The thought of sending your child to a Catholic school, when your family practices another faith, might be scary. You might also have some questions about what the experience would look like for your child.

With the help of our current families, we’ve pulled together a list of frequently asked questions that you may have as a non-Catholic family considering Saint John’s Prep.

Do you still have questions? Are you ready to learn more? Fill out the form below to schedule a visit with the ������ Team!

Request a Tour

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After careful curricular review and in-depth discussions with our faculty, along with guidance from selective colleges and universities across the country, we have made some strategic changes to our curriculum. These changes will provide every student with more opportunities to pursue college-level courses at our partner institutions — the —  as well as AP courses and other learning opportunities.

Our new Aspire to Excellence (A2E) curricular framework is a pathway that contains many new approaches for our school. It is also fully aligned with our mission and is informed by the Catholic Benedictine values and traditions we hold dear. Starting in 9th grade, our students will experience this newly enhanced curriculum that reflects our ongoing commitment to create, recognize, and celebrate learning.

The Seven Foundational Learning Goals

All curriculum at Saint John’s Prep rests on the same foundational learning goals, and A2E is no exception. These seven goals define the curricular and co-curricular experience we provide and represent our pledge to students and families:

1. EXCEL ACADEMICALLY

Learning and growth are the key components of student work and life at Prep. Our students engage in wide-ranging work in a well-rounded college preparatory program that is grounded in the liberal arts. We encourage students to strive toward excellence by taking ownership of their own learning as they develop their own unique talents and passions to help them reach their fullest potential.

2. GROW SPIRITUALLY

We believe that spiritual reflection and growth are vital to a student’s personal formation. Students are provided with opportunities to reflect on their spirituality as they work to understand how prayer, work, service, and play are integral to strengthening faith.

3. DEVELOP SOCIALLY

We focus attention on our needs as humans to live in a community with one another, and provide opportunities to develop relationships and social skills through co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

4. SERVE COMPASSIONATELY

The Benedictines commit themselves to bringing people together in a community to support one another and the world. Our students reflect this commitment by using their talents and energy in service to the common good. Through unique service opportunities, students are able to recognize injustice, grow in empathy, and take action to create a more just world.

5. THINK CREATIVELY

We believe that all students are bestowed with the gift of creative expression. We take tremendous pride in providing opportunities for students to express their creativity in every discipline.

6. EMBRACE DIFFERENCE

The Benedictine tradition of hospitality and respect reminds us that we are called to be welcoming to all. We provide our students a wealth of opportunities to discover their own identity, while encountering values and cultures distinct from their own.

7. ENGAGE GLOBALLY

At Saint John’s Prep, students are given learning opportunities that help them experience global cultures on campus and through international study opportunities. By engaging with the world at large, our students are encouraged to develop their awareness of social responsibility as well as a greater sense of the world and their place within it.

THE A2E Curriculum

The A2E curriculum will offer students a wealth of opportunities to put their foundational learning goals into action, and is designed to help them succeed at world-renowned institutions of higher education. The curricular framework in which they will operate will have three key components:

Foundation Curriculum

This curriculum consists of the minimum graduation requirements as laid out in the Student/Parent Handbook. Our graduation requirements exceed for graduation and are consistent with admission requirements at more selective colleges and universities. At this time, no changes have been made to our foundation curriculum.

Academic Distinctions

Students will have numerous opportunities to achieve distinction in any of Prep’s eight academic disciplines: English and literature, visual arts, performing arts, social science, physical and natural sciences, mathematics, world languages, and theology.

To earn academic distinction in these disciplines, students must do the following:

• Complete four merits beyond minimum graduation requirements in a particular discipline. Merits can be earned through additional coursework, experiential learning activities, and other co-curricular activities as outlined by each academic department.
• Attain a GPA of 3.50 or higher within a discipline during junior and senior years.

These requirements are designed to be somewhat flexible, and allow students to choose a path to success that best suits their learning styles, talents, and interests. For example, a student who has a talent for creative expression might earn merits through tutoring in our Writing Center, publishing their own work, participating in our 1000-page Summer Reading Challenge, performing in the orchestra, and the like.

A student with a talent for science and mathematics might earn merits through an independent math project, taking calculus or statistics at one of our partner schools, taking additional advanced classes, earning an exceptional score on an AP-level exam, et cetera.

We are tremendously proud to provide our students with such a variety of ways to challenge themselves, explore their passions, and earn these distinctions in a way that fuels a lifelong desire to learn and grow.

Honors

Honors is our highest level of distinction for students who demonstrate exceptional academic and intellectual depth and achievement. To graduate with honors, a student must obtain the following:

• Three disciplinary distinctions
• A faculty-advised Senior Capstone based on a combination of research, original coursework, writing, and presentation
• An honors-designated knowledge and truth course
• A composite GPA of 3.75 or higher during junior and senior years

What Can Saint John’s Prep Offer Your Child?

While Saint John’s Prep is dedicated to constantly evaluating our academics and identifying ways we can offer students more, much of what we have to offer will never, ever change. Located on 2,900 acres of woodlands and wetlands that inspire curiosity and kinship with nature, our campus also has state-of-the-art fine arts and athletics facilities. Beyond rigorous academics, we believe that a student who is well-prepared for college is also one who understands their skills and passions, and who has the maturity and discipline to succeed in the path of their choosing.

If you’re curious about what our school could offer your child, there’s no better way to find out than to schedule a visit. You’re welcome to explore our beautiful campus and get a feel for our tightly-knit community. We’ll provide plenty of opportunities for your child to make new friends, sit in on classes, and connect with members of our faculty.

REQUEST A TOUR

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Bringing a middle and high school Esports league to our students

We launched our Esports program in 2019 with just 20 students and one title. Since we introduced the program, it has grown to include 60 students who play across five titles.

Today, any student can join the team to play and compete in the following titles:

• League of Legends
• Minecraft
• Rocket League
• Valorant
• Chess

All of the titles we support require teamwork, and we continue to add titles (teen-rated or lower) to our offerings based on student requests.

More than just video games

While it might be easy to assume that Esports is the same as playing video games at home, we believe that there is so much more to this sport than meets the eye.

“Comparing video games and Esports is similar to comparing playing a game of H-O-R-S-E to competing in basketball,” says Charles Miller, head coach of the Esports program. “While playing a schoolyard game requires a basic skill, competing in the game requires teamwork, practice, and dedication to compete. The same can be said of Esports.”

Like other sports, Esports teaches skills that can often only be taught in a team sport environment, including:

• Perseverance
• Work ethic
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Sportsmanship
• Strategy

And just like any other sport we offer, our Esports coaches encourage and help students balance their interests with their education and other commitments.

Centered around inclusivity

Esports are arguably the most inclusive sport we offer at Saint John’s Prep. Because it is so accessible, Esports serve as a valuable tool for uniting communities, from race and gender to mobility and ability levels. Our middle and upper schools students even practice together on their respective titles, bringing together age groups and skill levels. Through Esports, we have seen students come together in a way that other sports, or sitting at home and playing video games, could never do.

In fact, when COVID-19 hit, every Saint John’s Prep sports team had to forego their practices and tournaments — with the exception of our Esports team. Because our students could still meet up online to practice and compete, and our coaches could still support and offer guidance remotely, the team was able to compete in the state tournament.

A healthy level of competition

The Twin Cities Metro has seen Esports grow exponentially over the past few years, providing more opportunities for local competition. The continues to grow alongside our own Esports program, bringing together students from across the state. And our League of Legends team finished second place in the 2020 state championship.

While Saint John’s Prep is a smaller school compared to many of the other schools with competitive Esports teams in the state, we were the first school in Minnesota to award Esports players varsity letters.
“Esports often hasn’t been viewed as a ‘real sport’ and I felt like it was my job to change that,” said Miller. “Today, we remain the smallest high school to ever make it to the Esports Central Division Finals to compete in League of Legends.”

As interest in Esports grows, there are also national opportunities that students can be a part of when they compete. For example, our students have competed against almost 100 other schools in the national PlayVS League of Legends program.

Setting students up for success

In a world where so much cyberbullying can occur behind screens, Esports is a healthy way for students to develop their gaming skills while also exercising social-emotional learning skills. And what students learn through Esports is reflected in the classroom. Studies have shown that students in Esports leagues and are also more likely to be than they were prior to joining an Esports team.

The reality is that some of our students can (and will) continue to participate in Esports after they graduate. Today, there are more than 100 colleges that offer Esports scholarships. Already, we have students who have received scholarships to play for collegiate Esports teams. It is simply the way of the future, and we are eager to continue supporting this growing sport for all interested students.

Wondering what it looks like to participate in Esports? Watch our team compete . If you have questions about our Esports program or want to learn more, contact Coach Charles Miller at C1MILLER@sjprep.net.

Ready to see what else awaits your student at St. John’s Prep?

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While it seems like a goofy storyline, it gave Saint John’s Prep students a chance to remove themselves from the seriousness and challenges of the past few years and to focus on something they love: the fine arts.

James and the Giant Peach production

Our production of James and the Giant Peach featured 18 students in acting roles, 14 students in stage crew roles, and 23 students performing in the orchestra.

“We chose James and the Giant Peach because a lot of our consistent actors were seniors who graduated last year,” said Jeff Engholm, Music Teacher at Saint John’s Prep. “This production has a smaller cast list, plus it adds a lighthearted storyline to our lineup of recent musical selections, some of which had more serious undertones.”

In the past, our theater department has put on musical productions of:

• Into the Woods
• Fiddler on the Roof
• Mary Poppins
• Les Misérables

And for Spring 2023, the Saint John’s Prep theater program will put on a production of Footloose.

An opportunity to learn from professionals

A little-known fact about Saint John Prep’s theater department is that our production staff is made up of many working professionals. A few weeks before the opening performance, professionals in sound, lighting, costuming, and music join the students to support the production and encourage students in their roles.

Through this arrangement, professional musicians play in the pit during each performance and are a wonderful resource for our orchestra students to ask questions of and learn from. Tech professionals help train up our students in charge of lighting and sound, and then hand students the reins for the live performances. And every participant benefits from having Jeff Engholm; Brandon Anderson, Theater Director; and Brother Paul-Vincent Niebauer, OSB, Theater Director leading music and production, as all of them have a professional background in the performing arts.

While the students host several run-through performances at Saint John’s Prep for the nearby elementary schools, each of the larger performances takes place at the This not only gives Saint John’s Prep the space needed to accommodate the large number of attendees but also adds a level of professionalism that encourages students to do their best. It’s also an opportunity to go out into our community and showcase talented students.

Making the fine arts accessible to all grades

Our annual Fall Play and Spring Musical productions are open to middle and upper school students. Participating students meet every day after school to learn their lines, get off book, and begin to focus on choreography, blocking, and practicing with props. For students in the pit, music rehearsals start a few weeks after the actors begin learning their parts.

In the past, some students have participated both in acting and in the pit. “We like to help students get involved in all areas of the play that interest them,” said Engholm. “If we can give them the chance to participate in both the acting side and the music side, then we do what we can to make that possible.”

While Saint John’s Prep encourages students of all abilities and skills to try out for the Spring Musical, some performances have limited roles to fill.

“Some years we can’t take every student who is interested in being part of the production in an acting role,” said Engholm. “We encourage those students to enroll in our acting or creative theater courses. For musicians, we have a jazz program, chamber choir, and traditional band/orchestra and choir options for them to develop their skills. Nearly every time, they come back having practiced and are able to perform in the next production.”

Encouraging a future in the arts

At Saint John’s Prep, we don’t just believe that the fine arts are important — we consider them essential to a well-rounded education. As a result, we have an arts requirement in order for our students to graduate. This means that students take a minimum of one semester of a fine art each year in upper school, though many of our students choose to enroll in more.

Every fine arts course that a student successfully completes contributes toward a fine arts distinction upon graduation. Students can also earn credits toward this distinction through opportunities outside of the classroom, including experiential learning and internships.

Because of our unique focus on the arts, many of our students have gone on to pursue theater after they graduate. In fact, we have several alumni studying musical theater, and one alumna is working in New York starring in off-Broadway shows.

See Saint John’s Prep for yourself

Sometimes the best way to find out if Saint John’s Prep is a good fit for your family is to see our campus in person. Schedule a visit and see all that awaits you and your student.

The post 2022 Spring Musical Recap: Benefits of Music and Theater in Education appeared first on Saint John's Prep.

What Is Social-Emotional Learning?

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a teaching methodology that helps students understand their emotions and demonstrate empathy for others. With more emotional awareness, and a greater ability to manage stress, students are better equipped to make responsible decisions, achieve their goals, and build better relationships. According to the , SEL consists of five core competencies:

• Self-awareness — the ability to identify and assess your thoughts and feelings and how they affect your behavior.
• Self-management — the ability to manage your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
• Social awareness — the ability to empathize with others and engage in ethical behavior.
• Relationship skills — the ability to communicate, listen, validate others, resist social pressures, and resolve conflicts.
• Making responsible decisions — the ability to make good choices about your behavior, including social interactions.

Top Stressors for Teens

Young adults have difficulty handling stress of any kind. Even though a parent might not understand why a math test seems far more stressful than, say, shouldering a mortgage and caring for a high schooler as well as an aging parent, . To put it simply, stress is more stressful for young minds. Stress also has a negative impact on decision-making, resulting in poor decisions and potentially risky behavior.

According to the , there are six common triggers of teenage stress:

• Academic Stress
• Social Stress
• Family Discord
• World Events
• Traumatic Events
• Significant Life Changes

Stress will always be part of life, but some people handle stress, as well as other emotions, better than others — a trait often referred to as . In our society, we often treat emotional intelligence like it’s a quality someone either has or doesn’t, perhaps because of the word “intelligence.” Basic intelligence, , probably can’t be taught, but skills and knowledge certainly can. In the past, most schools didn’t concern themselves much with teaching soft skills, but they probably should have.

The Exponential Benefits of Social-Emotional Learning

At Saint John’s Prep, we believe that social-emotional skills are important building blocks to helping students become their best selves, interact and problem solve with others, and manage challenges. In fact, solid social-emotional skills can have a powerful snowball effect throughout life.  

When people of any age feel like they belong, they’re less likely to experience , , and they. More specifically, a student who feels less stress is able to absorb more of the information given to them in a classroom, which makes it much easier for them to perform well. When they perform well throughout middle school and high school, they’re better prepared to do well in college, throughout their careers, and are ultimately better suited to take on leadership roles.

At Saint John’s Prep, we see this phenomenon time and time again, and scientists and employers observe it as well. According to the , stronger social-emotional skills result in decreased bullying behavior and drop-out rates, and increased academic development. These important soft skills are perhaps even more important later on in life, as 79% of employers say that SEL skills are the most important qualities for success.

Our Social-Emotional Learning Program

Because strong social-emotional skills offer exponential benefits, our classrooms incorporate SEL early and often, beginning in middle school and continuing throughout upper school. Let’s explore how the SEL curriculum is integrated into each learning group in more detail.

Middle School SEL

In grades 6 – 8, our teachers coordinate lessons throughout the year to focus on communication, conflict resolution, compassion and empathy, self-awareness, self-management, overcoming academic personal challenges, setting and accomplishing good goals, resilience, and decision-making skills. While these valuable lessons are incorporated into our regular classroom activities, at Saint John’s Prep, we also provide additional opportunities to focus on SEL.

Group Sessions

To set our youngest students up for success throughout their time with us, all of our 6th graders go through small group sessions with counselors to learn critical SEL skills like perspective, healthy relationships, resiliency, respect, and time management. Additional groups are organized in grades 6 – 8 to include other topics, like making friends and communication skills.

Life Skills Curriculum

Thanks to a generous grant, we are able to supply our middle school students with special life skills curriculum. This valuable coursework uses guided lessons, group work, and traditional classwork, and focuses on self-image, self-improvement, making good decisions, dealing with difficult emotions, resisting peer pressure, and gaining assertiveness and self-advocacy skills. This curriculum also outlines the risks associated with alcohol, smoking and drugs, and encourages critical thinking skills.

Retreats

We plan several middle school retreats throughout the year to foster a deeper sense of belonging. Students can work on soft skills, like being a good listener, but they can also apply what they’ve learned in order to build valuable connections and trust in their community.

Upper School (High School) SEL

Social-emotional skills are further refined in upper school where students can practice them more organically in the context of committees, sports, and leadership groups. Our students are also provided plenty of opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in their daily classwork, as we encourage respectful debate and productive communication during group work, and provide opportunities for students to display critical thinking skills.

Our students typically begin applying their SEL skills immediately, and can see how these lessons benefit their academic performance as well as their relationships with others. However, upper school is typically where our students begin to use these skills to evaluate how they can be successful throughout their lives, and how they might make a positive difference in the world around them.

It is a continual source of joy to watch our students reach a point of maturity where they think deeply and often about how they want to contribute to their community and their world. In our experience, instead of being fearful of college and the many career paths open to them, our students typically have the self-awareness to understand their talents and passions, and genuinely look forward to what lies ahead of them.

������ SEL Opportunities at Saint John’s Prep

Tip Sheets

We frequently send out tips through our parent/student portal so parents are informed about the valuable SEL skills their students are learning, and support this valuable curriculum at home. In the past, we have sent our resources around maintaining a growth mindset, dealing with anxiety, managing stress, self care, and embracing a healthy (non-perfectionist) mindset about achievement.

Staff Relationships

Because we are a smaller private school, our staff is able to connect with students more closely. Teachers can respond to individual student needs, and are allowed the creative freedom to tailor their curriculum to what students are experiencing. 

For example, during political times of year, our staff is free to take additional time to teach students better debating skills, and can come up with new activities in the classroom to practice those skills and discuss different worldviews and perspectives. We’re also able to connect students with school therapists or community resources; we recognize some needs are better fulfilled outside of the classroom.

Diversity

We are honored that our school attracts students from all over the world. But our diverse student body also provides valuable opportunities to practice SEL skills. We believe that exposing students to different viewpoints at a relatively young age is critically important and prepares them to have constructive discussions about difficult topics like race and different religious perspectives. We support our students’ natural curiosity and encourage these conversations. We also help our students learn to navigate these topics appropriately, and always with respect.

SEL in Public Schools

that soft skills should be taught in schools. However, unlike subjects like history, geography and math, mastering soft skills requires far more resources and individual attention than most public schools are able to give. 

We are very respectful of the difficult work public schools are called to do, and the education they are able to provide given the many challenges they face. But public schools simply don’t have the resources to work on character development the way a private school can. Additionally, private schools like Saint John’s Prep have the freedom to fine-tune and quickly adjust their curriculum to reflect what their students are experiencing.

SEL Reflects Our Values

We are very proud to share that many of our beloved Benedictine values are simply SEL concepts expressed in a different way. For example, the principles of Benedictine hospitality encourage warmth, acceptance and joy in welcoming others. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence form the foundation of Benedictine wisdom. And the key to unlocking all of these strengths can be found in the development of empathetic, mindful listening skills.

Should you visit our campus, you will find it to be a very warm and welcoming place, where our students and staff are free to speak their mind, diversity is celebrated, and creativity is always honored and respected.

The post The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning in Schools appeared first on Saint John's Prep.

Therefore, the best way to find out if a school would be the right fit for your child is to let them actually experience it for themselves. Every school has its own character and feel, and exploring the campus is the best way to get a sense of place and community, and see if your child would be happy there.

When you visit our 2,900-acre campus, we hope you will enjoy the natural beauty of our woodlands and wetlands as much as we do. During your visit, we invite you to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and enjoy the many outdoor adventures that our campus has to offer. We’ll provide plenty of opportunities for your child to make new friends, and we’ll also invite them to sit in on our classes and connect with our amazing faculty.

Types of Visits We Offer

Saint John’s Prep offers three different types of visits:��

• Discovery Days
• Upper School Visit Days
• Individual Visit Days

A list of all our pre-planned school activities and visit days for the year can be found here. However, before you get out your calendar, let’s explore each of these visits in more detail so that you can choose the best experience.

Discovery Days

Discovery Days are designed to accommodate the needs of students entering grades 6 – 8. Students will be able to shadow classes and get to know other students during lunch and recess. Parents can speak to the principal and some middle school faculty, take a campus tour, and learn more about the admission process and financial aid options.

We understand that half-day visits can be difficult to schedule, so busy parents can simply leave their child with us in the morning and pick them up after lunch. Discovery Days last from 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and we offer several opportunities to join us throughout the school year.

Upper School Visit Days

Upper School Visit Days are intended for grades 9 – 12 and provide an excellent opportunity for your child to shadow a Saint John’s Prep student throughout the day. Prior to the visit, we’ll ask what your child is interested in so we can pair them with a similar student and provide a more tailored experience.

These visits begin at 7:45 a.m., and students can stay with us through lunch (12:15 p.m.) or until the end of the school day. Parents can choose to drop their child off with us, or join us for any number of activities, such as a campus tour, lunch with admission staff in the Refectory, and meeting with teachers, coaches, and counseling staff.

Individual Visit Days

The admission team can arrange a completely customized experience for students in grades 6–12 on any weekday during the school year. While we always love to meet students and parents in person, we can also provide a variety of online experiences. Additionally, if your child is interested in co-curricular activities, or if you have any special requests, please let us know. We can pair your child with a student who enjoys similar activities, and we can potentially arrange for your child to meet with a coach and sit in on a practice. To schedule an individual visit, email admissions@sjprep.net or call 320-363-3315.

Overnight Visits

For students who are considering our boarding program, we also can provide . Prospective students can join us for an after-school activity, or arrive a bit later and have dinner with their student host in the Saint Michael Residence Hall. The next day, your child will join us for a continental breakfast and shadow a student throughout the school day; they will be welcome to take part in any additional programming available. A full agenda will be provided ahead of time so that your child will feel prepared.

What to Wear

For any campus visit, we recommend that prospective students wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring boots and jackets during the winter, as it’s very likely your visit will take you outside. Our students love to go sledding, and our science classes take full advantage of our beautiful campus, and the unique opportunities for hands-on learning it provides. At Saint John’s Prep, we don’t wear uniforms, and our students and faculty are relatively casual. We encourage students and parents to wear whatever they’re comfortable in. You’ll find that our campus is a safe space, where students feel free to express themselves.

What to Bring

If your child is comfortable participating in our classes alongside our students, a backpack with pencils and paper could help provide a more immersive experience. However, these supplies are not required. There’s also no need to bring food; regular meals will be provided, and your child is welcome to eat alongside our students. For an overnight visit, students don’t need to bring any bedding, but they should pack a change of clothes and toiletries. Parents don’t need to bring anything to a campus visit.

what to ask

Our faculty and staff welcome any questions you may have. Before you make a decision about which school your child attends, it’s always important to understand the unique opportunities a school might be able to provide, as well as the expectations that the school has for its students. We’re also happy to discuss how we communicate with parents, and how our Benedictine values are incorporated into our curriculum and teaching style.

our campus welcomes you

When you get a chance to visit us, you’ll notice that our campus is home to a variety of students and perspectives from around the world. Visitors are often surprised by the large number of international students who attend classes here. While we take an enormous amount of pride in providing a welcoming, safe space for all, we believe it’s also a critical part of our role as educators.

At Saint John’s Prep, we encourage our students to “listen with the ear of the heart,” and to take part in empathetic engagement with the world around them. We make a point of exposing our students to different ideas and providing opportunities to develop lasting friendships with people from different backgrounds.

Finally, as a private school, we have the unique ability to encourage real-life discussions, where students and faculty can speak freely about the complex and nuanced topics that will always be part of our incredible world.

Schedule a Visit

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If you have any reservations about sending your child to a Catholic school, we are happy to dispel some common myths. For example, our students don’t go to church every day. They also don’t wear uniforms, and if you were to stop by for a tour, you might be surprised at the amazing creativity and self-expression you’d see in our halls. And last (but not least), our teachers aren’t all monks and nuns.

However, there is one assumption that parents often make about a Catholic education that we are very proud to say is true at our school. We expect a lot from our students in terms of their academic performance and their behavior; in return, we give them more freedom and leadership opportunities than they’d find at a public school. 

Let’s explore parents’ frequently asked questions to help you get a better understanding of what a Saint John’s Prep education looks like.

Do You Have to be Catholic to Attend a ������?

Neither you nor your child must be Catholic to attend a Catholic school. Our school is proud of its Catholic heritage, and our Benedictine values are reflected in our curriculum as well as our approach to teaching. But today, only around 40% of our students identify as Catholic. The next largest group is none or still deciding. With students from 10-15 different countries in any given year, we welcome students from all faiths and religious backgrounds. We encourage our students to participate in a level they feel comfortable, as well as explore and ask the hard questions of themselves as they explore what faith means in their own life.

How Is ������ Different Than Private or Public Schools?

In essence, a Catholic school is like any other private school in that they are allowed to set their own curriculum and standards for admission. Public schools are regulated by the United States Department of Education, and therefore, they must cater to all students in the same way. At Saint John’s Prep, we have the freedom to individualize a student’s education to best fit their learning style and needs.

If you’re deciding between a private or public school, there are a few things you should keep in mind. And while every school is different, and some aspects of education are impossible to measure, there’s available that may simplify your decision-making.

1. Class Size

Class size is important to most parents for good reason. Not every child learns at the same pace or in the same way. If your child would benefit from more individual attention from their teacher, or if they’re shy, a smaller class size may prove helpful. Catholic schools are similar to other private schools in that the average class size is 20 students. Public schools are more likely to have around 30 students per class.

2. Cost

The cost of private school can be significant and may seem financially unattainable for many middle and lower-income families. At Saint John’s Prep, we believe that all students should be able to access an education that fits them best. As a result, we — as well as many faith-based schools — offer financial aid to make schooling more affordable. Through options including variable tuition assistance and scholarships, families can get support to pay for their student’s private education.

3. Staff

Each school is unique, and many public schools have incredibly dedicated teachers and administrative staff. However, private and parochial schools tend to prefer teachers who have . And independent schools when it comes to school principals, who tend to be far more experienced and have more advanced degrees than their private school counterparts.

4. Spirituality

Public schools are prohibited from including religious teachings in their curriculum. However, it’s very difficult to understand much of human history, philosophy, literature, and art without the context of religious stories and teachings. Independent schools are not only free to discuss matters of faith, but they encourage their students to express their own thoughts and experiences on the subject.

At Saint John’s Prep, we are accepting of all spiritualities and religions. In fact, we are proud to have a diverse student body with different worldviews and perspectives. We encourage every student to explore their own faith and actively engage with their peers to better understand one another.

5. Co-Curricular Activities

Public schools throughout the United States have faced significant budget cuts, and many schools are beginning to cut from their arts and athletics departments. However, child development experts universally extol the benefits of as well as on child development. Many private schools, Catholic and secular alike, have fantastic co-curricular programs, as well as the necessary facilities and budgets to accommodate them.

6. College Preparation 

Catholic schools have the opportunity to prepare students for college more extensively than public schools. In fact, students . One of the factors behind this is  smaller counselor  to student ratios,  such as Saint John’s Prep’s 90:1 ratio. This focus on both a solid educational foundation and adequate preparation for post-secondary education prepare students for whatever they want to do after they graduate.

At Saint John’s Prep, our Benedictine values promote living in balance, and a focus on the common good. Our curriculum is focused on academic achievement, but within a community where every child is loved and respected. While many public and private schools are eager to promote individualism, we believe students ultimately gain more self-worth when they can see how their achievements can benefit others in addition to themselves. We believe this approach contributes significantly to our students’ 100% college admission rate.

We hope this information has helped simplify your decision. But if you still have questions about what it’s like to attend a Catholic school, please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information.  

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Welcoming students from all over the world, Saint John’s Prep is truly a microcosm of world peace. Students are taught to “listen with the ear of the heart,” embracing empathy as a pathway to peace and understanding. It is with this foundation that we have centered our family’s values – to be welcoming to all; to embrace differences; to love one another – above all else. As a family, we envision this rule to encompass social justice issues, self compassion, and a quest to learn about various cultures and religions, for “all are to be received as Christ.”

While at Saint John’s Prep, I developed lasting international friendships that I have continued to nurture. While recently visiting a Prep School friend, Chana Soopipat, in his majestic home country of Thailand, he recalled his love for the Prep School and the 2,900 acres of woods and lakes that make up the campus. “There is no place more beautiful than Saint John’s Prep, even in winter! If I have children, I will absolutely send them there!” To hear this while surrounded by the beauty of Thailand, I was humbled. Indeed, in our backyard, smack in the middle of Central Minnesota, is nestled a gem that is Saint John’s Prep School. How fortunate we are!

We have had the opportunity to continue the Prep tradition in our family with our children now beginning to learn and grow at Saint John’s Prep. Louise began as a 6th grader, and will be in 9th grade next year and Claudia will be a 6^th grader; both have found the Prep School to be graciously hospitable and open to all; welcoming students and families from diverse backgrounds and beliefs and teaching a global perspective. It is with these teachings and values that I believe we prioritize empathy and understanding and continue to strive for peace and harmony on this beautiful, diverse Earth.

Saint John’s Prep Class of 1995
Current Proud Prep Parent

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It was beyond inspiring to watch the students rise to an unexpected and premature performance as e-learning was suddenly imminent for the remainder of the semester.  Their dedication and focus in that moment is why I got into teaching in the first place.

The Saint John’s Prep String Orchestra celebrates the season and presents “The Bells of Christmas,” narrated and introduced by Abbot John Clausen, OSB (SJP Class of ’67).  Through words and pictures, we tell the story of the bells of Saint John’s Abbey, from 1857 to the present day, accompanied by the sounds of the Saint John’s Prep String Orchestra.

The Saint John’s Prep Middle School Orchestra presents a celebration of Christmas through music. Introduced by Br. Paul-Vincent Niebauer, you can see the students rise to the occasion as, weeks ahead of schedule, they were suddenly asked to perform as if it was concert night in the middle of their normal school day. It was to be the last day we would see them in person in 2020.

Jeff Engholm
Music Faculty
Saint John’s Preparatory School

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On the first Friday we had off to practice distance learning, I felt suffocated by the isolation the situation seemingly presented. How was I going to cope with not seeing my friends? How would I stay engaged with school? How might my family be affected by COVID and how might it change how I was able to perform in the classroom? I stewed over a multitude of these questions before online classes officially began, worrying about how all of these things might culminate to affect my junior year.

Just as quickly as the changes had come upon us, our community seemed to start itself up again and eagerly adjust. I was (happily) inundated with homework, zoom calls, and assigned readings as our teachers explored how best they could convey information through technology. Looking back, every single one of my teachers took time to ask us what was working and what wasn’t for us. It didn’t take long for my worries about my educational content to be replaced with questions about the Iranian Revolution and evolution of the peppered moth.

Within that first week I was not only astonished by the speed with which we faced the new challenges, but the empathy. Knowing what I know about the Prep community, I should not have been surprised by how quickly we rallied around each other. Teachers regularly ask students how we are doing and coping, what issues we are encountering on an individual basis, and how much work we are able to complete during this time. My fellow NHS members and the student council have brought virtual senior celebrations and activities to the community, along with the many online clubs formed by Prep teachers. It didn’t take too long for a sense of normalcy to deep into our everyday zoom interactions.

In  light of such trials, I believe we have truly lived out our Benedictine value of community. It is easy to be an involved member of your community when it is in a place you love with your friends everyday. It is a lot harder when we are all spread across the globe. And yet, we have done what seemed to be impossible. My teachers and peers have remained a network of empathy, support, and academic motivation. While some experiences (and biology labs) can really never be made up for, I know have made the absolute best of our situation and truly been astounding participants in our e-community.

Adrienne Gefre
11th Grade Student
Saint John’s Preparatory School

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