Mission and Philosophy Committee Formed

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Posted March 27th, 2012

St. Augustine Preparatory School has recently formed a Mission and Philosophy Committee which is charged with reviewing the core values and educational philosophy of the institution as it seeks accreditation from the New Jersey Association of Independent School (read more about NJAIS by clicking here). This process is the first step of the Prep’s institutional self-study, which will be conducted during the academic year 2012-2013.

Presently, St. Augustine Prep is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Prep is pursuing dual accreditation – NJAIS and Middle States. The institution achieved membership status in NJAIS in the Spring of 2011.

An essential step in the self-study process is a mission and philosophy review. The newly-formed Mission and Philosophy Committee will evaluate the current mission statement and educational philosophy of the Prep, engage a wide-ranging set of constituents, and determine the accuracy of the mission statement as it pertains to the Prep community. To obtain input from all constituents (students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, benefactors, et cetera), the Mission and Philosophy Committee will meet with representative groups and review the mission statement. In addition, the committee will administer a questionnaire to a wide sample of the Prep family that addresses one essential question: does the statement speak authentically about the mission, educational philosophy, and goals of St. Augustine Prep?

“This is an important process,” says Fr. Patrick McStravog, O.S.A., Assistant to the President for Mission and Ministry, “we need to collaborate with each of these groups and make sure that their vision is realized in our statement.”

Fr. Patrick was named chair of the Mission and Philosophy Committee by President Fr. Donald Reilly, O.S.A., D. Min. Fr. Patrick is assisted by fellow committee members Ms. Deborah Asselta, English Department Chair, Mrs. Marianne Carr, Transportation Coordinator, and faculty members Br. David Graber, M.SS.CC. (Theology Department), Ms. Elayne Sama, (English Department), and Mr. Brendan Towell (Theology Department).

In addition to the consultations and survey results, the committee is already reviewing the mission statements of other Augustinian secondary institutions as well as Villanova University and Merrimack College, both sponsored by the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.

In June 2012, the committee will present a mission statement and educational philosophy to the Board of Directors for their approval.

Photo: Mrs. Marianne Carr, Transportation Coordinator, Fr. Patrick McStravog, O.S.A., Assistant to the President for Mission and Ministry, Ms. Deborah Asselta, English Department Chair, Ms. Elayne Sama, Faculty, English Department, and Mr. Brendan Towell, Faculty, Theology Department (not pictured: Br. David Graber, M.SS.CC.).