Saint John’s Preparatory School exists to inspire students to great achievements and self-understanding by involving them in a premiere liberal arts curriculum focused on Academic Rigor and Spiritual Growth within a Benedictine Environment.

Students are the reason Saint John’s Preparatory School exists. Our mission and all of our planning put them in all ways at the center of importance.

Saint John’s Prep touches the lives of young people during their most critical years of schooling, when personal identity, values, character, ethics, and lifestyle are all coming into maturity. Accelerated intellectual, physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and moral growth is occurring. To enter this learning community, a person must commit to becoming a strong, functioning member of the school community. Saint Benedict, the master of what it takes to form a community, and to live it, is our guide. The best in educational theory and the latest in brain research are the basis for our innovative programming.

Our curriculum challenges students to be engaged in the full scope of the liberal arts, to think creatively and critically, to communicate effectively. We cultivate the willingness to broaden horizons, to try the previously untried, to develop inter-relationship skills, and to instill the courage to act responsibly.

Our students learn to appreciate that knowledge is much more than remembering facts; it includes understanding societies, cultures, institutions, and self. They are introduced to the need for continuous learning and taking responsibility for their own lives.

Core Values

“THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED” RB 57:9

COMMUNITY

Our school is community, providing hospitality and demonstrating citizenship. Life together in this place is built on trust, love, respect and a genuine interest and concern for one another, which includes welcoming, helping, listening, caring and being present to others. Learning is a communal activity of students, teachers, parents, alumni/ae, friends, board. We embrace the opportunity to work for the common good of the larger community, one that reflects the broad diversity of the real world. “The workshop where we are to toil faithfully at all these tasks is the enclosure of the monastery and stability in the community.” (RB 4:78) Faithful citizenship in this community includes not only rights and privileges – it also includes obligations to the individual citizens, to the Prep School community, and to society. “If the visiting monk wishes to remain and bind himself to stability…, let him be received as a member of the community.” (RB 61:5, 8)

INTEGRITY

Being true to God and true to self. Truth, justice, sincerity, morality are its hallmarks both individually and communally. Community members strive to integrate the qualities of trust, respect, and civility into their actions, which in turn transform their innermost beings. “That a monk always manifest humility in his bearing, no less than in his heart.” (RB 7:62) Saint Benedict when speaking of the Abbot says, “he must point out to them all that is good and holy, more by example than by words…, if he teaches his disciples that something is not to be done, then neither must he do it.” (RB 2:12, 13)

EXCELLENCE

A commitment to quality. Quality faculty, curriculum, programming, facilities, equipment urge each person, each department, the whole school to seize every moment for doing their very best . Enthusiastically educating and being educated; inspired and inspiring. Learning opens our eyes to what is possible, so that we can better strive for the highest standards of performance. “Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to God most earnestly to bring it to perfection.” (RB Prol:4)

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Teaching sound principles for our students to live by.

• Weekly prayer service or Celebration of Mass
• Community Formation Colloquiums
• Peer Ministry and Service Program
• Benedictine Presence
• Theology Classes

ACADEMIC RIGOR

The curriculum is designed to challenge and engage students to reach their fullest potential. The school provides parents with monthly progress reports and grades and daily emails on school events. Guidance counselors are available for academic and developmental support in the preparation for college.

• Advanced Placement courses
• About 20% of juniors and seniors take college classes at SJU and CSB each semester
• Small class sizes - more personal attention
• Nearly 100% of seniors enter college following graduation
• Class of 2007 test scores:
  • ACT Composite: 26.4 (versus 22.5 state-wide and 21.2 nationally);
  • SAT Critical Reading Mean: 592 (versus national average of 502);
  • SAT Math Mean: 602 (versus national average of 515);
  • SAT Writing Mean: 572 (versus national average of 494)

Core Content Areas:

Literature, History, Art, Geography, Music (band, choir or strings), Physical Education (non-traditional approach), Theology, Science, Spanish or German and Math. In math individual assessments are given to each student to determine placement from pre-algebra to upper school geometry.

Core Skills:

Reading comprehension, Writing (both analytical and creative), Critical thinking, Listening and discussion, Mathematical reasoning, Ability to communicate in a foreign language about daily life functions, Practical life skills.

Core Human Development Priorities:

Self-knowledge, Spiritual awareness, Love of learning, Interpersonal skills, Appreciation of the natural world.