Don Bosco Prep Admissions Brochure 2012 - 2013

empowering young men for life

Don Bosco Prep

Throughout our 96-years, Don Bosco Prep has enjoyed an excellent reputation in preparing young men for college academically while encouraging an active participation and growth in their family, civic and spiritual lives. Integral parts of our school’s outstanding tradition continue to be our youth ministry, service organizations, interscholastic athletic program, musical and dramatic activities, on-campus clubs and out-of-school cultural activities.

9866 Alumni of Don Bosco Prep since 1917

Our

Tra

ditio

n

$12 Cost of monthly tuition at Don Bosco in 1915 15 First graduates in

the Class of 1917

Our MissionMindful of both our role and responsibility as a Salesian college preparatory school, we promote the following:• Intellectual Curiosity• Joyful Spirit• Self-Esteem• Emotional Maturity• Love for One’s Fellow Human Beings

• Character Development• Personal Responsibility• Concern for the Environment• Commitment to Social Justice

Did You Know?The 3 pillars of a Salesian

education are REASON,

RELIGION, and KINDNESS. St.

John Bosco educated the young

in the spirit and so do we.

Why Don Bosco Prep?“Central to our school is a community of Salesians of Don Bosco, religious men who safeguard the charism of a great father and teacher of the young, Saint John Bosco. He believed that education is a matter of the heart. We brothers and priests, living in his spirit, devote ourselves to creating an educative environment here in which the heart of each young person is opened more fully to God, to others, and to the world.”

Fr. James Heuser, SDBDirector/President

Primary reasons identified by students, alumni, and parents as to why they attended or sent their sons to Don Bosco Prep:

4 Academic Excellence Spiritual Vitality

Leadership Training Athletic Distinction

1 School with the tradition of excellence and dedication 875 Reasons why we do what

we do (student population)

“This is a community, not only for our young men, but for their families as well. What makes Don Bosco Prep unique is the life brought to it by the entire community; it is a place where school, family and Christ meet to create an environment of spiritual joy, academic excellence and personal growth.”

John StanczakPrincipal

HistoryFounded: 1915 Affiliation: Salesians of Don BoscoFirst Director: Rev. Robert Wieczorek

Campus35-acre collegiate-styled campus in the Borough of Ramsey, NJ3 academic buildings

EnrollmentStudent Population: 875Number of Classrooms: 40Number of Faculty: 65Student to Faculty Ratio: 14 to 1Average Class Size: 24

Student LifeSports: 18Clubs: 60+Honor Societies: 8

Freshman ProfileFreshmen Class: 230GPA Range: 3.0 – 3.5From Public School: 48%From Private School: 52%From NJ: 61%From NY: 39%

Fast

Fac

ts

Our CrestThe three trees represent the surname

“Bosco”, which means “a grove of trees” in Italian. The background is taken

from the Coat of Arms of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva and the

principal patron of the Salesians of St. John Bosco.

The seal is emblazoned with the Star of Faith, the Anchor of Hope and the

Heart of Charity, all taken from the Coat of Arms of the Salesian Society.

Did You Know?Our motto ‘Crescere Scientia

et Gratia” means “To Increase

in Knowledge and Grace.”

www.donboscoprep.org The website for any questions you may have about Don Bosco Prep

Calendar

OCT 14

DEC 17 JAN 17 JAN 30 FEB 2

MAR 9

APR 14 MAY 8

Open House 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Open House 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

COOP Exam

DBP Application Deadline

Decision Letters Mailed

Freshmen Night

Registration Day

DBP Placement Exam

Open House 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Freshmen Orientation

Admissions ChecklistRegister for the COOP Entrance Examination

September/October 2012Visit www.coopexam.org to register

Schedule an “Ironman for the Day” VisitThroughout the Academic Year

Monday through Thursday from 8:15 AM to 1:00 PM

Complete the COOP Entrance ExaminationNovember 9, 2012

School code is 807

Submit a completed Online Application September through December 17th, 2012

Visit www.donboscoprep.org to apply

Submit transcripts from 6th and 7th grades as well as the 1st marking period of 8th grade.

Contact your current school for transcript requests

Optional Step: Submit a Recommendation Letter from a teacher, coach, or DBP alumnus.

807 DBP school code for COOP Exam 587 8th grade students

who visited this year

NOV 9

George Mihalik ‘05Director of Admissions

[email protected]. 201-327-8003 ext. 102 / fax. 201-327-3397

SEP 19

Optional Step: Submit a Preliminary Financial Aid Request

A Freshman ScheduleComposition & LiteratureAlgebra I or GeometryBiologyWorld HistoryWorld LanguagePhysical Education / ElectiveTheology

Course of Studies

Aca

dem

ics

Graduation Requirements4 years of English4 years of Mathematics3 years of Lab Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics)4 years of Social Studies3 years of World Language (4 years recommended)4 years of Physical Education4 years of Theology

Don Bosco Prep’s academic program offers a challenging, rigorous curriculum to our students, and continually strives to ensure that the academic realities and needs of all students are met so that they may fulfill their potential.

Did You Know?The mean score on the 79 AP

exams in AP Calculus BC, AP

English Literature, and AP English

Language was a 4.2 out of 5.

82% Teachers with a Master’s degree or higher 10 Average tenure in

years of DBP faculty 85% Teachers who moderate a club or activitiy

Academic LevelsAdvanced PlacementHonorsCollege Prep

Electives and AP CoursesDon Bosco Prep offers numerous elective courses that allow students the opportunity to explore their interests and curiosities in an academic setting:

Public SpeakingCreative WritingStatisticsPsychologyEconomicsSociologyCriminal JusticeEnvironmental ScienceAnatomy and PhysiologyGovernment and PoliticsIntroduction to LawIntroduction to BusinessIntroduction to Philosophy

“Even in this age of rapidly evolving technological advances, our rich heritage of literary works from many cultures through many generations remains fresh and continues to illuminate the challenges and joys of our shared human experience and the inspiring possibilities and destructive flaws of our human nature. I have never tired of embarking each year on the journey of inquiry and discovery with my students through the reading of rich, complex literature and have found over and over that this journey leads us to a renewed, deeper appreciation of the values that are fundamental to our humanity and our Christian spirituality.”

Paul O’ConnorEnglish Department Chairman

Harvard College, BA in English 1975;N.Y.U Law School, JD 1979;

Teachers College, Columbia University MA English 1980

3 Hours of homework on an average night3 Foreign languages offered:

Italian, Latin, Spanish

To cultivate the vibrant academic environment, Don Bosco Prep offers the following Advanced Placement courses to our students:

AP English LanguageAP English LiteratureAP Calculus ABAP Calculus BCAP BiologyAP ChemistryAP PhysicsAP Studio ArtAP Spanish LanguageAP United States HistoryAP European HistoryAP Psychology

Did You Know?7 out of 11 students in this

year’s AP Calculus BC

course scored a 5 (top

score) on the AP Exam.

Athletics

Fall SportsCross CountryFootballSoccer

Winter SportsBasketballBowlingFencingHockeySkiingSwimmingWinter Track Wrestling

Spring SportsBaseballCrewGolfLacrosseSpring TrackTennis Volleyball

Don Bosco Prep offers 18 sports at the Freshmen (FR), Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity (V) levels. The school year is divided into three athletic seasons; students are permitted to participate in one sport per season.

Did You Know?The Don Bosco Prep Track &

Field Team finished 8th in the

country at the 2011 Nike Team

Nationals held in Eugene, Oregon.

28 3State athletic championships since 1999

National athletic championships since 200855 State athletic championships

since 1961

A student’s involvement in sports not only helps keep him physically fit, but also devel-ops character, teamwork and school and personal pride. Ap-proximately 65% of the student body participates in at least one sport. The remaining 35% are involved in numerous clubs and organizations.

Extr

acur

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Activities and ClubsAcademic Computer ClubCreative Writing ClubDebate TeamFrench ClubGame ClubGerman Culture ClubHealth Occupations Students of AmericaHistory ClubItalian ClubJunior Statesmen of AmericaLatin ClubMath TeamMock TrialModel UN

Polish Culture ClubSpanish Club

The Arts Art ClubBagpipe & Drum CorpConcert BandConcert ChoirLiturgical Music GroupStage CrewString Ensemble

PublicationsNewspaper – IronmanYearbook – BosconianLiterary Magazine

Athletic ClubsHandball ClubIntramuralsOutdoors ClubPing Pong ClubSki and Snowboard ClubUltimate Frisbee Team

Catholic/Service Emergency Response TeamKnights of Don BoscoMission ClubPro Life ClubSADD ClubTheology of the Body ClubYouth Ministry Program

Honor SocietiesEnglish Honor SocietyFrench Honor SocietyGerman Honor SocietyItalian Honor SocietyMath Honor SocietyNational Honor SocietyScience Honor SocietySpanish Honor Society

Special Interest Ambassadors ClubAmnesty InternationalAsian ClubAutism Awareness ClubBlack Student Association

Book ClubEnvironmental AwarenessIrish-American SocietyIronmen Fight CancerIronmen Speak Out!LINK ClubOutdoors ClubMSG Varsity ClubPeer MediationPhotography ClubProm CommitteesSpectrumStrategic Investment ClubStudent CouncilTV ClubWilderness Survival Club

$28,061 Raised by the Mission Club to send students to Nicaragua on a service trip 134 Students in the

National Honor Society

Extracurriculars

Students are encouraged to explore their interests and passions by participating in the following activities, clubs, and organizations:

2012Class of 2012 College and University Acceptances:American UniversityAmherst CollegeBentley CollegeBoston CollegeBoston UniversityBrandeis UniversityBryant UniversityBrown UniversityBryant UniversityBucknell UniversityCase Western Reserve UniversityCatholic University of AmericaColgate UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossCollege of William and MaryColumbia UniversityCornell UniversityDartmouth College

De Sales UniversityDickinson CollegeDrew UniversityDrexel UniversityFairfield UniversityFordham UniversityFranklin and Marshall CollegeGeorge Washington UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGettysburg CollegeHarvard CollgeIthaca CollegeJames Madison UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityLafayette CollegeLehigh UniversityLe Moyne CollegeLoyola University Maryland

Manhattan CollegeMarist CollegeMarquette UniversityMontclair State UniversityNew York UniversityNortheastern UniversityOhio State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityPepperdine UniversityPrinceton UniversityProvidence CollegeQuinnipiac UniversityRamapo CollegeRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRochester Institute of TechnologyRutgers UniversitySacred Heart UniversitySaint Anselm College

Saint Joseph’s UniversitySaint Michael’s CollegeSeton Hall UniversitySiena CollegeStevens Institute of TechnologyStonehill CollegeState Universities of New YorkSwathmore CollegeSyracuse UniversityThe College of New JerseyTufts UniversityTulane UniversityUnion CollegeUnited States Coast Guard AcademyUnited States Military AcademyUnited States Naval AcademyUniversity of CaliforniaUniversity of Chicago

University of DelawareUniversity of MarylandUniversity of MichiganUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of RichmondUniversity of ScrantonUniversity of VermontUniversity of VirginiaVanderbilt UniversityVillanova UniversityVirginia Military InstituteVirginia Technical InstituteWake Forest UniversityWashington CollegeWesleyan UniversityWilliams CollegeYale University

Col

lege

Pla

cem

ent

2174 Mean SAT score for top 10% of Class of 2012 1717 Mean SAT score for the

entire Class of 2012 98% Graduates going on to college

Class of 2012: Accomplishments

Class of 2012 College and University Acceptances:University of DelawareUniversity of MarylandUniversity of MichiganUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of RichmondUniversity of ScrantonUniversity of VermontUniversity of VirginiaVanderbilt UniversityVillanova UniversityVirginia Military InstituteVirginia Technical InstituteWake Forest UniversityWashington CollegeWesleyan UniversityWilliams CollegeYale University

Alain Luigi LaforestCollege: Brown University

Major: Applied Mathematics-Economics

What will you miss most about Don Bosco?

“I will definitely miss the students and faculty, who take a deep interest in the success and well-being of their students. Our faculty exemplify St. John Bosco’s mission to care for the young, and are always willing to assist students in their endeavors in

whatever capacity they can.”

210 Graduates in the Class of 2012 3

1 National Merit Special Scholarship

2 National Merit Scholar Finalists

14 National Merit Commended Scholars

53 Total Advanced Placement Scholars

95 National Honor Society Members

$22M Total Scholarships/Aid/Grants

Average number of scholar-ships to college per student

3 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars

5 National Merit Special Scholarships

9 National Merit Scholar Finalists

58 National Merit Commended Scholars

152 Total Advanced Placement Scholars

$107M Total Scholarships/Aid/Grants

7 New York University

5 Loyola University Maryland

5 Manhattan College

5 Pennsylvania State University

5 Villanova University

4 Boston College

4 Fairfield University

3 College of the Holy Cross

3 Columbia University

3 University of Notre Dame

Did You Know?8 members of the Class of

2012 are attending schools

in the Ivy League.

Top Colleges:(2012 matriculation)

Classes of 2007 to 2011:The DBP Alumni

Network helps recent graduates with college mentoring, internship

opportunities and even job placement.

RetreatsEach year our students attend a one-day retreat to develop a stronger sense of their faith. These retreats take place at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point, NY.For students who wish to go on further retreats, the Salesians of Don Bosco organize annual leadership retreats in October and March.

CommunityAs a faith community, Don Bosco Prep sponsors numerous events throughout the year to encourage spiritual development:Passion PlayStations of the CrossPoverty Awareness WeekRosaryTrip to National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)

Mass Daily Mass is offered to the Don Bosco Prep community at 7:00 AM in the Mary Help of Christians Chapel. The entire school community celebrates Mass periodically throughout the academic year. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered to our students at the beginning and end of each semester as well as during the holidays.

Salesian Don Bosco Prep has a dedicated group of Salesian priests and brothers who are involved daily in the spiritual, educational, and communal life of the school.

Developing and living out a Salesian spirituality provides the young with a variety of opportunities to know, live and share the message of Jesus Christ. The Christian formation of the whole person involves the integration of faith, life, culture, and human knowledge. As a Catholic community, we strive to nurture the faith life of our students and have them develop a relationship with Jesus Christ through the following:

127 87%

Faith

Students who are Roman-Catholic

Alumni who are Catholic clergy 11 Salesian priests and brothers

call Don Bosco Prep home

Service Opportunities

Thomas BerniceCollege: United States Naval Academy

How has Don Bosco prepared you for the Naval Academy?

“In addition to providing me a comprehensive, college-preparatory education, Don Bosco Prep has formed and strengthened my character as an individual and my resolve to serve others and my country. I am proud to say that what I have learned both in the classroom and on campus has shaped who I am and will continue to do so for

the future.”

The Office of Youth Ministry provides many service opportunities for our students throughout the academic year and into the summer. Locally Our students are involved with local non-profit organizations such as Camp Acorn, St. John’s Soup Kitchen, and Habitat for Humanity. Nationally The Salesians of Don Bosco offer service retreats to students known as Gospel Roads. These service retreats take our students to Leeds (Alabama), New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa (Florida), and Washington D.C. to name a few. Globally Answering the call to help those most in need, our students serve in communities outside of the United States including our annual trip to Nicaragua and Haiti.

All students are required to complete 100 hours of

community service before graduation. Most students complete these hours well

before graduation yet continue to serve on and off campus.

26,641 Service hours performed by the Class of 2012

Did You Know?Last year students raised well

over 106,000 items of food during

our annual Thanksgiving Day

Food Drive.

1 Common Mission:To Serve Others

100% Wireless connectivity on campus 3 Number of computer

labs on campus

Reso

urce

s

100% Classes with SmartBoard or digital projector

TechnologyDon Bosco Prep recognizes the importance of technology as a useful teaching tool. As such, faculty utilize SmartBoards or HD projectors to engage our students intellectually. We believe that a laptop in the classroom is not a requirement for a quality education. Moreover, with three computer labs and over 100 state-of-the-art desktops, students are provided access to the latest in technology free of charge and in a supportive environment. Laptops are allowed on campus and may be used after school anywhere on our wireless network.

Media CenterThe media center offers students a top-notch research facility for assignments, presentations and projects. It also houses our library, which has an extensive collection of print material and numerous periodicals, journals and magazines in circulation. Our media specialist is available throughout the day and after school to assist students.

GuidanceThe guidance department provides a wide array of school counseling programs and services to support and assist students in achieving academic as well as personal success in school and beyond. Here are some of the resources we provide: • Career Center • Naviance College Center • Learning Needs Program • College Tours • Campus Visits • College Panels • Programs for Parents • Individual Counseling

Tutoring ServicesAcademic support is considered the responsibility of the entire community at Don Bosco Prep. Not only do faculty provide extra-help before and after school hours, but peer tutoring is also available daily through specific honor societies. Additional peer tutoring can be set-up through the Guidance Office to ensure that a student receives the proper academic support in order to achieve his potential.

9200 Number of books in the library 8 Number of guidance coun-

selors on the DBP staff

Don Bosco Prep educates young men so that through the process of self-discovery each student will come to recog-nize and acknowledge his talents while pursuing excellence

in all that he does.

Christopher RussoCollege: St. Bonaventure University

Major: Pre-Medicine / Honors Program

What will you take away from your experience at Don Bosco?

“Don Bosco is a special place and I want to share that everywhere I go and with everyone I meet. The brotherhood, the friendships, the desire to achieve and the drive to compete have helped me grow into a confident, well-prepared senior ready for the challenges ahead. The immense pride I have in being an Ironman stems from the spirit and culture of Don Bosco, which will always

hold a special place in my heart.”

CAMPUS MAP 1. DE SALES HALL:

Classrooms, Science Labs, Administrative Offices,

Admissions Office, Guidance Offices, Career Center, Auditorium.

2. IMMACULATA HALL: Classrooms, Cafeteria, Bookstore,

Youth Ministry Office, Nurse’s Office, Gymnasium, Locker Rooms,

Weight Room, Training Room, Athletic Director’s Office, Coaches’ Office.

3. ST. JOHN’S HALL: Classrooms, Library/Media Center,

Art and Music Rooms, Computer Rooms, Office of Advancement, Alumni Relations Office,

Public Relations Office, Faculty Room, Mother’s Guild Room, Residence.

4. MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CHAPEL 5. FOUNDERS’ SQUARE

6. OUR LADY’S GROTTO / LAKE 7. ALUMNI PARK / ALUMNI WALK OF FAME

8. GRANATELL STADIUM: Football, Track, Lacrosse.

9. BASEBALL FIELD 10. SOCCER FIELD

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DON BOSCO PREP

492 N. FRANKLIN TURNPIKE RAMSEY, NJ 07446-2811

empowering young men for life www.donboscoprep.com 201-327-8003

1.2 Miles the average student will walk in the course of a day 4,000 Maximum seating capacity

for Granatell Stadium

The

Cam

pus

4 Minutes between each class

A Typical Day6:55 AM

7:25 AM

7:39 AM

11:20 AM

11:46 AM

1:40 PM

2:00 PM

3:30 PM

5:30 PM

Students begin to arrive on campus and usually go to the cafeteria for breakfast

The bell sounds and students rush to homeroom for morning prayer and the announcements

Students move through the corridors to their first period classes

After 5 classes, students take a well-deserved break for lunch

The last 2 classes of the day keep students focusedWith a closing reflection and prayer, the school day endsStudents hurry to their club meetings or start on homework in the library

Practices for sports begin with much enthusiasm on campus

Students head home to finish any remaining home-work and enjoy dinner with the family

40 Minutes is the average length of a class 20 Choices of hot and

cold meals for lunch

Gaston (Guy) Jean-LouisCollege: Harvard College

Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology

What is your most memorable experience at Don Bosco?

“I will look back with fondness on our Advent Prayer Service before each Christmas break, when the faculty, led by Dr. Scanlon, sang a modified ver-sion of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’ This event always brought students and faculty together with laughter and happiness, and was a wonderful dem-onstration of the joyful spirit that is of-

ten so pervasive through the Prep.”

What’s New on CampusRestoration of Mary Help of Christians ChapelRenovation of Cafeteria and GymnasiumSmartBoards Installed in All ClassroomsUpgrade of Athletic Fields / Grounds

By CarStudents are permitted to drive to school and park on campus after receiving a valid driver’s permit and having purchased a parking pass. Carpooling is another viable option for families and students.

By BusBusing is made available through many of the New Jersey and New York public school districts. Those students in districts that do not provide busing may be able to contract with private bus companies, including Scholastic Bus Company and Leckie Bus Company. Another option is the Shortline Bus Company, which has many routes in the area and stops at our entrance.

By TrainWith NJ Transit’s Ramsey/ Rt. 17/ Spring Street train station one-half mile away, students can take the train. Our shuttle will transport them to campus in the morning and drop them off after school as well.

Tran

spor

tatio

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45 Public school districts that provide busing 212Number of students who

drive to school 22 Number of students picked up by shuttle from train station

For more information, please contact your local public school district or visit our website www.donboscoprep.org

Tuition and Aid

2885 SSS school code for financial aid $490K Financial aid given to

students annually 1 Network of generous alumni and benefactors

Tuition and Fees(2012-2013)

Tuition - $12,800Underclassmen Fee - $535Registration Fee - $850Total = $14,185

Financial Aid

Applications for financial aid are available starting February 1st, 2013.

Don Bosco Prep offers financial aid to students based strictly on their financial need. To learn more about our financial aid process, please visit sss.nais.org/Parents and reference school code #2885.

In addition to completing the SSS form, a copy of the most recent year’s tax return can either be sent in to the Finance Office or attached to the SSS form.

Scholarships and Grants

Don Bosco Prep offers generous Academic Scholarships to incoming freshman students. To be eligible for an academic scholarship, the student must have taken the COOP Entrance Examination and chosen Don Bosco Prep as his first choice of schools.

Over the years, our alumni have generously given back to their alma mater in an effort to provide financial support to students in need and ensure that future Ironmen benefit from the unique experiences The Prep has to offer. These Alumni Grants go directly to our families in financial need.

The Scholarship Fund for Inner City Children is a tuition assistance program for needy inner-city children who aspire to attend a private Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Newark or the Diocese of Paterson. Visit www.rcan.org/icsf/.

Don Bosco Prep offers a tuition reduction in the form of the Brother’s Grant for families who have 2 or more sons attending at the same time. The Brother’s Grant credits $500 to the account of one sibling at Don Bosco Prep.

Don Bosco Prep provides over $1 million annually in financial

assistance, scholarships, and tuition discounts for

faculty and siblings. We are committed to helping our families in financial need.

Don Bosco PrepAdministered by the Salesians of St. John Bosco492 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey, NJ 07446

www.donboscoprep.org / tel. 201-327-8003 / fax. 201-327-3397