Upper School Viewbook

Austin Prep Upper School

To inspire hearts to unite, minds to inquire, and hands to serve.

Welcome

Welcome to Austin Prep, an Augustinian Catholic middle and high school, we’re grateful for your interest.

Many people see education as a metaphor. For some it’s a challenging obstacle course waiting to be conquered. Others see it as an investment that will pay lifetime dividends.

But in the tradition of St. Augustine – a tradition that is more than 1,600 years old – Austin Prep is on a Journey.

Widely known for his “restless heart,” Augustine of Hippo embarked on a journey for the Truth. At the core of Austin Prep is an institution on the same journey, committed to exemplary teaching and learning.

Keeping with the Augustinian charisms of veritas, unitas, and caritas – truth, unity, and love – I invite you to join our community – and our Journey.

And to make it yours.

James Hickey, Ph.D. P’22, ’23, ’24, ’27 Head of School

Your Journey

An Austin Prep education is a Journey of the Heart, one where mission is central to all we do. Our families share a common belief in establishing a solid moral foundation so that our graduates are equipped to make sound, ethical decisions throughout their lives.

The teachings of Augustine impart a dimension of meaning to an Austin Prep education that goes beyond what one would find at a typical Catholic school.

Here, Augustinian philosophy is woven into everything we do. A student’s Austin Prep Journey encompasses academic, spiritual, co-curricular, and service-centered formation, which we often reference as the “unwritten curriculum.”

The word “Journey” also refers to the lifelong value of an Austin Prep education.

At Austin Prep, you can be confident you are investing in your child’s life long journey, not just a few years.

“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to build a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.”

– Saint Augustine of Hippo

Academics

Austin Prep provides a vigorous, seven-year liberal arts education designed to prepare students for success in college and life.

At Austin Prep, academics are augmented by experiential learning opportunities to help students master knowledge they have acquired in class.

Experiential learning teaches practical problem-solving skills, while improving tolerance for frustration and developing the willingness to take risks in pursuit of truth.

Social and emotional intelligence are also essential components of success. Austin Prep develops them in a variety of ways, including outdoor adventure education. Austin Prep also teaches essential skills such as how to learn, how to think, and how to manage time effectively.

The objective of Austin Prep’s academic program is to maximize every student’s potential as a scholar, citizen, and servant-leader.

“At Austin Prep we pride ourselves on educating the whole student. Our liberal arts focus offers students the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, providing them with the academic foundation for a lifetime of learning.”

– Michelle Connor, P’25, ’28 Dean of Academic Affairs

Student Life

Student Life activities at Austin Prep range from just-for-fun to Christian service, cultural exchanges, and leadership development.

In fact, Austin Prep offers more than 65 different clubs.

For example, the Harry Potter Club, Math Team, French Club, Astronomy Club and Biology Society bring students together to meet new friends and explore common passions.

Travel with a purpose has always been popular among Austin Prep students. For instance, Middle-Schoolers regularly travel to the Charterhouse School outside London where they meet and collaborate with students from around the world, expand their cultural horizons and become global citizens.

Students interested in becoming more effective leaders should look into the Unitas Leadership Academy, established by our Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D. The ULA assists students in their study, application, and growth of the complexities of leader ship. The program utilizes the framework of outdoor adventure to challenge thinking patterns, problem solve, analyze case stud ies based on actual events, advance teamwork principles, hone communication skills, and foster a “think tank” of student input for Austin Prep.

In short, no one at Austin Prep can ever say: “there’s nothing to do!”

“No one can truly be known except through friendship.”

– St. Augustine of Hippo

Art & Design

The Austin Prep Journey, through the Department of Art & Design, is one of excitement, enrichment, and celebration of our students’ emerging gifts; join us on a journey of instruction and inspiration.

Our offerings are always evolving; how would you like to: Shoot a film? Write a play? Learn the guitar? Join the band? Become a fearless public speaker? Learn computer programming? Write a screenplay? Learn to paint? Take your singing to a whole new level? Act in a theater production? Learn to play a keyboard? Join a chorus? Study computer science? Become an illustrator? Learn dance and choreography? Join the Tech Team? Learn musical theory? Work on the yearbook?

There is not one set “path” for this journey; beginners are encouraged to stretch their wings. The Austin Prep community is supportive, and provides the perfect place to step outside (perhaps far outside) your comfort zone to try something new. We look forward to applauding you!

“The goal of the Art & Design Department is to instruct and inspire our students to reach new levels of innovation. We teach them to think creatively, and to appreciate practice, production, and performance.”

– Marla Pascucci-Byrne, P’26 Art & Design Department Chair

Advising

The advisory program at Austin Prep is fundamental to student achievement. Its primary purpose is to provide all students with trusted mentors for achieving academic, social and personal success.

At Austin Prep, no request for help goes unanswered. Advisors cover topics such as academic issues, social or personal problems, spiritual questions, and motivation.

Austin Prep teachers and school leadership believe teaching extends beyond the curriculum. This is why the advisory program is fully integrated into the daily, consistent interactions between teachers and students. With ongoing teacher support, students learn to make wise choices and develop a strong sense of confidence.The emotional and social constructs of a well-integrated student advisory program provide the bedrock for academic success at Austin Prep.

You’ll find that our advisory program drives the student experience and ensures our students are capable of taking advantage of all Austin Prep has to offer.

“Advisory is my favorite part of my job. It’s a privilege to be able to walk with students as a companion and guide for four years. Building these relationships helps us educate the whole person.”

– Kayla Greenwood, Upper School Theology Teacher

Fall Sports

Boys Soccer: Grades 6 - 12, Middle School, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Girls Soccer: Grades 6 - 12, Middle School, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Cross Country: Grades 6 - 12, Co-ed

Boys Football: Grades 7 - 12, Freshmen, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Girls Volleyball: Grades 8 - 12, JV 2, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Cheerleading: Grades 8 - 12, Competitive Team & Game Day Cheer

Golf: Grades 8 - 12, Co-ed

Field Hockey: Grades 6 - 12, JV 2, Junior Varsity & Varsity

Archery: Grades 6 - 8, Co-ed Middle School Intramural

Winter Sports

Boys Ice Hockey: Grades 7 - 12, Freshmen, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Girls Ice Hockey: Grades 7 - 12, Junior Varsity and Varsity

Boys Basketball: Grades 6 - 12, Middle School, Freshmen, JV & Varsity

Girls Basketball: Grades 6 - 12, Middle School, Freshmen, JV & Varsity

Swimming: Grades 6 - 12, Co-ed

Indoor Track & Field: Grades 6 - 12, Co-ed

Cheerleading: Grades 8 - 12, Competition team

Dance Team: Grades 8 - 12, Competition Team

Boys Ski Team: Grades 8 - 12, Developmental & Varsity

Girls Ski Team: Grades 8 - 12, Developmental & Varsity

Spring Sports

Boys Lacrosse: Grades 6 - 12, Middle School, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Girls Lacrosse: Grades 8 - 12, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Baseball: Grades 6 - 12, Middle School, Freshmen, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Softball: Grades 6 - 12, Middle School, Junior Varsity, & Varsity

Outdoor Track & Field: Grades 6 - 12, Co-ed

Boys Tennis: Grades 6 - 12, Developmental & Varsity

Girls Tennis: Grades 6 - 12, Developmental & Varsity

Flag Football: Grades 6 - 8, Middle School

Don’t hesitate to ask our Admissions Office to connect you with specific coaches!

“The many wins and championships my teammates and I were fortunate enough to experience as Austin Prep baseball players are memories that will last us a lifetime. As I begin my time at the University of Virginia, I now realize just how much my experience prepared me not only for success in baseball, but in life. I will forever be grateful for the commitment and mentorship of my coaches, and the friendships and camaraderie shared with my teammates. The culture produced by the countless hours of hard work in pursuing excellence in everything we did together is what brought us together as a real family. A family I am very proud to be a member of.”

Athletics

At Austin Prep, we are very proud of our Athletic programs and have a long tradition of success. Every coach is committed to the development of our student-athletes, ensuring they succeed not only as athletes, but as young adults. We understand that sports provide a forum in which students learn team work, commitment, integrity and responsibility. Our Athletic programs develop student-athletes who are selfless teammates, possess an unparalleled work ethic, consistently display the highest levels of sportsmanship, and are dedicated to a common goal.

“Austin Prep athletes understand that though they are associated with a specific sport, they are part of something much larger and more important – the Austin Prep Community. As an Austin Prep Cougar, our athletes understand the responsibility of representing our School and our beliefs both on and off the field, and on and off campus,” says Patrick Driscoll ’97, Director of Athletics

Unlike many schools, Austin Prep teams are about mind, body and spirit with a focus on learning values and habits that will inform your life for years to come. And fortunately, when done well, the byproduct of that approach often leads to championships.

And a lot of fun.

- Evan Blanco ’22, University of Virginia Baseball ’26

State-of-the-art facilities turn everywhere into a classroom

“Having our students return from summer break to a refreshed campus with new additions and upgrades is of the utmost importance here at Austin Prep. We believe a consistent reinvestment in ourselves ensures constant growth and long term success for our School.”

– James Hickey, Ph.D. P’22, ’23, ’24, ’27 Head of School

“One of the many things I love about Austin Prep is that they are very forward thinking. Not only are they forward thinking, but they think big. I am always excited to return to campus in the fall to see what additions have been made to enhance the student experience.”

– Dr. Maryanne O’Donnell P’20,’22, ’23, ’25 ’25, ’29