Minds to Lead – Hands to Serve – Hearts to Love

Academics

Academics at austin

The academic philosophy of Austin Catholic High School is based on the early liberal arts traditions and has been nurtured by the Augustinians in the United States since the founding of Villanova College (now University) in 1842.

As an independent, college preparatory school, our curriculum must first and foremost grow directly from our mission. In service to our students, we must consider each as an individual and work to capitalize on their strengths. We aim to prepare our students to not only have knowledge, but to also think critically and produce creatively. Each student works with our team of dedicated educators to develop individualized learning plans. Students not only take courses in the core subjects of math, English, social sciences, theology, science, and arts/technology, but they have off campus opportunities to extend learning and develop their interests. A full
range of both academic supports and advanced courses are available for students at all levels. One of the great advantages of an Austin education is our ability to educate the individual. Our curriculum is rigorous, our
student/teacher ratio is low, and our method is collaborative.

We are a place where the pursuit of truth goes beyond the classroom experience. Where the soft-skills and learning relationships between teacher : student and student : student bring out the best in everyone. As a result the Austin graduate possess more than just a transcript of “required” courses: he or she has been empowered to defend ideas and think critically; and inspired to act globally and morally in an ever changing world.

philosophy of education

We believe that human beings were made by God to share life ultimately with God and with one another in God. Created for God we were made in God’s image and likeness.

We have an intellect capable of moving from sense data to the deepest levels of abstraction. We are driven in our pursuit of truth to see and know gradually the vision and experience of ultimate truth – God Himself. Students and teachers are united in the common task of knowing, understanding, and appreciating truth.

A liberal arts curriculum is believed to be the best vehicle for assisting students to pursue the kind of truth described above. As demanding as it may be, it helps free students to know truth and it entices them to come to love it. It leads to the union of truth and love – love being the third dynamic principle of Augustinian education (the first being truth).

The thrill of knowing draws students into the admired inner circle of God’s love and life. But that inner circle is also directly accessed through the Augustinian school family community in which all the activities of the school take place. By assiduous cultivation of interpersonal relationships students learn more clearly about the ultimate love to which they are called – love of God.

The school community embraces all the members: Augustinian Religious, administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents. All are drawn into the multiple tasks of helping one another learn and grow. This is a community effort.

Austin Catholic High School teachers do not see themselves as imparting knowledge and wisdom to students. Rather, with profound respect for their students, the teachers structure lessons and provide example so that students can relate newly offered learnings to their inner dictates of truth. Thus, they are gently led to embrace new insights enthusiastically.

Learning takes place in the many extracurricular activities of the school: in social settings, on the athletic fields, during Religious and Liturgical services, and through social service to others in need. These various learning situations foster interpersonal relationships, community building, a sense of teamwork, a commitment to others, and a realization of the responsibilities of citizenship.

The core values of Augustinian education are: Truth, Unity, and Love.

Goals of an Austin Catholic Education

Form Christian men and women who...

Empower well-rounded intellectual graduates who...

Develop young adults physically and emotionally who...

Develop mature young men and women who...