Cistercian Preparatory School

Our school's motto is Ardere et Lucere, to be enkindled and to enlighten. Cistercian Preparatory School is a community in which every boy's natural capacity to understand and to work for the good of others is enkindled so that he can then go forth and enlighten the world in which he will live.

The Cistercians' outlook on life serves as the basis for their educational philosophy. Foremost in their minds was the conviction that the search for God was the purpose of every human life. They also sought to promote true human values and integrate every variety of learning into the journey toward God.

The Cistercians' philosophy accounts for a number of innovative practices. They committed themselves to a rigorous, integrated 8-year curriculum for grades 5-12 in theology, language arts, math, science, history, and the fine arts. Such a curriculum implied that serious academic work should begin at age 10. It also created continuity in a student's education from childhood through adolescence.