Saint Benedict's Preparatory School, college prep school in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Saint Benedict's Preparatory School is a boys and girls school in Newark, New Jersey, offering both day and boarding options from kindergarten through twelfth grade. It is run by monks from Newark Abbey and sits on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in a central part of the city.
The school was founded in 1868 by Benedictine monks and has been part of Newark for over 130 years. Over time it became known for educating young people from low-income city neighborhoods and gained national attention through documentaries about its work.
The school is named after Saint Benedict, whose 6th-century rule shapes daily community life on campus. Every morning, students gather for a meeting called Convo, which they lead themselves, singing together and discussing shared values in front of the whole school.
The campus has several buildings and courtyards spread across a city block, so a little orientation helps on a first visit. Coming during communal activities gives a clearer sense of how the school operates day to day.
Every new student takes part in the Backpacking Project during their first year, a five-day hike of about 55 kilometers (34 miles) along the Appalachian Trail. Those who finish receive a black hoodie as a sign of full membership in the school community.
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