This is designed to answer the questions and alleviate the concerns of parents thinking about sending their children to boarding school for high school. It will debunk commonly accepted myths and offer information regarding the value of a boarding school education, success rates of St. Lawrence Seminary graduates, and will outline what questions parents should consider when looking at prospective boarding schools.
Perhaps you’ve heard that boarding schools are entirely too exclusive, that they lack diversity, or that only troubled kids are sent to boarding school. We want to help you separate fact from fiction by shedding light on some of the common myths surrounding what a boarding school experience can offer a high school student.
Boarding Schools offer financial aid or scholarships for those who qualify. St. Lawrence Seminary offers need-based financial aid, tuition payment programs and payment plans to help families budget. The generosity of our benefactors allows us to keep our charge for tuition, room, and board lower than other private and boarding schools in the Midwest. We have a full breakdown of costs and how to finance an education at St. Lawrence Seminary.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to diversity and providing students with a well-rounded education exposing them to different cultures. The overall student body at St. Lawrence is made up of students from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds from all across the world. To grow in understanding of what it means to be a ‘Son of Calvary’ but also incorporating many of our individual customs from each ancestry, students participate in many traditions and activities through the school year. Learn more about our cultural events.
There are boarding schools for many types of students, including students who excel academically, students who need extra help with their studies, and all the students in between. St. Lawrence Seminary is a college preparatory school that focuses on preparing boys for further education. We follow a seven period class day with two additional study hall periods and a wide variety of electives, including foreign languages, business law, advanced computer applications and more. Learn more about our academics.
What you learn outside the classroom can be just as important as what you learn in it. Through experiential learning opportunities and ministry programs, our students are able to learn hands-on skills that will aid them in college and beyond. Learn more about our experiential learning opportunities through ministry.
While a higher population of students attend either public or private high schools, the statistics show that boarding schools offer a much larger benefit to your son's development and college preparedness. Self-discipline, maturity, critical thinking, and a sense of independence are all examples of how boarding schools deliver a holistic high school experience — but don’t just take our word for it. Scroll down to see the statistics about boarding school.
One of the major benefits of a boarding school education is an exceptional academic environment. St. Lawrence Seminary has a college preparatory focus, which encourages and promotes academic excellence. And in turn, the expectation levels are high for both students and teachers.
Percent of high school students who believe their school was academically challenging:
A Strong Sense Of Community With Both Peers And Teachers
Boarding schools allow students and professors to be available at odd hours. This is a distinct advantage over traditional day schools because the accessibility allows groups to meet, study, and prepare materials prior to a big test or class presentation.
Our community is the heart of St. Lawrence Seminary. Students are placed in fraternities of 10-12 boys that are balanced on grade, culture, and compatibility. These fraternities forge lifelong friendships.
The structured environment of boarding school, while challenging for some, is a benefit for many. Students are given scheduled class times, but much of their time spent out of class will be up to them to plan and organize. Students must learn how to prioritize and balance academics, clubs, sports, service opportunities, leisure time, and other extracurricular activities. Our students have to learn how to manage their own time, which better prepares them for college, life in the ministry, or whatever path they choose.
We know how important spiritual growth is to help boys develop into mature, well-rounded men. Our Catholic teachings are inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the example of St. Francis of Assisi. We provide students with a wide array of volunteer opportunities and ministry programs to put their faith into practice.
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