Thursday, May 1, 2014

It's Not the Programs, It's the People

In today's post, Mr. Turner '00 talks about what truly make St. Joseph's Prep special.

Forgive us private school admission folks if we like to talk about what our schools have to offer. If you ask any admission director, "What makes your school special?", he or she might tell you about the school's stellar academic program, its outstanding athletic teams and facilities, and all the opportunities for service and leadership - not to mention support services like counseling, spiritual direction, and career guidance.

Now, St. Joseph's Prep has all those wonderful things and more. But let me tell you what really sets our school apart:
  • our students
    Kairos 134
  • our staff
When you come to St. Joseph's Prep, you are surrounded by motivated, intelligent, and caring people who impact your high school experience far more than any strategic initiative or nationally recognized endeavor ever could.

Our Cape and Sword (drama) alumni praise their fellow classmates and their outstanding director, not the props or the stage. Ten years from now, when our state champion football players recall this past year's magical season, they'll talk about their teammates and their dedicated coaches, not the fancy uniforms or the hotel food in Hershey, PA.

Quick story - a member of the Class of 2005 fondly recalls crew practices before Mother's Day each year. One coach, the fiercest of competitors and the most intense of trainers, would show up to practice with a bag full of Mother's Day cards. He ensured that each rower took the time to sit down and write his mother a note. Competition was important, of course, and training for the upcoming regatta was essential. Coach, however, carved out the time for his athletes to show appreciation for the people in their lives, especially their mothers.

As a senior, when you look back and ask, "What was my favorite class?", it won't be biology because of the top-of-the-line microscopes, but because of the lab partner who became your best friend and the fabulous teacher, affectionately know as Mother Brown, who taught you how to love learning.

This blog post was written by Mr. Ed Turner '00, Director of Admission.