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A Day in the Life

Learning, Creativity and Exploration

Every day at Saint John’s Prep is full of learning, creativity and exploration. Each day on campus is a little different from the last with guest speakers, assemblies, advising sessions, prayer services, and community mass. We offer a well-rounded experience with opportunities to be involved in our core academic programs and extracurricular activities within and outside of the school day.

We are a Catholic school in the Benedictine tradition, so Saint Benedict’s motto of SAINT BENEDICT’S “ORA ET LABORA” (prayer and work) calls us to be balanced individuals. While we challenge our students academically, we also encourage them each day to develop into community-minded, independent thinkers. At Prep, we are small enough to know our students by name and our teachers are active mentors inside and outside the classroom. Our school is committed to helping students achieve a balance in their academic pursuits and physical, emotional, and character development.

Open the Viewbook

TYPICAL Schedule

A typical day at Saint John’s Prep starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. Saint John’s Prep recognizes the importance of community development, so students meet regularly in large and small groups each day and are provided extended class times to complete projects and experiments as needed. In addition, there are specific programs or activities that occur each day of the week as follows:

Monday – Prep Talk, an Upper School meeting to share details about events, athletics and activities.
Middle School Morning Meeting, a meeting for Middle School students to learn about events, athletics and activities

Tuesday – Small group meetings with advisors

Wednesday – Community Formation programs, speakers and activities

Thursday – Campus Ministry Prayer Service or All School Mass

Friday – Community Formation programs, speakers and activities

The school day may run between 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., but there’s a lot more happening on campus than just classes! Many clubs and performance groups will schedule meetings and rehearsals before the school day begins.
Competing athletic and academic teams hold practices after school.

Student Life at a Glance

Our students cultivate a sense of belonging. Our school supports each individual as part of our vibrant community.

Commitment To Community

As both a day school for local central Minnesota students, and as a boarding school for U.S. and international students, Saint John’s Prep is committed to providing an enriching community life for all its students.

Community Development

Recognizing the importance of community development, students will meet regularly in large and small groups during a Colloquium period each day.

Emergency Preparedness and Safety

The safety and well-being of all members is of the utmost importance to the Prep community. Therefore, a wide variety of programs to provide necessary systems and services to ensure a safe environment have been implemented.

"Great place for students to develop themselves and prepare for college and beyond. Each student is treated as an individual, instead of a number like other larger schools. The faculty and staff are well trained and prepared for their positions, and the extracurricular programs let students explore their interests in a friendly environment."
Seanan, Alum from Hong Kong
"We sent our boys to prep because of its academic reputation and were more than satisfied with how Prep prepared them for life! It was an honor and privilege to send our sons to Prep! The investment by our family was worth every dime!"
Tom, parent
"First hand examples of the SJP ADVANTAGE in my children and boarders who shared our space while attending PREP. Always preach the Good News with confidence."
Tommy, parent
"Saint John's Prep has small class sizes and incredible teachers that make even the most complex subjects seem simple."
Henrik, Student
"I feel active and engaged in all of the middle school teacher's classes as Mr. E and Mr. Stark are geniuses at making school fun.  I can't remember any teachers in the past that have made me enjoy coming to school as much as them."
Sofi, Student
"The reason I wanted to come to Saint John's Prep is because the education is way better than my old school.  Also the campus offers a lot of opportunities for things to do.  I enjoy sitting in my spot in the woods, canoeing with classmates, learning about nature and the features of it right on campus.  Everyone is nice at SJP as they have a zero tolerance for bullying.  I appreciate the fact that Prep makes learning fun and meaningful.  I am excited to be a student at SJP!"
Andrew, Student