To inspire hearts to unite, minds to inquire, and hands to serve.
Racism is not merely one sin among many; it is a radical evil that divides the human family and denies the new creation of a redeemed world. To struggle against it demands an equally radical transformation, in our own minds and hearts as well as in the structure of our society.
~ Excerpt from Brothers and Sisters to Us, a pastoral letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Inclusion
At Austin Prep, our commitment to Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and confront injustice wherever it threatens that dignity. Inspired by the Augustinian vision of community, rooted in truth, bound by love, and united in the search for justice, we recognize that true belonging requires more than inclusion. It requires transformation.
The diversity of the human person reflects the breadth of God’s creation. Our students, drawn from many backgrounds, enrich the collective wisdom of our school. Inclusion is not simply about presence. It is about participation, ensuring that every member of our community feels valued, respected, and heard.
Rooted in our faith, we strive to remove barriers that prevent individuals from fully sharing their gifts. The work of justice is not peripheral to our mission. It is central to the education of the heart and mind, and to preparing students to help build a more just and loving world.
People, Programs, and Promise
In the summer of 2020, amid a moment of national reckoning on race and justice, Cardinal Seán O’Malley reminded us that “Catholics are called to uphold and defend the truth that Black Lives Matter.” At Austin Prep, our commitment to Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas compels us to create a learning community that reflects the full breadth of the human family.
Rooted in the Augustinian tradition, we recognize, as St. Augustine wrote in Confessions, that we are bound together as members of one family. Honoring the dignity of every human being is both a moral and spiritual imperative.
Our work is not simply about inclusion. It is about formation. We seek to cultivate a community where every individual at Austin Prep is known, valued, and celebrated. This commitment extends beyond words to the expectation that all members of our school community help foster an environment of mutual respect.
This includes respect for differences in race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender, culture, ability, age, learning style, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Racism, bigotry, and intolerance in any form stand in direct opposition to our values and have no place in our community.
To educate for justice is to prepare students for lives of moral and intellectual courage. As a school, we are called to be a sign of what is possible, a place where the diversity of God’s creation is not only acknowledged but embraced.
We will continue to work intentionally to ensure that our Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students reflect the complexity and richness of the world in which we live. We also recognize that gaps in opportunity persist in society, and we embrace our role in addressing these challenges with humility, learning from one another, and committing to meaningful action.
Every person is made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, every member of the Austin Prep community has an inherent right to be treated with dignity and to be free from all forms of discrimination. This belief calls us to ongoing personal and institutional reflection, professional development, and programming designed to deepen understanding and eliminate bias where it exists.
While we have made meaningful strides in fostering a more just and inclusive community, our work remains unfinished. As an Augustinian school, we walk together on this journey, learning from the experiences of others and striving to align our actions with our deepest convictions.
We remain committed to listening, growing, and ensuring that Austin Prep continues to be a place where truth, unity, and love guide all that we do.
Sr. Maria Nassali | Assistant Head for Ministry and Mission
Sr. Maria Nassali, a Bannabikira Sister, brings to Austin Prep a life consecrated to faith, learning, and the transformative power of God’s love. With a graduate degree in mathematics and a CAGS in educational leadership, she is both a scholar and a servant-leader, uniquely positioned to guide students and faculty in the deep work of interiority and reflection. In an age of distraction and noise, Sr. Maria calls our community to something far greater, the restless search for truth that St. Augustine himself pursued, a journey that leads us ever closer to the heart of God.
Her mission is not simply to teach but to awaken, to stir in students the awareness that they are made for more than worldly success; they are made for communion, for meaning, for holiness. Through her leadership, Austin Prep continues to cultivate an environment where prayer, contemplation, and the lived experience of faith are not separate from education but its very foundation. She challenges us to look beyond the surface, to listen for God’s voice, and to embrace the radical love that transforms lives.
Sr. Maria’s work ensures that our school is not just a place of learning, but a place of becoming, where students are shaped not only by knowledge but by wisdom, where they are not only prepared for careers but for vocation. In her presence, we are reminded that the most profound education is one that forms the soul as much as the mind, and that every student, no matter their path, is called to a love that has no limits.
The Daughters of Mary | Campus Ministry
Austin Prep is privileged to welcome the Learn about the Daughters of Mary to the school community to share their mission with us. Founded in 1910 in Uganda and placed under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Bannabikira Sisters were elevated to Pontifical status by Pope Pius XII in 1958. The mission of the Bannabikira Sisters is to educate young people, care for the sick, and engage in social work, all inspired by the spirit of the Motherhood of Mary. In coming to Austin Prep, the Daughters of Mary will expand their apostolate to our school and the Archdiocese of Boston. The Daughters of Mary have several apostolates, including St. Aloysius Girls Secondary School in Kalungu, Central Region, Uganda. In addition to educating young women, the school provides food, clothing, medical care, and domicile for their students.
The arrival of the Bannabikira Sisters is a blessing and opportunity to deepen Austin Prep’s connection to a global world, to broaden our horizons and perspectives about culture, race, and the lived experiences of others, and to advance the work we do in the Lord’s Vineyard to spread the Kingdom of God.
Dr. Crystal Kuykendall | St. Augustine Series Lecturer
Dr. Kuykendall first came to campus in March 2020 at the invitation of the Head of School to be the keynote speaker at the 2020 St. Augustine Lecture, Austin Prep’s most celebrated opportunity to enrich the intellectual life of the school. As a recognized expert who has astounded audiences across four continents and brought her lifetime of experience to Willow Street, Dr. Kuykendall deeply impressed faculty and students with her powerful storytelling and warm personality. In the summer of 2020, Dr. Kuykendall partnered with Austin Prep to help further advance our ongoing work to educate for justice.
Dr. Kuykendall has also taught at Seton Hall University and Montclair State University and is the former Executive Director of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She has also served as the Director of Urban & Minority Relations for the National School Boards Association and the Director of the Citizens Training Institute of the National Committee for Citizens in Education.
At Austin Prep, we are called to build a community that reflects the fullness of God’s creation—a place where every student, faculty member, and staff member feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to contribute to the common good. Rooted in our Augustinian values, we strive to create a learning environment that fosters belonging and ensures access for historically underrepresented and underserved groups. Our commitment is not just to inclusion but to justice, ensuring that all members of our community can flourish in mind, heart, and spirit.
Advancing Our Mission Through Action
Our efforts to build an inclusive and just school community are not aspirational—they are concrete, intentional, and ongoing.
Secured Over $200,000 in Alumni Support
A generous alumnus has committed more than $200,000 exclusively to initiatives that advance diversity, inclusion, and belonging at Austin Prep. We continue to have generous support from alumni and families during the annual fund.
Mandatory Faculty and Staff Training
Every year, all faculty and staff participate in training aimed at eliminating harassment, intimidation, and hostile workplace and learning environments on campus.
Bias and Discrimination Awareness Training
Leadership teams and educators engage in specialized training to deepen awareness of bias and discrimination in the workplace and to equip them to foster a more inclusive culture.
Expanding Scholarship Access
Austin Prep has expanded scholarship programs, offering full and partial scholarships to students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring greater access to an Augustinian education. Our recruitment efforts draw students from approximately 60 communities. Over the last several years, Austin Prep has awarded more than $2.8 million in scholarships and assistance to students from diverse communities. We engage staff with connections to communities of color to assist in our outreach. Our admissions team attends regional admissions fairs in ethnically diverse communities, extending invitations to visit the Austin Prep campus.
Austin Prep’s admissions strategies are reviewed on an annual basis to advance our outreach to diverse prospective students and families. This has been a priority of the Board of Trustees and the Head of School.
Student Voices and Perspectives
We host small group discussions with all students during Advisory and the Austin Mentor programs that invite students of diverse backgrounds to share their insight into their experiences at Austin Prep and to ensure that all students have opportunities to build a sense of belonging.
Participation in National Diversity Conferences
Students and faculty actively engage in diversity and leadership conferences, such as the National Race Amity Conference, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference, and the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) Middle School Students of Color Conference. These experiences enrich not only the participants but the entire Austin Prep community as they share insights and best practices.
Academic Excellence Rooted in Truth
At Austin Prep, the pursuit of Veritas—truth—guides our academic mission. We are called not only to seek knowledge but to engage with the most essential questions of life: What is justice? What does it mean to be human? How do we live in a world marked by both unity and difference? Inspired by our Augustinian tradition, we cultivate an environment where students explore these questions through rigorous inquiry, dialogue, and debate. Our commitment to academic excellence demands that we study authors, artists, and thinkers from a range of perspectives and traditions, ensuring that every student develops a broad and deep understanding of the world.
A Curriculum That Expands Minds and Perspectives
A research-based and mission-driven approach informs the development of our curriculum. Faculty, administrators, and leading experts collaborate to design courses and programs that not only increase knowledge but also nurture global citizenship and enrich the development of the whole student. Through both classroom and co-curricular experiences, Austin Prep students are challenged to engage with diverse voices, histories, and ideas—expanding their understanding of the human experience.
In recent years, we have introduced courses that deepen cultural awareness and broaden perspectives, including:
Voices on the Fringe
Passing in Literature
Contemporary World Literature
Giants of Asia
Stories of Africa
Demystifying the Middle East
Nationalism and Identity in Latin America
Women in American History
Mandarin Language Studies (beginning in 6th grade)
Global Studies
World Religions
The Holocaust Examined
These courses prepare students to be thoughtful, engaged, and responsible citizens of an interconnected world. Our all-school summer reading program reinforces this mission by inviting students, faculty, and staff to explore the lived experiences of diverse communities. Recent selections have included I Am Malala, Outcasts United, Out of My Mind, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, A Chance in the World.
Investing in Faculty Excellence
Academic excellence is inseparable from the growth and development of our faculty. Austin Prep is committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning, ensuring that educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach a diverse student body. Through professional development, faculty engage with best practices in curriculum design, pedagogy, and cultural proficiency, strengthening our shared commitment to an inclusive and intellectually rigorous school environment.
Faculty and administrators have participated in professional development opportunities offered by:
University of Notre Dame
Boston College
Assumption University
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
PD Collab
National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
On-campus initiatives have further enhanced faculty training, including:
A Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice course taught in collaboration with Merrimack College
Implicit Bias Workshop by Dr. Joseph Cooper
Intercultural and Implicit Bias Training led by Dr. Crystal Kuykendall
Dr. Mary Jane Rein, Director of Center for Civic Friendship, Assumption University, with History teachers
Our commitment to academic excellence, grounded in Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas, ensures that Austin Prep students are not only well-educated but also well-prepared to lead with integrity, wisdom, and compassion in a complex and ever-changing world.
At Austin Prep, the pursuit of truth calls us to engage with voices that challenge, inspire, and deepen our understanding of the world. Our School-Wide Speaker Series brings distinguished thought leaders to campus, offering students opportunities to explore critical issues related to ethics, justice, leadership, and global citizenship. Recognizing the developmental stages of our students, each speaker crafts their message to resonate with their audience, fostering meaningful dialogue at every grade level.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the Explore the St. Augustine Lecture Series, established in 2015 to enrich the intellectual life of our school community. Each year, a distinguished scholar or public figure is invited to share insights that align with our annual theme.
Dr. Joseph Kelley | 2025
Sister Tracey Matthia Dugas, F.S.P. | 2024
Steve Burton, Ralph Martin, Robert Coughlin | 2023
Fr. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A. | 2022
Fr. Bryan Herir | 2021
Dr. Crystal Kuykendall | 2020
Rev. Raymond Dlugos, O.S.A. | 2019
Grace Cotter Regan | 2018
Dr. Steven DiSalvo | 2017
Major General Charles W. Whittington, Jr. | 2016
Brian Montgomery | 2015
Continuing the Journey
Our commitment to mission, inclusion, and belonging is ongoing. Inspired by the restless heart of St. Augustine, we recognize that this work is never finished—it is a continuous journey of listening, learning, and growing together as a community of faith and scholarship. We invite you to walk with us, engage in these efforts, and help shape a future where Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas guide us ever forward.
Projects Include:
Securing more than a $200,000 commitment from an alumnus to be exclusively used to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Conducting annual mandatory training for the faculty and staff aimed at the elimination of harassment, intimidation, and hostile workplace and learning environments on campus.
Initiating training to heighten awareness around bias and discrimination in the workplace, including specific training for management and those in leadership positions.
Developed guidance for the search and hiring process.
Expanding scholarship programs to fund numerous full and partial scholarships for students of diverse backgrounds.
Hosting small group discussions with diverse students to gain greater insight into their experiences at Austin Prep and to provide diverse students opportunities to voice their perspectives.
Supporting and encouraging students and staff to participate in diversity conferences and workshops each year. These fully-funded opportunities include participation in conferences such as the National Association of Independent Schools’ (NAIS) Annual People of Color Conference, the Association of Independent Schools of New England’s (AISNE) Middle School Students of Color Conference, and AISNE leadership conferences that feature experts on diversity, equity, and inclusion. All students and staff benefit from the experiences as conference participants share their experiences with the larger Austin Prep community.
A delegation of Faculty and Staff at the NAIS conference in Nashville.
Admissions and Tuition Assistance
Austin Prep undertakes recruitment efforts that draw students from approximately 60 communities. Over the last several years, Austin Prep has awarded more than $2.8 million in scholarships and assistance to students from diverse communities. We engage staff with connections to communities of color to assist in our outreach. Our admissions team attends regional admissions fairs in ethnically diverse communities, extending invitations to visit the Austin Prep campus.
Austin Prep’s admissions strategies are reviewed on an annual basis to advance Austin Prep’s outreach to diverse prospective students and families. This has been a priority of the Board of Trustees and the Head of School.
Austin Prep students have benefited from Catholic School Foundation (CSF) grants and aid. Shown above is Cardinal Seán O'Malley speaking to Archdiocese of Boston CSF Scholars at a recent event.
Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, Austin Prep's 2020 St. Augustine Lecturer, speaks to the Austin Prep community.
At Austin Prep, we cultivate servant leadership and a commitment to justice through meaningful engagement with history, culture, and community service. Our partnership with St. Mary of the Assumption Parish and the St. Vincent de Paul Society has allowed us to provide Thanksgiving meals, Christmas gifts, and Easter baskets for over 1,600 people living in the Lawrence area, reinforcing our mission to serve those in need.
Students develop leadership skills by participating in Race Amity conferences, student of color conferences, and Cushing Academy’s annual Girls Leadership Summits in STEM, Arts, and Sports.
Students attend leadership conferences sponsored by the National Center for Race Amity in Boston and Atlanta, NAIS, and AISNE. Students in Grade 9 also participate in a Model UN Day where they act as diplomats and debate and find solutions to global issues.
We challenge our students to critically examine history and to be active participants in building a more just world. Austin Prep has welcomed distinguished speakers across a range of disciplines, enriching the intellectual and moral formation of our students and teachers. These guests, including scholars, artists, entrepreneurs, survivors, and public servants, share their expertise and life experiences, connecting their work to our mission. Each of these speakers helps shape a community where students encounter diverse voices, engage with meaningful ideas, and reflect on their own roles in shaping a more just and compassionate world.
Students attend the Race Amity Conference.
Melodie Wyttenbach, Director of the Roche Center for Catholic Education, Hispanic Influence on the Catholic Church in America, PD for teachers
Pablo Eduardo, Bolivian sculptor (Boston Marathon Memorial), How Sculpting Enriches Life, art students
Explore the Tenreiro Family visit, Owners of T’ahpas 529, La Quchara, Culture and Running a Business, Spanish Club and Entrepreneurship Club
Fr. Augustin Anda, Priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, celebrated Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Spanish classes
Read about Kati Preston, Holocaust survivor, author, and public speaker, shared her life story, entire student body
Tom White, Director of the Cohen Center for Genocide and Holocaust Studies, Auschwitz, Martin Luther King Jr., entire Middle School and Holocaust classes
View the Floor Lords visit, internationally recognized dance troupe, taught dance classes and American Experience History class
Jerry Epps, Babson College, Vendor Diversity, Future Business Leaders of America
Godfrey Muwulya, internationally recognized traditional Ugandan drummer and dancer, entire Middle School and Music classes
Nicole Stewart, Director of Boston CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Bio and Job Insight, Psychology classes
Alumnus JT Harold, Cambridge Police Officer, Inclusion Club
Alumna Dr. Kasey Mastrocolla, Forensic Psychologist, Bio and Job Insight, Psychology classes
Alumna Renee Dudley, author of The Ransomware Hunting Team, Bio and Book Promo, English classes
Peter Koutoujian, Middlesex Sheriff, Armenian History and Culture, Armenian Club and World History classes
Attorney Anthony Barasmian, Armenian Genocide, Upper School students
Alumnus Michael Nuttall, ATF Agent, Bio & Job Insight, European History classes and Dance class
Kristen Levine, author of Lions of Little Rock, PD with English teachers Cassandra Thompson and Stephanie Choate
Marcus Watson, School Counselor, International Students Director, and Social Worker, Psychology Club and Introduction to Sociology class
Dr. Mary Jane Rein, Director of the Center for Civic Friendship, Assumption University, with History classes
Dr. Joseph Cooper, Chair of Sport Leadership and Administration at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), Middle School students
Student Travel
At Austin Prep, we believe that travel is a powerful tool for education, broadening students’ perspectives and deepening their understanding of global cultures, languages, and faith traditions. Our international programs immerse students in transformative experiences that connect classroom learning to the world beyond our campus.
In March, as part of the 8th Grade Civics Capstone trip, students visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Students exploring Japanese culture journey to Kyoto and Tokyo, where they engage with Japan’s rich history, language, and religious traditions, from Shinto shrines to Buddhist temples. Our French language students travel to Québec, experiencing the vibrancy of French-Canadian culture while strengthening their linguistic skills. Rome and Vatican City provide an unparalleled opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the heart of Catholicism, visiting sacred sites, engaging in theological reflection, and witnessing the living traditions of the Church.
With an eye toward expanding these opportunities, Austin Prep is planning future trips to Montréal to further explore French heritage, Spain to engage with its dynamic Muslim influence, rich history, and Catholic identity, and Africa to deepen students’ awareness of global cultures and traditions. These experiences serve as a foundation for students to grow as global citizens, embracing the values of our mission to inspire minds to inquire, hearts to unite, and hands to serve—wherever their journeys take them.
Students on their trip to Japan learn more about Japanese culture.
