The Top Six “Wins” of 2023-2024…and an Honorable Mention

          At the annual retreat, I ask the staff to identify the top “wins” of the previous academic year. It’s important to deliberately pause and celebrate wins along the way – progress – that reflect the great experience and lasting formation of an Austin Prep education. This year six notable initiatives made the list – and one honorable mention. 

# 1 – Willow Street to the World

          We’ve taken to heart St. Augustine’s observation that the “the world is a book and those that do not travel read only one page.” Austin Prep students and staff had some exciting travel opportunities this year. Some were to places we travel each year and others were to places that were new and novel. Each trip created an experience found in no book or classroom and nurtured some wisdom to navigate the Journey ahead.

• Remembrance Journey – 50 students and 5 faculty traveled to Berlin, Prague, and Krakow over the April break as an extension of our Holocaust Examined course. Students confronted the evils of the Holocaust at sites like the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau and visited several memorials and museums. Masses at the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague and a Franciscan monastery in Poland provided students with the opportunity to pray and to reflect on the martyrdoms of Saint Edith Stein and Saint Maximilian Kolbe who were killed in the concentration camps.
• Faculty Summer Sabbaticals – History teacher Kristen Donnelly, spent her 2023 summer sabbatical in the United Kingdom, exploring historical sites in London and attending a seminar at Cambridge University, which inspired her to develop an immersive Renaissance Faire project with her seventh-grade students. Math teacher Natalie Petrillo, P’10 traveled to Barcelona to study Picasso's works and explore the intersection of art and mathematics.
• Student Augustinian Values Institute (SAVI) – A delegation of Austin Prep students and faculty traveled to Malvern Prep in Malvern, PA just outside Philadelphia. Malvern was the host school this year for the annual gathering of students from Augustinian Schools across North America.
• National Race Amity Conference – A delegation of Austin Prep students traveled to Atlanta, GA to participate in the National Race Amity Conference. The conference brings together thought leaders, students, and advocates to advance social justice.
• Augustinian Student Exchange Program – An initiative of the Augustinian Secondary School Association, Austin Prep was part of a pilot exchange program among Augustinian schools. To facilitate the exchange of ideas, our students visited Malvern Prep for a few days in the fall, and we reciprocated by hosting a delegation of Malvern Prep students in the spring.
• Nike Outdoor Nationals – student-athletes from our Track and Field Team qualified for this national competition and traveled to the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR.
• Softball Team Spring Training – The Varsity Softball Team traveled to Orlando, FL to kick-off spring training by participating in a tournament that brought together teams from across the United States to compete. They also had an opportunity for some team bonding in Universal Studios.
• 8th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C. – This standard bearer is a rite of passage for our 8th grade each year as they travel to our nation’s capital to immerse themselves in the study of government and civics.
• 12th Grade Trip to Walt Disney World – In its eleventh year, this capstone trip for the graduating class is a special experience that creates lasting memories and deepens friendships before the seniors head off to college and begin their journey beyond 101 Willow Street.
• NAIS Annual Conference – A small cohort of Austin Prep faculty and staff traveled to St. Louis, MO to participate in the Annual Conference of the National Association of Independent Schools. With attendees that number in the thousands each year, the conference is the largest gathering in the nation of independent school educators who come together to strengthen private education.
• Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) – Middle school teachers and instructional leaders traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the AMLE’s annual conference. With more than 35,000 members AMLE hosts this conference to advance best practices in teaching and learning in middle school. This year, Austin Prep teachers presented a workshop and contributed to a publication on our Advisory program.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, we have confirmed trips for students and staff to travel to Japan, Canada, Vatican City and Italy, Bermuda, Orlando, Washington, D.C., and the United Kingdom. Stay tuned for details.

# 2 – Banner Year in College Counseling

          The Class of 2024 is off and away. They left 101 Willow Street as the newest members of the Augustinian cavalry who enter the world to work in the Lord’s Vineyard. The Class of 2024 were admitted to many of the finest colleges and universities in the United States, Europe, and even Australia. Of particular note, members of the Class of 2024 were admitted to the Ivy League, NESCAC, colleges and universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report as top liberal arts schools and top universities, and flagship public universities across the nation. Three students were commissioned at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and one student was commissioned at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Nearly 35 students are continuing their athletic careers at the college level, including thirteen graduates on the Baseball Team who will be playing college baseball.

# 3 – Austin Prep Lives the Christmas Spirit

          During the Christmas season this year, one parent said to me “Austin Prep knows how to do Christmas.” We couldn’t agree more. The Christmas season at Austin Prep is bursting with activities grounded in faith, fellowship, and holiday spirit that animate the Augustinian keystones of veritas, unitas, and caritas. We are understandably proud of the many Christmas traditions that take place each year – door decorating, Austin Prep’s unique rendition of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and Lesson and Carols, Advent liturgies, supporting families in need in partnership with St. Mary’s of the Assumption in Lawrence, and the Head of School’s Open House for the senior class, to name a few. And this past year, we added for added for the first time an Austin Prep Christmas Tree Lighting that featured the 6th grade choir.

# 4 – Austin Prep Drops Anchor in the NEPSAC

          The 2023-2024 was Austin Prep’s second year of membership in the New England Preparatory Athletic Council (NEPSAC). Broadly speaking, it was another year of growth and progress. Thirteen students on our Track and Field Team traveled to Oregon to participate in the Nike Outdoor Nationals, considered by many to be the pinnacle national competition. The girls Track Team won the 4x4 and the boys Team captured the 800 meter NEPSAC championship. Austin Prep worked with peer schools and created a new girls hockey league, and we signed a 20-year lease with Ristuccia Memorial Ice Rink to create a home arena for our hockey programs. Baseball went undefeated (the second time in three years) and had 14 college commits (13 seniors and 1 junior). And 34 Austin Prep athletes from the Class of 2024 will be continuing their athletic career at the college level. According to the NCAA, the overall estimated probability of competing in college athletics is a little over 6%. At Austin Prep, 22.5% of the graduating class defied the odds.

# 5 – Air Conditioning Goes Live During September 2023 Heat Wave

          There’s an expression that timing is everything. And, at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, ours was impeccable. Last summer, Austin Prep began a multi-year classroom modernization project. The scope of the project – which is not complete – is considerable and includes new technology, LED lights, windows, ceilings, and HVAC. In addition to a new, energy-efficient heating system, the newly installed HVAC system also includes air conditioning. At the risk of sounding a little boastful, when the oppressive heat and humidity rolled in for about two weeks at the start of the academic year and schools were cancelling classes, Austin Prep students were attending class in a very comfortable setting.

          From our vantage point, the $5.1 million HVAC and classroom modernization project is an indication of Austin Prep’s bright future and continued growth. It’s also a symbolic step forward as we rise to meet the challenge of the next 60 years and beyond.

# 6 – Austin Prep 60th Anniversary Comes to a Close in Style

          There were three events during the 2023-2024 school year that marked the conclusion of Austin Prep’s 60th Anniversary. The Archbishop of Boston, His Eminence Sean Cardinal O’Malley, celebrated Austin Prep’s annual Convocation liturgy to mark the end of 60 transformative years. And he came bearing a gift. At the conclusion of the mass, Cardinal Sean gave all the students and staff a “Cardinal’s Holiday” – a day off which Austin Prep observed on Friday, March 15. In September, Austin Prep hosted a black-tie gala at the Burlington Marriott with more than 300 guests to celebrate our diamond anniversary. And lastly, nearly 200 alumni returned to campus in April for a 60th anniversary celebration.

          St. Augustine believed that God could be discovered best in the company of friends. In that regard, we did our part to strengthen a community formed in veritas, unitas, and caritas. 

Honorable Mention – Cubby Retires, Auggie Joins the Staff

          During the fall pep rally, Austin Prep’s longtime mascot, Cubby, who faithfully served Austin Prep for 60 years, retired. After an exhaustive national search, we were very fortunate to bring Auggie on board. And I know he’s looking forward to another spectacular year at Austin Prep.