Mission & Philosophy

Mission Statement

St. Mary's Ryken is a Catholic, coeducational college preparatory high school, operated under the Xaverian Brothers' sponsorship, committed to academic excellence and to individualized student growth in faith, moral probity, physical health, social demeanor and responsible citizenship.

Philosophy

In the spirit of its founders, St. Mary's Ryken prepares young men and women to become loyal, intelligent and self-directed persons. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel and the charisms of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and the Xaverian Brothers, our mandate is to teach as Jesus did and to reach out to all through Christian service.

Essential to the educational methodology is the characteristic of living in concordia. St. Mary's Ryken recognizes that each individual is unique and gifted with innate goodness. The school community encourages the respect for and appreciation of diversity, and nurtures a faith-filled view of existence. A student's intellectual growth is encouraged to flourish in an environment not hampered by undue competitiveness. Students experience diverse and progressive opportunities in academics, fine arts, athletics, student activities and campus ministry.

The challenge of the St. Mary's Ryken education is to enable students to realize their potential, continue their academic journey and assume responsibilities in their family, the civic community and the professional world. Our task as educators is not accomplished by ourselves. We share this mission and its responsibilities with parents, who are the primary educators, the community and the Church.

We value:

Being a Catholic community
Embracing the Xaverian Brothers charisms of humility, trust, zeal, compassion and simplicity
Preparing our students for success in higher education and beyond
Offering and promoting academic excellence
Fostering mutual respect to ensure a safe environment for the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional development of our students
Protecting the rights and embracing the contributions of all individuals within our community
Acknowledging the transitional period between adolescence and young adulthood and supporting the growth of our students
Addressing the special needs of our students within the college preparatory curriculum
Motivating our students to show integrity and leadership in actions through responsible citizenship