Glossary of Pope Prep Terms

Admissions Nights

Admissions Nights are a series of informational events for prospective families, held both on campus and at locations in communities around the greater Nashville area. Our best Pope Prep ambassadors are families who have had positive experiences at our school. If you are interested in hosting an Admissions Night in your local community, please contact Director of Enrollment Mangement Charles Wade (charles.wade@popeprep.org).

Advisory System

The Advisor at Pope John Paul II Preparatory School plays an important role in keeping the student connected to Student Life activities. Students are assigned to an Advisor through the House System and meet with their advisory group approximately once a quarter. The Advisor communicates school policy, student activities, and provides check-in for service hours. Although School Counseling is the primary contact for academic and personal support, the Advisor keeps a watchful eye on their advisees and can be an additional resource and support for students.

Ambassadors

A group of student leaders who represent the school at admissions events, lead tours, and serve as liaisons between the school and the community. Students are hand-selected through an application process, which is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The Armory

The Armory is the place to purchase your Pope Prep spirit wear, uniform polos, and P.E. t-shirts. The Armory carries a variety of sizes from youth small to XXL adult. Armory items are primarily sold online at https://armory.popeprep.org The Armory has in-person sales during home football games and special events.

Blue Man Group

The student-led school spirit group that plans senior drive-in events and student-section dress themes for athletic events. They can be seen waving flags at the beginning of football games and leading cheers at basketball games.

Cie

The Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship houses the Innovation and Entrepreneurship courses. With a makerspace, a robotics arena, and a meeting room, this gathering area of our school allows students to explore, design, and experiment.

The Commons

The area of the building in front of the dining hall, which is a popular gathering place for students and the site for many events and activities.

Counseling - SCOIR

Assigned a student’s junior year, the SCOIR data management system give students access to the college admissions process and provides a central location for students’ test scores, recommendation letters, and GPA.

Courtyard

The area outside in front of the Pope John Paul II statue.

The Fund for Excellence is our annual fund that supports the operations budget of our school. Our goal each year is to have 100% participation in giving, at any level, to the FFE from all families, faculty, and staff.

Hand In Hand Options Program

A program for students with intellectual disabilities. The goal of the program is to make education in a Catholic high school community available to students who would not be able to pursue the college preparatory program at Pope Prep without intensive special education support.

Houses/House System

All students and faculty members belong to one of six mixed grade-level houses at Pope Prep. Houses for middle school and high school meet separately. Each house is named for a previous Pope whose values and mission are expressed in the house shield and colors. The house namesake and colors are as follows: House of Peter (red), House of John (white), House of Clement (gold), House of Pius (light blue), House of Gregory (dark green), House of Leo (royal purple).

House Council

Each year, students nominate and vote for peers to represent their voices on the House Council. House members vote for their president, vice president, and grade-level representatives (8th grade - 12th grade). The elected house presidents also run in a separate election for student body president and student body vice president. House Council works with the administration to planStudent Life events and house competitions.

and FFE participation. House Games and house competitions allow the houses to earn points toward the coveted House Cup at the end of the year.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Program

Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a challenging academic program within Pope John Paul II Preparatory School’s curriculum to expand and enrich the ways that students learn. In I&E classes, concepts are explored in real-world situations so that interdisciplinary connections may exist between school, work, and community. These authentic learning experiences will engage students in ways that the core classes in the curriculum do not and will provide them with an environment that encourages learning through trial and error.

House Games, House Competitions, and House Cup

During the fall and spring semesters, each house competes against each other in House Games, a day of intramural sports and other competitions such as trivia, pumpkin painting, and tug of war. Other house competitions throughout the school year include school spirit, G.P.A., the canned food drive,

Internships

Through the I&E Program, students in grades 11-12 may apply for an internship placement to explore a profession under the mentorship of a local business professional in a particular field.

Junior Ring Mass

Ring Mass has historically been an event that bridges the gap between junior and senior year and serves as recognition of the transition of juniors into senior leaders. A tradition of Ring Mass is a blessing of class rings (or a special ring) and the gift of a Bible. Juniors are invited to ask favorite faculty members or coaches to “sign” their Bible following the event.

Knight Notes

The weekly email that includes school news and important announcements. Knight Notes are emailed each Wednesday afternoon and can be found on the school website: https://www.popeprep. org/knight-notes

Knight Walk

The walk taken by the drumline, cheerleaders, football players, and coaches before the home football games. They walk from the courtyard through tailgate row and into the stadium.

Orientation

New students to Pope Prep attend an orientation day before the first day of school to walk through their schedule, receive an iPad, and learn the layout of the school. Guided by House Council, new students leave orientation fully prepared for their first day of school. Orientation dates this year are on July 31 for new high school students and August 1 for new middle school students.

Pac

Parent Advisory Committee

Peer Mentors and Teaching Assistants

High school students may apply to assist teachers in the classroom by serving as Peer Mentors for the Hand In Hand Options Program and by serving as Teaching Assistants in the middle school classes.

Senior Walk

An event in May when seniors take their “final walk” through the hallways as students at Pope Prep before they graduate. Parents, teachers, coaches, and students line the hallways to say their goodbyes, take photos, and share memories.

Spirit Dress

Ksp

The Knights Success Program (KSP) was developed to support students with diagnosed learning disabilities who have average to above-average intelligence. KSP strives to help students with learning disabilities as they progress through Pope Prep’s college preparatory curriculum.

LOP & Point System

Loss of Privileges (LOP) occur when students are given 10 or more points for lower-level disciplinary infractions. Please read the complete description of the Philosophy of Student Life and Disciplinary Policies in the Parent and Student Handbook on the website: https://www.popeprep.org/student-life/ student-handbook

Magnus

Online data management system that hosts all of the necessary forms for student enrollment. Parents will receive an email with instructions for completing all required forms for the upcoming school year.

MySchoolBucks

Online payment system used by Pedestal Foods. Parents may create an account and load funds on their student’s lunch account. Students access the funds through their school ID. Parents can access records of purchased items at any time.

Fridays are Spirit Dress days at Pope Prep. Students may leave their polos, oxford shirts, skirts, and khakis at home, and they may wear hoodies and other Pope Prep shirts with jeans. Students must wear jeans that follow the guidelines in the dress code.

Surf’s Up Day

The first of special senior events, Surf’s Up Day invites seniors to take a break from classes to gather together in the athletic complex for a day of fun, food, and sun. Students bring blankets, beach chairs, and lots of sunscreen while they enjoy games, inflatables, and great times together.

Tailgate Row

Before home football games, the KAC members can be found gathered on tailgate row located on the middle row of the student parking lot. With food, decorations, and community fellowship, tailgate row is a favorite spot for Knights fans of all ages. Watch for emails from KAC to reserve your own spot on tailgate row!

Tutorials

Each teacher and department offers individualized and group tutoring sessions throughout the week. Students may attend tutorials for help with homework, to review graded assignments, to study for quizzes and test, and to make up work from absences.

Pope John Paul II Preparatory School

Alma Mater

Verse 1

For a man's great inspiration, for wisdom, truth, and faith. For fellowship and loyalty, to honor his namesake.

Chorus

Veracross

An online data management system, Veracross includes coursework grades and due dates, attendance records, and family information used for communications purposes. Students and parents may access Veracross at any time for updated grades and upcoming due dates. Keeping contact information updated on Veracross is essential to receive communications from Pope Prep.

Welcome Knight

A special event held each spring for students and families who are new to the Pope Prep community. Part pep-rally, part informational evening, the Welcome Knight allows students and parents to meet other new families, learn about the upcoming school year, and become official Pope Prep Knights!

Our promise to the Maker to spread hope and charity. Bless our Alma Mater. Lift our hearts to Thee.

Verse 2

Our minds are filled with wonder to learn all that we can. With teachers who inspire and lend a gentle hand.

Chorus

Our promise to the Maker to spread hope and charity. Bless our Alma Mater. Lift our hearts to Thee.