Think Ghost
Rooted in the Spiritan mission, Holy Ghost Prep students are empowered, engaged, and accomplished.
EMPOWERED
HGP’s collegiate environment empowers students to discover and employ their unique talents as leaders and global citizens. They are builders of communities.
ENGAGED
Supported by a liberal arts and sciences foundation and the most relevant, effective, and proven teaching practices, HGP’s interactive and engaging experiences amplify student learning.
ACCOMPLISHED
Drawing on 21st-century learning skills and informed by ethical decision making, HGP produces accomplished, innovative young men who adapt, empathize, and respond with resilience.
History
THINK TRADITION
oly Ghost Prep was founded in 1897 as a seminary, secondary school, and college for young men studying for the priesthood in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.
Starting in the late 1950s, the seminary program was moved to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and the school began to accept students that were preparing for college, becoming what we know today as Holy Ghost Preparatory School.
Today, Holy Ghost Prep welcomes day students from private, Catholic, and public schools from throughout the Philadelphia area.
Curriculum
THINK DIFFERENTLY
Classes at Holy Ghost Prep are different, creative, and energized. We want our students to strive for a deeper understanding of themselves, their classmates, and beyond. We challenge our nearly 450 young men to learn a world that’s more than calculus, Spanish, or robotics. We show them how to think differently, be resilient in the face of challenges, and confidently stand up for the ideas they believe in. Holy Ghost Prep students learn how to hone their unique gifts so they can change the world.
FRESHMAN
u English (CP or H)
u Math (CP or H)
u Religion
u Science (CP or H)
u Social Studies
(CP or AP)
u World Language (CP or H)
u Art, Music, or Theater
u Design Thinking
u Digital Citizenship
u Guidance
SOPHOMORE
u English (CP or H)
u Math (CP or H)
u Religion
u Science (CP or H)
u Social Studies
(CP or AP)
u World Language
(CP or H)
u Guidance
JUNIOR
u English (CP, H or AP)
u Math (CP, H or AP)
u Religion
u Science (CP, H or AP)
u Social Studies
(CP or AP)
u World Language
(CP, H or AP)
u College Guidance
SENIOR
u English (CP, H or AP)
u Math (CP, H or AP)
u Religion
u College Guidance
(CP) CollegePrep (H) Honors (AP) Advanced Placement
Activities
THINK INVOLVED
Thanks to the 75 extracurricular activities at Holy Ghost Prep, there are virtually endless opportunities to get engaged, try new things, and find a passion. From Model United Nations to Spanish Club, Chess, and Theater, every student at HGP has the opportunity to build expertise in his craft or try something new for the first time. Here are some examples.
u Admissions
Ambassadors
u Art Club
u Campus Ministers
u Chess Club
u Chorus
u Classics Club
u Cross Country
u D.I.C.E.
u Drama Society
u Environmental Club
u ESports
u First Friday
u Forensics
u French Club
u French National Honor Society
u Gaming Club
u Ghost Around the World
u International Thespian Society
u Jazz Band
u JV Mathletes
u Latin Honor Society
u Literary Magazine
u Liturgical Ministers
u Math Modeling Team
u Mock Trial
u Movie Club
u Mu Alpha Theta
National Math Honor Society
u National Art Honor Society
u National English Honor Society
u National Honor Society (NHS)
u Newspaper
u Peer Ministers
u Photography Club
u Poetry Club
u Politics Club
u Respect Life Club
u Robotics Club
u Science Honor Society
u Social Studies
National Honor Society
u Spanish Club
u Spanish National Honor Society
u Student Film Club
u Student Government
u TEAMS
u Tri-M Honor Society
u Unum
Orientation Team
u World Affairs Club
u World War II Club
Athletics
THINK SPORTSMANSHIP
Our students don’t just play to win; they compete with honor. As a result, Holy Ghost Prep features first-rate sports teams, populated by even better young men of character. The Firebirds have earned hundreds of championship titles in our rich athletic history and current students are proud to wear our logo on their chests.
u Baseball
u Basketball
u Bowling
u Cross Country
u Golf
u Ice Hockey
u Indoor & Outdoor
Track & Field
u Lacrosse
u Rowing
u Soccer
u Swimming
u Tennis
u Ultimate Frisbee
u Volleyball
The Campus
THINK COLLEGIATE
Holy Ghost Prep’s collegiate style campus is over 55 acres, including five buildings, four outdoor athletic fields, and numerous outdoor instructional and recreational spaces. The 27,000 square foot Holt Center includes the Frederico Theater, Di Paolo Gymnasium, erg room, and performing arts suite. HGP’s facilities also extend off campus to include rowing at Core Creek Park in Langhorne, PA, golf at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale in Philadelphia and the Savage-Gunderson Player Suite for the ice hockey program at Grundy Arena in Bristol Borough, PA.
Students spend their days moving between campus buildings for class, enjoying indoor and outdoor recreational spaces during their free time, and displaying their talents on the courts, fields and stage with their families and friends.
Scholarships
THINK INVESTMENT
Each year, applicants to HGP can be awarded academic scholarships, need-based financial aid, or need-based grants. An independent school education is a family investment, and our goal is to do everything possible to make Holy Ghost Prep a reality for every right-fit student. Each family is unique, and throughout the admissions process, we work hard to educate families on the opportunities available to them including a financial aid information night and one-on-one conversations.
Each year, applicants to HGP can earn academic scholarships, including:
Spiritan
THINK SPIRIT
The Congregation of the Holy Spirit, the religious order of priests and brothers that sponsors Holy Ghost Prep, has two schools in the United States: HGP and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Spiritans work in over 60 countries around the world. They can be found ministering in poor and marginalized communities, teaching in schools, and working in parish ministries.
HGP students have the opportunity to interact with other Spiritan schools through exchange and travel programs in Ireland, the Dominican Republic, and Tanzania.
TheA r ts
THINK UNIQUE GIFTS
Holy Ghost Prep has a vibrant and active fine arts community.
HGP musicians, actors, and singers can be found all over campus, including the fall play and spring musical in the Frederico Theater, coffeehouse style musical performances in the Art Gallery, and concerts throughout the year from the jazz band, concert band, guitar ensemble, and chorus.
Our visual artists are always hard at work in the art studio—from introduction level classes to painting, printmaking, drawing, and 3D design. The beauty of the HGP campus is taken to the next level with the amazing additions provided each year by our student artists.
Brotherhood
THINK BROTHERHOOD
Holy Ghost Prep is proud to have over 125 years of alums that share their spirit, pride, treasure, and expertise to help our school thrive in the 21st century.
Brotherhood at HGP is an intangible component of the Holy Ghost Prep community that promotes the development of young men in a supportive environment and unites us in “one heart and one mind.” This deliberate approach to teaching young men promotes academic excellence, compassionate leadership, and a greater awareness of the world outside of the classroom.
College
THINK PREPARED
At Holy Ghost Prep, we believe the college search process should be holistic in our approach to finding the “best fit” college for a student. We strive to help our students learn more about themselves to make informed search decisions so they will be fulfilled by their college experience academically, spiritually, and socially.
The college process begins during a student’s sophomore year. Guided by three full-time college counseling professionals, students and parents can learn about the college application process, scholarships and financial aid, travel on school sponsored college visits, and meet the countless college and university representatives that come to campus each year.
Think Success
Admission Timeline
6th AND 7th GRADE
u Take the practice exam in February
u Sign up for summer enrichment
8th GRADE
u Create an online portal and complete application at www.thinkghost.org Pleasenoteittakes24-48hourstoprocesstheapplication. Onceprocessedyoumaylogbackintotheportalandcontinuewiththeapplicationprocess.
u Complete the “checklist items”
l Select an entrance exam date (November-December by appointment)
l Complete the required essay through the portal
l Send a teacher recommendation through the portal
l Download the transcript release form and send it to your principal or guidance counselor
l Schedule a personal interview
u Checklist items must be completed within 10 days of taking the entrance exam. Interviews will be scheduled only after the checklist items are completed.
