A day at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Ma is perhaps accurately described by a single quote from a St. Sebastian’s School , headmaster who said: “The order of the day is to love God, work hard and take good care of one another.” If that isn’t what every parent wants for a son, it’s pretty close. These few words describe the goals of St. Sebastian’s School . If you are seeking those things for yourself or for your son, then maybe its time you started looking at what is available at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, MA .
Not As Old As It Gets. In the New England Area sometimes quality in educational offerings is equated with years in the business. There are a good number of New England private schools with lots of years of experience, some even dating back to colonial days. St. Sebastian’s , Needham, MA does not have that kind of long term pedigree. The story of St. Sebastian’s begins in the 20th Century in 1941 when William Cardinal O’Connell, Archbishop of Boston directed the construction of St. Sebastian’s in Needham, MA as a Catholic boys school. Since that first year, the school has gradually grown to its current modest size of some 350 young men in grades 7-12 .
St. Sebastian’s is a day, not a boarding, school. It works hard with students during the school day but does not assume the role of parent or supervision on weekends. If you are looking for that kind of 24-7 coverage. St. Sebastian’s is not the place for you or your son.
“To Love God” The primary goal of each day at St. Sebastian’s is to express love for God. At St. Sebastian’s, a Catholic school, that goal is pursued in a variety of ways. First all students participate in Theology classes as part of the schools curriculum. By learning more about God and his relationship with man, young men grow in their relationship with God. Second, students participate in a monthly Mass celebration for the entire school and a weekly chapel session also attended by the entire student body. Daily mass is available for those who wish to attend each school day and more chapel time is offered as part of individual classes.
Students are required to participate in retreat programs throughout their stay at St. Sebastian’s beginning in Grade 7 and continuing through to Grade 12 to help them build their personal spiritual life. Also mandatory are hours of service performed each year and culminating in a long term intensive service program prior to graduation in Grade 12. There is no doubt in any student’s mind that attending St. Sebastian’s School is first and foremost a spiritual adventure.
To “work hard “ The curriculum at St. Sebastian’s is demanding and definitely geared to help students to get into the college of their choice. Required college preparatory courses are offered in small classes that generally number 11 students or less per room. This allows teachers to have a solid comprehension of how to help each individual student with the subject matter being taught.
St. Sebastian’s prides itself on the individualized instruction it provides its boys. It is especially proud of the concentrated effort it makes to assist young people in learning to love and appreciate the value of learning in all disciplines . A stand out program at St. Sebastian’s is Writing Program. Students in grades 7 and 8 work on basic writing skills that will assist them with every other course they will take in grades 9-12 and beyond. In an interesting curriculum move, Grade 9 students take not only a basic Grade 9 English class but are also required to take a Writing Course.
In this way St. Sebastian’s hopes to equip students with the ability to face academic challenges in all fields of study . St. Sebastian’s calls upon its boys to “work hard” but it also prepares them to work well.
“Taking Good Care of One Another”. St. Sebastian’s, as a Catholic boys school, is very much aware of its responsibility to teach boys how to work in community and reach out to others . St. Sebastian’s provides opportunities to learn these skills through its athletic and extra curricular activities.
Athletics at an all boys school are almost always important, and St. Sebastian’s is not exception. Since 1978 St. Sebastian’s has participated in the ISL or Independent School League against other small, private schools in the Greater Boston area. The school fields teams in many major sports such as football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey and others.
Even on the athletic field , St. Sebastian’s continues to teach its young men how to be quality young men by teaching sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork. Everyone likes to win, but at St. Sebastian’s there really is more to playing sports than winning the game.
In the Greater Boston area there are a healthy variety of private schools. Those who are looking for a small, Catholic, all boys with success in preparing students for college really should take a serious look at St. Sebastian’s School
