Austin Prep Middle School Makes Catholic School History

Before a single backpack is packed or school bell rings this fall, Austin Prep’s Middle School is stepping into the new academic year with a historic national honor that places the School and Catholic education in the national spotlight.

Austin Prep has become the first private school in New England and the first Catholic school in the United States ever to be named a School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), the leading international organization dedicated to young adolescent education.

“Being named an AMLE School of Distinction is an incredible honor, but making history makes it truly exceptional,” said Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School. “This recognition reflects the heart, hard work, and dedication of our entire community.”

For Head of School Dr. James Hickey, the historic milestone represents years of deliberate, compassionate planning grounded in faith and community.

“It recognizes something our faculty and staff have been building with great care — careful attention to how young adolescents learn best, and a sustained commitment to creating a place where every student belongs.”

Recognized for Belonging: Known Before They’re Challenged

A primary reason AMLE selected Austin Prep is the School’s deep commitment to student well-being, rooted in its Augustinian tradition of unity (Unitas) and authentic relationship-building. Central to this approach is the School’s hallmark Advisory Program, where small groups of students meet daily with a faculty mentor to build trust, empathy, and essential life skills grounded in Christian charity (Caritas).

The model was so central to Austin Prep’s recognition that AMLE featured it as a national exemplar in its handbook on middle school advisory programming. This fall, McLaughlin and Assistant Dean of Student Life Alicia Varraso will travel to Nashville to present Austin Prep’s framework to educators from across the country at the AMLE National Conference.

“Advisory is the highlight of my day,” McLaughlin noted. “It’s where trust is built through presence and real conversation — a place to help students navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and ensure every child is truly known.”

Celebrated for Innovation: Learning Worth Remembering

AMLE also celebrated Austin Prep’s dynamic curriculum, which puts the Augustinian search for truth (Veritas) into practice by transforming traditional middle school subjects into active, hands-on discovery that engages students as creators, scientists, authors, and advocates.

That philosophy takes shape across every grade level. Sixth graders step into the role of historians as they curate and present artifact galleries for an interactive Egyptian Museum and as scientists conducting real-world ecological research along the Aberjona River. Seventh graders analyze simulated medical cases in Life Science and write original novels. By eighth grade, students sharpen their public speaking and critical thinking in Mock Trial. Across all subjects, classroom learning consistently connects to real-world impact and service to others.

“We aren't just preparing students for their next chapter; we are deeply invested in the chapter they are writing right now,” McLaughlin shared. “Our Catholic identity and Augustinian heritage empower us to cultivate a culture where students have the agency to explore big questions about God's world and their place within it.”

As a new academic year begins, the distinction places Austin Prep in unprecedented company: no private school in New England and no Catholic school anywhere in the United States had previously earned the AMLE School of Distinction honor. For the Austin Prep community, the recognition serves as a national validation of what can happen when young adolescents are known as individuals, supported by a faith-filled community, and encouraged to engage deeply with the world around them.