind acceptance of fads, or susceptibility to undue personal influence. Respectful and dignified procedures and traditions consistent with the purpose of Principia’s work should be followed at appropriate times.


14. Principia is an inclusive educational institution and strives to provide all its community members access to opportunities and responsibilities for which they are eligible. The Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students will strive to advance their skills in understanding and supporting all community members. “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals” (Science and Health, p. 13:2-3).


15. Principia is one institution, united by its Purpose and Policies. Each part serves to support the whole. The entire institution commits to a spirit of cooperation in the development of Principia’s educational program, personnel, and policies. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5). 


16. Principia seeks to operate with democratic values, encouraging input and engagement. The fundamental Policies of the institution, established by the Board of Trustees, shall be interpreted by the Chief Executive.


17. Principia seeks to fill every position with the most effective individual available. The success of the work is more important to all concerned than individual tenure. This Policy shall be implemented with wisdom, respect, and compassion. It is not essential that any employee be in full agreement with the administration. Yet it is important that employees cooperate with the administration, be in harmony with the Policies and practices of the institution, and be committed to the success of its Purpose.


18. Principia extends its opportunities to those prepared to take advantage of the experience. All community members are expected to show their desire and readiness to be at Principia through sincere engagement and successful accomplishment.


19. All students are individually responsible for fulfilling their obligations as members of this community. Principia students receive constructive criticism and guidance designed to improve their curricular and co-curricular experiences. Character education is essential to the Principia experience. Guided by Christian Science teachings and educational best practices, Principia’s faculty and staff mentor students to be engaged and spiritually minded global citizens demonstrating love, respect, integrity, humility, fairness, civility, courage, persistence, and spiritual growth.


20. All obligations incurred by or due to Principia should be met promptly and fully. Principia students and employees are expected to meet their obligations honestly and in a timely manner. Business practices at Principia should be based on Principle and guided by the Golden Rule.


21. Any organized activity associated with Principia and carried on in the interests of Principia must exist only as authorized by The Principia Corporation.


22. All Principia activities — curricular, co-curricular, extracurricular, or work-related — must be consistent with the Purpose and Policies of Principia, and community members must abide by published Principia standards.


23. In the spirit of the Sabbath, Principia honors sacred time for spiritual refreshment, reflection, and renewal for individuals, families, and the community.

    
    Be it further RESOLVED that this statement of the Purpose and Policies of The Principia be published as the governing principles for the work of the institution, and, as each of these rules is vital and fundamental to The Principia’s growth and continued well-being, that the Board of Trustees may modify Principia Policies after thirty calendar days’ advance notice and an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Board of Trustees as then constituted.

    TRUSTEES OF THE PRINCIPIA CORPORATION

    October 22, 1944

    Modified November 30, 1962, October 26, 1983, and June 2022–November 2024.

    Link to previous version of Policies.