Saint John's Preparatory School

Saint John’s Prep is an independent college preparatory school guided by Benedictine values. Students in grades six through twelve from diverse backgrounds immerse themselves in a learning environment surrounded by the natural beauty of our pristine woods and lakes shared with Saint John’s University. Students in grades six through twelve from diverse backgrounds immerse themselves in a learning environment surrounded by the natural beauty of our pristine woods and lakes shared with Saint John’s University and Saint John’s Abbey.

Students are challenged to engage deeply in learning; foster and participate in an inclusive community; and grow into adults who are intellectually adventurous, ethically sure-footed, and generous of heart and spirit. Students will believe in themselves, aspire to greatness, and view the world with a global perspective.

Saint John’s Prep is proud to have served the families of Central Minnesota and the world for 161 years. Our Benedictine school was founded on the bluff of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, MN on November 10, 1857.In 1864, Saint John’s Prep moved to its present site in Collegeville. The current academic building, Saint Bede Hall, was built in 1962. The architects built the school on the hill overlooking Lake Sagatagan. The four floors of Saint John’s Prep main building were designed with all classrooms facing the woods and lake. All classrooms in Saint Bede Hall have a wall of windows in each classroom.

In 1998, a fifth floor wing was added with the Weber Center event space. In 2000, the Meyers Family Science Center with science labs and classrooms was added. In 2008, a 22,600 square foot addition was completed for our award-winning music program and Middle School classrooms.

Our school is a community, providing hospitality and demonstrating citizenship. Life together in this place is built on trust, love, respect and a genuine interest and concern for one another, which includes welcoming, helping, listening, caring and being present to others. Learning is a communal activity of students, teachers, parents, alumni/ae, friends, board. We embrace the opportunity to work for the common good of the larger community, one that reflects the broad diversity of the real world.

A commitment to quality. Quality faculty, curriculum, programming, facilities, equipment urge each person, each department, the whole school to seize every moment for doing their very best. Enthusiastically educating and being educated; inspired and inspiring. Learning opens our eyes to what is possible so that we can better strive for the highest standards of performance.

At Saint John’s Prep, we’re proud to teach to a diverse group of motivated students while providing an innovative learning experience with a focus on college preparation. Whether it’s our 6-8th grade middle school program with the curriculum unified across subjects, or the IB Diploma Programme in our Upper School, the global experiences and background of our faculty, or the diversity of where our students come from, you’ll find a global perspective throughout your day. By learning in a Catholic/Benedictine spiritual environment, our students develop compassion and understanding of their world and themselves. Our small class sizes mean our students receive individual attention and our teachers have the flexibility to challenge students to achieve beyond their potential. Classroom discussions engage students in ways that give them an international perspective, lead them to embrace diversity, and develop their cross-cultural competency. We are proud of our innovative curriculum and outstanding faculty. We are confident you will discover Saint John’s Prep is a unique environment to prepare you for entering the college of your choice and to become a life-long learner.