From its earliest days Kinkaid has emphasized both academic attainment and character development. Margaret Kinkaid encouraged her students to seek honor as well as achievement, and she described her ideal student as "the intellectually capable boy or girl of sound character whose talents, interests, and uniqueness are educational assets for other Kinkaid children."​ Today's Kinkaid remains faithful to its founder's calling, valuing its students for their potential, as well as their achievement, and striving always for their balanced growth-intellectual, physical, social, and ethical. The primary goals of Kinkaid are intellectual endeavor and achievement. The School also believes that a well-rounded education includes experiences in the arts, athletics, and a variety of extra-curricular activities. Kinkaid further believes that every student is and will continue to be part of a community and, therefore, seeks to strengthen his or her moral responsibility and service to it. To that end, the School actively promotes honesty, respect, responsibility, and kindness. Kinkaid also believes that participation of parents in their children's education is essential to accomplishing its mission. The School makes every attempt to inform them of the School's purposes and goals, and expects their strong support in the pursuit of these aims.