Saint Louis Priory School 2021-22 Admissions Viewbook

O U T S TA N D I N G P R E PA R AT I O N F O R A N E X C E P T I O N A L L I F E

“ When I was 11, I chose Priory because I wanted a second home.

I got so much more: mentors who challenged me, friends who supported me, and a community who treated me like Christ. I’m now part of a life-giving tradition steeped in wisdom. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Father Cuthbert Elliott O.S.B. ‘02, Headmaster

The mission of Saint Louis Priory School is to provide a Catholic, Benedictine, college preparatory education of the highest excellence so as to help talented and motivated young men develop their full potential as children of God.

7-12 300+ 150 50

Grades, All-Boys School

Students

Acre campus

Number of different ZIP codes where students come from a variety of

independent, parochial, private and public schools

40%+

Percentage of students that receive tuition assistance

TO PRIORY

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Saint Louis Priory School is an all-boys,

More than 60 years after the school’s founding,

Catholic secondary school with a vibrant,

Priory’s students and alumni continue to aspire to

60+ year history.

leadership in their communities through humble service and unfeigned love of God and neighbor.

In 1956, a group of St. Louis Catholics and three Benedictine monks from Ampleforth Abbey in

The school is a member of the National Catholic

Yorkshire, England, founded an all-boys, college

Educational Association, the College Board,

preparatory school for the education of local

the National Association of Independent Schools,

students in the Catholic faith.

the Independent Schools of Saint Louis, the Independent Schools Association

Today, more than 20 Benedictine monks

of the Central States and the Saint Louis

continue their order’s centuries-old tradition

Educational Confederation.

of providing a liberal arts education for future servant leaders. Students who enter Priory in the

“ You don’t realize the gift that Priory gives you until later in life.

Priory gives you a foundation.

If you look at the Order of Saint Benedict, you realize he was a bright guy. Look closer at the monks’ lives. There are three parts to the day: pray, work, and rest.”

Ben Knoll, Class of 2000

7th grade graduate six years later prepared for advanced study and shaped by the Benedictine Hallmarks and an appreciation for sharing new ideas.

Members of the Alumni Board Mike Reedy ’99, Alex Borchert ’02, Matt Wagner ’90, Tom Cummings ‘89

HISTORY

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“ A careful analysis of Holy Scripture reveals the concept of equity and inclusion as, in fact, a God-given idea.

I consider myself fortunate to be part of a community where this is integral to our mission, and we can approach the topic from a biblical perspective.”

At Priory, we carve out time in our students’

Jon-Pierre Mitchom, Director of Equity and Inclusion, Form Master, Chaplaincy Team

to be found in Jesus Christ, who is “the way,

busy schedules to ask some of life’s most significant questions: Who is God? How do we know him? Why did he create us?

How do his gifts of life and grace shape our responsibilities to one another and the world?

Priory offers theology – literally “the study of God” – because seeking answers to these questions is essential for our happiness.

As Catholic and Benedictine educators, we believe the answers to these questions are the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6). We offer our students the time, space and expertise needed to seek Christ with open hearts. Students of all religious traditions enjoy engaging with these questions in class and growing at their own pace in the knowledge and love of God. Naturally woven throughout Priory’s Theology program are lessons and discussions on the meaning and importance of equity and inclusion.

FO U N DAT I O N S

As a college preparatory school that provides both education and formation of the human person, our goals include preparing students for their experience in college and beyond, as well as forming them spiritually and theologically to be able to bring Christ into the world through their personal interactions during and after their college years. Each person at Priory is called to help others recognize themselves as images of God and vital members of our school community.

Priory’s Chaplaincy Team works in tandem with the Theology Department to support the spiritual, moral and sacramental formation of our students through weekly Masses and prayer assemblies, the sacrament of reconciliation, our unique Tutoria program, community service and annual retreats.

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“ The 12 Benedictine Hallmarks serve as unique tools for character development and the students benefit from these teachings greatly, in addition to the excellent education. The school community is extremely friendly and we welcome new families. The faculty and staff are extremely supportive and they want to make sure each student succeeds.”

The mission of Saint Louis Priory School is

Nicholas Parafiniuk, Class of 2022

further defined as providing a college preparatory education that develops the key characteristics selective colleges and universities are looking for in students, including intellectual skills, service, leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork and collaboration.

Humanities Humanities is a six-year intensive program in which students come face to face with history, philosophy, poetry and prose in order to foster critical thinking, engaging discussion, and a passion and predilection for writing in all its forms – argumentative, analytical, reflective, creative. A student who

In addition to Theology, Priory’s curriculum

is truly immersed in the study of the humanities

includes studies in four other academic areas:

receives an academic foundation that enables him to thoughtfully and responsibly engage

Science, Math and Technology

with current issues and navigate challenges.

In the Science, Math and Technology Department, we educate our young men to become critical

Modern and Classical Languages

thinkers who can confidently and clearly

The study of foreign languages contributes to a

articulate technical arguments. We strive to

well-rounded education, a sophisticated view of

foster independent and creative thought by

Western thought and history and an appreciation

first providing strong foundational skills and

for different cultures. The study of Latin forms

then challenging students to extend their

the basis of the foreign language curriculum

knowledge in the laboratory or through project

and contributes to the mastery of other subjects

based learning. In addition to our core six-year

like biology and history.

program, we offer a number of electives and extracurricular opportunities for students to explore and pursue their passions.

P R E PA R ATO RY

Visual and Performing Arts By participating in the arts, our students develop cognitive abilities and forms of intelligence that complement training in other disciplines as they discover talents and interests that will shape their future. More importantly, the Visual and Performing Arts align with the Benedictine tradition by providing opportunities to practice the 12 Hallmarks of a Benedictine education through creative work designed to serve others.

The arts teach us to recognize and appreciate all God’s blessings of beauty in the world around us.

Art History

Medieval Arts

Studio Art

Theatre Arts

Vocal Music

Video Production

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College Counseling As a school guided by Benedictine principles, we approach the college choice process through introspection, reflection, prayer and hard work.

The college choice process is developmental, and our college counseling is designed to reflect a young man’s growing understanding of himself and his strengths as he matures and progresses through high school. Our interaction with your son is tiered to meet his needs.

In freshman year, we host a student and parent evening that examines how students should be thinking about the next steps after high school— by focusing on doing well in his academic work

Throughout the second half of junior year, our office meets students one-on-one to discuss a list of colleges that will match their strengths, abilities and interests. By the senior year, through the college counseling seminar class and several scheduled one-on-one meetings, counselors

30

is the average ACT score in the class years of 2019-2021 (three-year average)

$2.5

The Class of 2021 has received $2.5 million in scholarships

for their college education

assist each student with his application process.

Throughout all our endeavors, our goal is to offer excellent, personalized service to our students and families that best matches the needs and interests of each young person we advise. We are deeply committed to helping each Priory student realize his full potential throughout the college selection process.

100% 30:1

of Priory students take at least one AP class before graduating

Student to college counselor ratio allows for a personalized approach

throughout the college application process

and exploring his academic and non-academic interests. By sophomore year, we are meeting regularly in small group settings to assist your son in exploring possible areas of strength and professional pathways.

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“ Advisors provide a space for students to discuss any aspect of their Priory experience with each other, formally or informally. In addition to serious discussions about school life, advisory meetings also provide a time for fun and community building.

At Priory, our goal is to form good character, not just good transcripts.”

Priory’s Benedictine tradition makes community life central to a student’s experience on campus.

There are 12 Hallmarks of a Benedictine school that shape Priory’s community.

Form Masters The Priory Form Master system allows for a personal and focused approach to discipline, guidance and formation. Each student at

Students live out these 12 Hallmarks in the

Priory is assigned to a Form Master who will

academic classrooms and athletic fields as

be responsible for his formation and growth

well as when they participate in clubs,

over two years. The Form Masters implement

organizations and service opportunities.

a comprehensive program that guides students

These opportunities allow students to develop

to an understanding of what it means to be

as servant leaders as they pursue interests

a member of a Christ-centered community.

that extend beyond the classroom.

Priory students learn to show respect and care for others, while also serving as good stewards of their environment. Our students understand that their words and actions have an impact

Justin Orlando ‘99, Science Teacher, Form Master

on the school community.

LOVE GOD LOVE LOVE OFOF GOD OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR AND AND NEIGHBOR NEIGHBOR

PRAYER AND PRAYER PRAYER AND AND WORSHIP WORSHIP WORSHIP LOVE OF GOD LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR AND NEIGHBOR

LISTENING LISTENING LISTENING PRAYER AND PRAYER LOVE OF AND GOD WORSHIP WORSHIP AND NEIGHBOR

DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINE LISTENING LISTENING PRAYER AND WORSHIP

DISCIPLINE Advisory DISCIPLINE LISTENING

DISCIPLINE

Every student is assigned to an Advisory upon entering Priory, and his faculty advisor remains LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR

PRAYER AND LOVE LOVE OFOF GOD GOD WORSHIP AND AND NEIGHBOR NEIGHBOR

MORAL AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY HOSPITALITY MORAL MORAL AND AND SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY COMMUNITY HOSPITALITY HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT MORAL AND AND STABILITY STABILITY MORAL AND SPIRITUALMORAL COMMUNITY AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY AND SPIRITUAL LISTENING DISCIPLINE DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY DEVELOPMENT LOVE LOVE LOVE OFOF GOD OF GOD GOD PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER AND AND AND LISTENING LISTENING LISTENING DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINE PRAYER PRAYER AND AND LISTENING LISTENING DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINE AND AND AND NEIGHBOR NEIGHBOR NEIGHBOR WORSHIP WORSHIP WORSHIP WORSHIP WORSHIP

TRADITION

the same until graduation. Advisory is meant

STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP HOSPITALITY HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY AND STABILITY

STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP HOSPITALITY

STEWARDSHIP

to be a small community within the school, consisting of students from all grade levels.

Advisories have 15 members or fewer who meet

HUMILITY HUMILITY HUMILITY MORAL AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY HOSPITALITY STEWARDSHIP MORAL MORAL MORAL AND AND AND SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MORAL MORAL AND AND SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY COMMUNITY HOSPITALITY HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT AND AND AND STABILITY STABILITY STABILITY DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT AND AND STABILITY STABILITY

OBEDIENCE OBEDIENCE OBEDIENCE HUMILITY HUMILITY HOSPITALITY HOSPITALITY HOSPITALITY STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP

WORK WORK WORK OBEDIENCE OBEDIENCE STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP HUMILITY

together multiple times each week. The small

CONVERSION CONVERSION CONVERSION WORK WORK OBEDIENCE

CONVERSION CONVERSION

size of these WORK groups and theCONVERSION regular meetings help foster brotherhood and a supportive environment.

The advisor keeps track of his students’ progress and is the first contact should any problems

HUMILITY

OBEDIENCE HUMILITY HUMILITY

WORK HUMILITY HUMILITY HUMILITY OBEDIENCE OBEDIENCE

CONVERSION OBEDIENCE OBEDIENCE OBEDIENCE WORK WORK

WORK WORK WORK CONVERSION CONVERSION

CONVERSION CONVERSION CONVERSION

with classes or student life arise.

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Student Clubs

Community Service

3D Printing Club African American Student Group Business & Entrepreneurship Club & FBLA Car Club Chess Club Coding Club Community Service Competitive Gaming Club Cooking Club Diversity Club Fantasy Sports Club Illusionists/Magic Club Investment Club Junior Classical League Junior School Cycling Club Math Madness Medicine and Sciences Club Mock Trial Model UN New Testament Greek Psychology Club Respect Life Club Robotics Scholar Bowl Sodality Spirit Club Stannard House START Student Ambassadors Student Council Student Honor Court The Guild of Saint Columkille The Record Tutoria USO Club Video Game Club Vocal Music Club Women’s Studies Club Yearbook Youth In Government

In Chapter 4 of The Rule, St. Benedict calls on his monks to serve others, “You must relieve the lot of the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and bury the dead. Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing.” Priory students are also called to serve others as a part of the school’s community service program. All students are invited to participate in regular service opportunities throughout the school year.

Sophomores participate in a day of service and take a term-long seminar that focuses on community service. Juniors and seniors must fulfill a 40-hour service requirement.

Many Priory students complete over 100 hours of service each year, building strong relationships with service organizations in the St. Louis area.

Servant Leadership Institute The Servant Leadership Institute, sponsored by the Mothers’ Club, develops servant leaders through a program of monthly guest speakers and service opportunities. Through this service-focused programming, students gain wisdom, serve others and develop practical leadership skills.

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Athletics Participation in sports is an integral component of the overall Benedictine education and development of each student at Priory. Our athletic program spans 7th through 12th grade.

Exposes athletes to a variety of different sports

Students at Priory have the opportunity to participate in sports programs designed to help student-athletes become the best versions of themselves. Priory athletics is built on meaningful contributions from everyone on the team including both role players and aspiring NCAA athletes. In fact, since 2013, 37 Priory graduates have gone on to play collegiate athletics

Helps students reach their full physical

in eight different sports in NCAA Division 1, 2, and

and mental potential

3 Universities and the Ivy League Schools.

Fosters a bond of teamwork and friendship

Athletics at Priory has played a prominent role in

Builds a foundation in respect and good sportsmanship

St. Louis high school sports since its membership into the historic ABC League in 1968. Now known as the Metro Athletic League, members of this conference

Encourages the development of leadership,

traditionally produce high-level, competitive teams

commitment, cooperation and self-discipline

and programs that often vie for district and state

Unites students, faculty, parents and alumni in an atmosphere that makes the Priory community stronger

“ The athletics at Priory are unique.

For being a fairly small school, we put up a big fight against bigger schools. Priory athletics have allowed for me to compete against strong competition while also bettering myself as an athlete both mentally and physically.”

Quinten Bauman, Class of 2024

championships. Priory has a rich tradition of success in many sports and our student-athletes showcase their competitiveness, drive and good sportsmanship both in and out of the classroom.

Cultivates school spirit

Fall Season

ATHLETICS

Cross Country

Football

Soccer*

Strength and Conditioning*

Winter Season

Basketball

Hockey*

Hockey B League Team***

Winter Soccer*

Wrestling

Strength and Conditioning*

Spring Season

Baseball

Golf* Lacrosse Tennis**

Track and Field

Ultimate Frisbee*

Strength and Conditioning*

* High School ** Eighth grade and High School *** Open to 7th and 8th grade students 15

“ One of my favorite things about Priory is that they not only “ One of my favorite things about emphasize academics, but they Priory is that they not only also encourage you to participate emphasize academics, but they in sports because it is a fun way also encourage you to participate to stay active and healthy. in sports because it is a fun way Playing sports lets me hang out to stay active and healthy. with my friends and meet people Playing sports lets me hang out from other grades that I do not with my friends and meet people have any classes with.” from other grades that I do not Jalen of 2023with.” haveRiad, anyClass classes

Enrollment Management For more information please contact the Office of Enrollment Management at 314.434.3690, ext. 101 or email admissions@priory.org.

Our Campus Saint Louis Abbey is located on a picturesque 150-acre campus in West Saint Louis County. It is home to the Monastery and Church of Saint Louis Abbey, to Saint Louis Priory School and to Saint Anselm Parish, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis.

See the map below for more details.

Jalen Riad, Class of 2023

“ The three best aspects about my Priory experience have been the brotherhood, the teachers and The teachers “ the The class threesizes. best aspects aboutare my always available and give helpthe Priory experience have been whenever it isthe needed.” brotherhood, teachers and sizes. teachers the Mekhiclass Tanksley, ClassThe of 2022

are always available and give help whenever it is needed.”

Mekhi Tanksley, Class of 2022

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500 South Mason Road St. Louis, MO 63141 priory.org