Welcometo Holy Spirit Preparatory School

1

oly Spirit Preparatory School seeks to create a unique communion of joy for its students, their families, and its faculty in a faithfully Catholic environment.

We offer a challenging curriculum to form the heart, mind, body, and soul, as well as opportunities to serve others in the school and larger communities. In keeping with our

motto, ministrāre non ministrārī, “to serve and not be served,” we are dedicated to developing the next generation of servant-leaders.

Our three beautiful campuses are designed to nurture each student academically, spiritually, athletically, and artistically through study, play, and prayer. Our STEM labs encourage students to solve problems and engage in the creative process. Our stunning chapels offer sanctuaries of peace for those seeking a moment in prayer. Our scholars draw from the quiet of our libraries to deepen their study and research.

Our campuses are alive: A week does not pass without a rich schedule of Masses, athletic events, club meetings, apostolate events, House challenges, service opportunities, and performances. The day-to-day life of our school is a dynamic dance of scholarship, prayer, service, sports, and arts. It offers the fulfilling work of thinking and believing, questioning and creating, singing and debating, running and laughing with a close-knit community that makes our school feel like family.

Of course, the best way to learn about Holy Spirit Prep is to walk the halls, browse the library, reflect in St. Joseph’s Oratory, or pray in the Lower School Chapel. Come cheer our games or enjoy the talent of our young performers. You will see why Holy Spirit Prep offers an inspired and unparalleled education for your child.

Yours in joyful service,

Kyle M. Pietrantonio Head of School

H

2

Our Mission and Vision

3

Finally, we want them to embody magnanimity – a greatness of character and of soul – such that they may go through life with a spirit of courage, a spirit of joy, a spirit of kindness, and a spirit of generosity.

VisionWe strive to be the preeminent pre-K2 through 12th grade Catholic college preparatory school in the country, graduating young men and women who personify the Portrait of the HSP Graduate.

Missione seek to create a unique communion of joy among students, their families, and our faculty and staff, in the context of a pre-eminent pre-K2

through 12th grade Catholic college preparatory school. We want to prepare our students for a lifetime of happiness by inculcating in them three foundational virtues. 

First, we want them to have a deep and abiding  faith in God’s blessings and love for them.

Second, we want them to exercise prudence – the ability to make good decisions for the rest of their lives by obtaining a rigorous academic foundation accompanied by the use of their own powers of reason.

W

We want to prepare our students for a lifetime of happiness by inculcating in them three foundational virtues: faith, prudence, and magnanimity.

4

A Communion of Joy “To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the

parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.”

— Pope St. John Paul II

65

very human being forms unions with others – at home, at school, in the workplace, and in social settings. The most important of all communions is the

one we have with God. The next most important communion is within our families, and beyond this is our community of faith.

In this way, Holy Spirit Prep fosters a community of joy by providing opportunities for parents and families to grow in the knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith.

We also provide social outings such as the Fun Run, Advent Vespers and Roma Night in which families and students can participate in community.

Holy Spirit Prep promotes many ways in which community members can participate in service outreach, embrace new families, and, for alumni, maintain a life long connection to the school and community.

We build this community of joy through the day-to-day life of the school and through programs and events, including:

Service Opportunities:• Parent Volunteer Association: Supporting

numerous social, educational, and spiritualevents.

• Dad’s Club: A collaborative organization of HSPmen who support and enhance the growthand success of the school.

• Connections: A community of womencommitted to building faith and nurturingspiritual growth.

• Inspiratio: A committee that plans educationalopportunities for parents.

Support Opportunities:• The Annual Fund: The primary fund in

support of the school community.

• The Spring Gala: Supports the Teachers’Continuing Education Fund and the Teachers’Children Tuition Assistance Fund.

• The Trinitas Giving Society: Recognizes theannual generosity of those who generouslysupport Holy Spirit Prep across a range ofgiving priorities.

• Patron of the Arts Society: Gifts to this fundsupport HSP’s visual and performing artsprograms, and the society’s work to enhanceexternal partnerships with the arts communityof Atlanta.

• Athletics Booster Club (Cougars Corner):Gifts to our athletics program support newequipment and fee waivers for our studentathletes from preschool to twelfth grade.

E

6

Faith “The faith by which we live shall never vary in any age… for one is the faith which sanctifies the just of all ages.”  

— Pope St. Leo the Great

7

oly Spirit Prep seeks to form the Catholic person by instilling the principles of the gospel in our students and their families. This involves more

than teaching doctrines. St. Francis of Assisi told his followers: “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” In that light, the greatest measurement of our success is reflected in our graduates living the gospel in their daily lives.

We are proud that our students not only understand their faith, but can and do share it knowledgeably with others.

We firmly believe that parents are the primary educators of their children, and we seek to become your partner in the formation of your child. We invite you, parents, to also partner by becoming deeply involved in the faith and daily life of our school.

We welcome non-Catholic students and families to HSP and celebrate the gifts you bring to our communion of faith.

Highlights of Faith at Holy Spirit Prep:• Masses offered regularly at each campus

• Sacramental preparation

• Adoration

• Living Rosaries

• Retreats

• Spiritual direction

• Service to local, regional, and international communities

• Confession

• Apostolates, clubs devoted to service inspired by faith

H

We firmly believe that parents are the primary educators of their children, and we seek to become your partner in the formation of your child.

8

Academics “The mission of schools is to develop a sense of truth, of what is good and

beautiful. True education enables us to love life and opens us to the fullness of life.”

— Pope Francis

9

joyful, Christ-centered, college prep environment nourishes our students. Every child is made in the image and likeness of God and we teach that God

loves and cares and has a plan for each and every one of them. To this end, we provide hands-on, multi-sensory learning experiences and activities that inspire spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth.

Our core academic programs are unashamedly geared to average and above average college-bound students while our personalization, small class sizes, complimentary tutorials and honors and advanced placement programs ensure that every one of our students can find an appropriate level of academic rigor and success.

Personalized learning: With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 at the Preschool and a maximum class size of 22 at the Lower and Upper School, Holy Spirit Prep provides personalized learning and individualized attention in a warm and caring environment.

Education for every student: Students have different learning needs and styles, and Holy Spirit Prep strives to accommodate those learning needs through our Seton Center for our most academically advanced students, as well as our John Carroll and Benedict XVI Resource Centers for students with mild, language-based learning differences.

Exceptional faculty: We recognize that student growth and development hinges on the student’s relationship with effective teachers who continually develop themselves professionally. We embrace the belief that teachers are answering a call, a vocation, to care continually for their students and be ministers of faith.

A

Holy Spirit Prep instills a love of learning in our students while preparing them for college and life.

10

Student Leadership

Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders in the workplace, family, community, and

government. For this reason, Holy Spirit Prep nurtures leadership at every grade level.

11

eadership training cultivates the qualities of respect, reverence, and responsibility. From the earliest years until a student graduates for college,

leadership forms a central role in the Holy Spirit Prep educational experience.

Preschool: The Preschool program offers leadership opportunities at an early age. Starting in our 2-year-old program, each student is assigned a classroom job such as line leader, calendar helper, weather helper, flag holder, and snack helper.

Lower School: From line leaders to Mass readers, Lower School students take on servant leadership roles beginning in Kindergarten. Starting in third grade, students serve as “buddies” or mentors to children in younger grades and represent their class on the Lower School Student Council.

The House System: Beginning in fifth grade, each student is assigned to one of four Houses: Chalcedon, Lyons, Nicaea, or Trent. Their House, made up of students from 5th-12th grade, becomes like their family during their time at Holy Spirit Prep. Houses plan activities, fundraisers, and service projects, and form healthy competitions with other Houses. The House system is Holy Spirit Prep’s primary vehicle for student leadership opportunities with an abundance of leadership roles at each grade level, from our junior high representatives and freshman prefects, to our senior House presidents and Head Boy and Head Girl.

L

From the earliest years until a student graduates for college, leadership forms a central role in the Holy Spirit Prep educational experience.

12

The Arts“None can sense more deeply than you artists,

ingenious creators of beauty that you are, something of the pathos with which God at the dawn of creation looked upon the work of his hands.“

— Pope St. John Paul II

1413

rich art education teaches communication, encourages the expression of ideas and feelings, and helps to establish values. Students

of every ability can perform, create, and see the beauty of their creative pursuits and the pursuits of others.

Preschool Arts: The Preschool arts program introduces prominent artists in history, offers contact with a wide variety of art materials, and builds on fundamental fine-motor skills – all with a Christ-centered nucleus. The music program introduces our students to the many genres of music, including traditional, classical, folk and seasonal.

Lower School Arts: The visual arts curriculum of the Lower School at Holy Spirit Prep provides the students with exposure to varied art media. While encouraging creativity and self-direction, students explore ways to connect their art to other areas of study. The Lower School’s performing arts program also allows students to connect their music and theater experiences to their history, culture, and faith. Lower School students participate in plays at every grade level, and have several choirs to choose from.

Upper School Arts: Holy Spirit Prep’s Upper School offers a wide range of courses in the visual arts, from introductory classes in basic studio concepts to advanced placement courses designed to build a college application portfolio. In the performing arts, Holy Spirit Prep stages two major productions each year – a full length play in the fall and a spring musical. Holy Spirit Prep’s liturgical choir inspires congregations as they lead worship for the Holy Spirit Church community.

Other Art Highlights:• Roma Night: An all-school art showcase

supporting the annual senior trip to Rome.

• Ingenium: Holy Spirit Prep’s arts and literary magazine.

• Art Shows: The annual archdiocesan art show and Holy Spirit Prep’s own annual art show.

A

While encouraging creativity and self-direction, students explore ways to connect their art to other areas of study.

14

Athletics “Sport, properly directed, develops character, makes a man courageous, a generous loser,

and a gracious victor; it refines the senses, gives intellectual penetration, and steels

the will to endurance.”

— Pope Pius XII

15

thletics serve an integral role in the mission of the school and the formation of our young men and women. We strive for excellence in

every sport. We also teach our athletes to be magnanimous and charitable in victory. Conversely, when our athletes are not victorious, we impart to them that one of the true benefits of participating is in the effort and the journey, and that losing gracefully builds the kind of character that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

Encouraging Participation: We are proud that the size of Holy Spirit Prep allows each and every student to pursue success as an athlete. At HSP, students are encouraged and supported to play on more than one team.

Competitive Achievements: Holy Spirit Prep teams and students have achieved great success over the years, from state championships in football, tennis, and cross country, to numerous region championships in virtually every sport. In addition, Holy Spirit Prep students have earned athletic scholarships and gone on to play a variety of sports on interscholastic college teams.

Current Sports

• Football • Golf

• Flag football • Tennis

• Cross country • Baseball

• Volleyball • Track and field

• Basketball • Archery

• Soccer • Cheerleading

A

Holy Spirit Prep teams and students have achieved great success over the years, from state championships in football, tennis, and cross country, to numerous region championships in virtually every sport.

16

College Counseling

“If you are who you are meant to be, you will set the world on fire.” 

— St. Catherine of Sienna

17

iscovering one’s God-given potential requires an ongoing supportive environment. That’s why college counseling is a vital part of the Upper

School experience.

Junior High: In early Upper School, we work with students to develop their passions, find leadership opportunities, engage in community service, and take informative assessments.

Freshmen and Sophomores: From the beginning of their high school career, students work with the college counselor to establish their academic course load, explore career options, prepare for standardized tests, build resumes, and schedule summer enrichment opportunities.

Junior Year: College admissions planning begins early in the junior year as our students research universities and colleges. This inquiry complements the growing awareness of themselves and allows students to sense the type of institution that fits their needs. We offer counseling and other tools to support this process and create a college short-list.

Senior Year: Students continue to explore colleges through on-campus visits, tours, and college fairs. In close collaboration with the college counselor, students complete their college applications by the beginning of the first quarter, and maintain close communication with the college counselor about

new opportunities in college visits and scholarships. Students carefully weigh their college offers under advisement from the college counselor.

College Counseling Programs:

• One-on-one Meetings: Junior and senior students and parents meet with the college counselor for individualized college planning, including selection lists, financial options, and consideration of majors.

• Lunch and Learns: These monthly workshops explore important college, career, and leadership topics.

• College Planning Night: Families learn from experts in college planning, admissions, financing, test scores, GPAs, and what colleges seek.

• College Representative Visits: Nearly 100 college representatives visit Holy Spirit Prep each year for recruiting and relationship building.

• Financial Aid Night: Students and parents learn about scholarship opportunities, financial planning, Georgia-specific financial aid, and how private colleges extend aid.

• Test Preparation: students who demonstrate potential for success on the PSATs receive intensive training for the SATs.

D

Nearly 100 college representatives visit Holy Spirit Prep each year for recruiting and relationship building.

18

Alumni“I’ll always remember road-tripping to away games

with a crew of Cougar fans, tucking in our ties to play basketball at lunch, and hanging out in the

library or Cougar Café after school.”

— Michael Agrippina, ‘11

19

hile our alumni scatter across the globe after graduation, we love that they come back home to Holy Spirit Prep. There are a number of ways our alumni

stay in touch with HSP after graduation, including:

• The Alumni Pigskin Classic

• The Christmas Eve brunch

• Homecoming

• Alumni pages on social media

• The Alumni Association

• The Alumni Leadership Conference

“ ”“The smaller class size allowed me to focus more attentively and create strong work habits.”

— Devon Fernandez, ‘13

“The greatest lessons I learned in school were not taken from textbooks or lectures; it was from the teachers who offered an insightful perspective on life.”

— Max Jones, ‘08

“I was involved in the founding of the Beta Club and our main project was creating a volunteer program. This has left a unique mark on me and I strive to volunteer and give back to the community as much as possible.”

— Charlotte Lambert, ‘07

“I loved having access to the chapel all the time—if you were ever having a tough day, you could step in and get some peace.”

— Michael Agrippina, ’11

“I always used to say that Holy Spirit Prep was like a family and I still look at it that way. You got the feeling people cared about you as a whole person.”

— Elizabeth Hanna, ‘08

“Holy Spirit Prep always encouraged me to be a better person than I was the day before. The spiritual aspect was incredible and helped me further develop my relationship with God.”

— Domi Thomas, ‘09

“The level of difficulty of the schoolwork helped me to not feel overwhelmed by the amount of homework that I receive on a daily basis in college.”

— Bryanna Rice, ‘12

“Being a student leader taught me how to communicate effectively and be the respectful, confident, and independent person I am today.”

— Blair Brown, ‘08

“My parents’ decision to enroll me at Holy Spirit Prep changed my life. In fact, two of my high school classmates were bridesmaids in my wedding.”

— Taylor Corey, ‘07

W

20

Portrait of a Graduate

At Holy Spirit Prep, we are committed to graduating men and women who

recognize their infinite value and dignity as persons made in God’s own image.

21

At Holy Spirit Prep, we are committed to graduating men and women who:

• Recognize their infinite value and dignity as persons made in God’s own image;

• embRace and live the teachings of the Catholic faith;

• FoRm their consciences according to the objective truth of the Gospel;

• PRay daily, attend Mass faithfully, and contemplate the beauty of Creation;

• TReasuRe the blessings of their own families;

• aPPRoach relationships with love and with hope in the goodness of others;

• shaRe the love of Christ with those who do not yet know Him;

• seek to be happy and generous husbands and wives, and fathers and mothers, when called to married life;

• seek to be happy and generous in their vocations when called to the priesthood or religious life;

• Possess an integrated knowledge of traditional academic disciplines in the arts and sciences;

• Think deeply, logically, imaginatively, and prayerfully to make decisions according to right reason;

• communicaTe clearly through both the written and spoken word;

• PaRTiciPaTe confidently in diverse athletic, artistic, and intellectual pursuits;

• mainTain healthy habits of work, leisure, exercise, and rest;

• embRace their civic duty to improve their communities through personal engagement;

• Possess magnanimous character with generous hearts;

• aPPReciaTe profoundly the Holy Spirit Prep communion, and consider themselves as sustaining members of it;

• seRve as leaders in their college, parish, and social communities;

• uTilize technology and media responsibly to foster authentic relationships;

• PRoTecT the dignity of the unborn, the aged, the poor, and the suffering;

• ResPecT cultures and beliefs not their own in Christian charity;

• ThiRsT to acquire new knowledge continually;

• exPeRience the true freedom that is the fruit of virtuous living;

• look forward with joyful hope to spending eternity with God in heaven.

22

4449 Northside DriveAtlanta, Georgia 30327www.holyspiritprep.org