Cistercian Preparatory School

As our students arrived to campus this year for Opening Ceremonies, they were greeted by the soon-to-be-completed renovation of our Science Building. Yet, even before the first student ever crosses its threshold, the renovation has already been a tremendous boon for Cistercian through the lengthy and considered process of self-examination and cross-curricular discussion by the faculty, the administration, and various members of our alumni community. Through this process, we were able to clarify and refine our vision for creating innovative spaces and labs to most effectively advance our students’ understanding of and deepen their appreciation for all the marvels and mysteries of our universe as we prepare them for the very best STEM programs in the country.

Of course, there is a whole lot here for us to think about and to “unpack,” if you will, over the course of the coming year. During our annual retreat before the opening of school, the faculty, coaches, and staff reflected together on how we might strive even better to serve our students after the example of Our Lord.

In this and in other ways, Cistercian seeks to remain true to our founding mission of preparing talented boys for the colleges of their choice by challenging their minds with an excellent academic program, molding their characters through the values of Catholic education, and offering them guidance with both understanding and discipline.

Cistercian Preparatory School was founded with the aim of preparing talented boys for the colleges of their choice by challenging their minds with excellent academic programs, molding their characters through the values of Catholic education, and offering them guidance with both understanding and discipline.

The Cistercians came to Texas with a vision: to build a secondary school that would combine academic excellence with Christian faith, morality, and spirituality. 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.

To organize and administer the school, the Cistercians introduced the Form Master system. A Cistercian priest was assigned to each of the entering classes to oversee their personal, academic and spiritual growth for the full span of eight years. The Form Master sought to create a community among the students and their parents, a sense of identity and family for each Form. He personalized the counseling of students and offered parents a partner with a long-term view of a child’s development. At the same time, unity and consistency in instruction and discipline were assured. Finally, the Form Master built strong, permanent ties between the Abbey and the School. The very nature of monastic life made this system possible, for the monks have bound themselves to the Abbey by a vow of stability.

We are a small, private, Catholic school for boys educating students (Grades, 5-12) in the classical European tradition. Each student must complete a rigorous, well-rounded curriculum that includes all honors courses each year in English, math, science, history, foreign language, religion, fine arts, and physical education. Cistercian is an excellent school for the talented boy who enjoys the challenge of learning. Working in a close-knit community, our faculty strives to offer a Catholic education that will help guide and shape our students for the rest of their lives.