Type Private, Coeducational Established 1996 Rector Msgr. Edward Dillon Mascot cougar | Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic CEEB code 110-151 Phone +1 404-252-8008 Colors Green, Gold | |
Motto Ministrare non Ministari
(To Serve not to be Served) Address 4465 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30327, USA Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Similar Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lovett School, Marist School, The Westmins Schools, Atlanta Internatio School Profiles | ||
Holy Spirit Preparatory School is an independent, Roman Catholic preparatory school located in Atlanta, Georgia. It was established in 1996, originally as the Donnellan School. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Contents
Location and administration
The students in Kindergarten through 6th grade are located on a multi-acre site at 4820 Long Island Drive. The Preschool program is located at 4465 Northside Drive on the lower level of Holy Spirit Catholic Church adjacent to the 57,000 sq ft (5,300 m2) Upper School campus which opened in the fall of 2005.
Although an independent Catholic school it is closely tied to Holy Spirit Parish and the pastor of the parish, Monsignor Edward Dillon, serves on the Board of the school. It is led by its Head of School, Kyle M. Pietrantonio.
Curriculum
Holy Spirit Preparatory School offers a classically inspired curriculum in both Greek and Latin, and instructs students in Catholic theology as well as typical college preparatory subjects and numerous electives. With respect to the high school curriculum:
An assigned faculty mentor, tutorial support, and a Philosophy department are distinguishing features of the program. Specialized academic offerings include Ethics, Genetics, Forensic Science, Lyceum, Anatomy & Physiology, Robotics, Theology, Canon Law, Constitutional Law, Aeronautics, Musical Theatre, One-Act Play, Radio Station; and Honors, AP, College Level, and College courses.
The school's Classics department describes its program as being "designed around an awareness of the historical significance of the Greek and Latin languages as foundations for the Western intellectual tradition and the history of the Catholic Church."
Upper School students are also required to complete community service and "school service" hours in order to graduate.
Athletics
The school offers a number of student athletics programs, including cross country running, soccer, archery, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, golf, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Holy Spirit Preparatory School also fields a football program. The football team has recently participated in the Glory for Christ (GFC) league, winning the GFC State Championship in 2011. At the close of their 2013-14 season, Holy Spirit Prep announced they would return to the Georgia Independent School Association's football league.
House system
Holy Spirit Preparatory School has a house system. There are four houses, each named after Ecumenical Councils, and each house has its own mascot, color, and patron saint:
Holy Spirit's house system divides students and teachers randomly into four groups. There is competition between these houses in order to win a grand prize of going to Six Flags over Georgia at the end of the year. The house point system works by enforcing positive behavior, such as volunteering for service opportunities, holding the door, helping a teacher carry something, cleaning the teacher's boards, etc. House points cannot be deducted. Students in middle school and junior high can earn personal house points, or "green points," which are awarded to both the student and the house. Points earned by high school students, or "gold points," are only awarded to the house. Teachers may not earn house points. There are also house challenges in which members of each house competes in events, whether sporting or academic in nature. Administrators, the Head Boy, and Head Girl are placed in a neutral house, called the "green house" or "House of Switzerland." The Head Boy and Head Girl cannot earn house points. The House of Switzerland never participates in house competitions. Each house has a house government led by the house master, the house president, and the house vice president.
Ranking and accreditation
Holy Spirit Prep has been repeatedly named as one of the top fifty Catholic high schools in the country by the National Catholic High School Honor Roll. In 2009 the Lower School was named as a National School of Excellence by the US Department of Education.
The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Georgia Association of Independent Schools (GISA).
Holy Spirit College, an outgrowth of the preparatory school, is a Georgia Non-Public Secondary Education Commission authorized degree-granting institution. Dr. Matthew McWhorter serves as Academic Coordinator of the college and is advised by a Board of Visitors.
History
The school was established as an independent Catholic school in 1996. In 1999, the Legion of Christ became associated with the Donnellan School. In 2002, the school broke ground on a new Upper School campus adjacent to Holy Spirit Catholic Church. In 2006, the school celebrated its first graduating senior class. Holy Spirit Prep is recognized by the Archdiocese of Atlanta and listed in the Official Catholic Directory as a lay sponsored Catholic school independent of any religious order or congregation.