New Symposium Series From FMPI

The Fr. Mark Payne Institute at St. Benedict’s Prep has introduced a new Symposium Series for 2025-26. The series builds on two well-attended Symposia in 2024 and 2025 that introduced educators representing a diverse range of schools to Benedict’s nationally recognized model of community, leadership and student-driven education. 

The schedule offers greater flexibility and appeal to educational institutions and school districts. Five distinct workshops will be held on the Property throughout the year with specific sessions geared to students, educators, counseling teams and school leadership. “It’s a way to dive in a little more on different issues and tackle the core Pillars (community, student leadership, emotional wellness and experiential learning) in one or more focused sessions,” said Glenn Cassidy, Ed.D. ’90, Director of FMPI. 

Developing Student Leadership Skills, an interactive day designed for students to strengthen leadership, teamwork and ethical decision-making, kicked off The Symposium Series on November 21. The FMPI directly and indirectly impacted 30,000 students last year nationwide and is on track to reach even more schools, organizations and kids this year. 

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Upcoming dates and offerings include:

January 16, 2026 — This is Benedict’s 

An introduction to the St. Benedict’s model featuring Convocation, a school tour and an overview of the Four Pillars — Community, Student Leadership, Socioemotional Health and Experiential Education. This program is geared to students and educators. 

March 20, 2026 — You Can’t Educate the Mind if the Heart is Broken

Led by licensed psychologists and social workers from the Grossman Family Counseling Center, the session explores how St. Benedict’s integrates mental health care into daily life and learning. This program is geared to educators, counselors, psychologists, administrators and school nurses. 

May 19, 2026 — Learning & Bonding Through Doing

Experience experiential education in action — observe courses, preview the 55-mile Freshman Backpacking Project and discuss how to adapt hands-on learning in your school. This program is geared to educators. 

June 2, 2026 — I Got Help! You Can Too!

Witness Stage Rage, a groundbreaking collaboration between our theater and counseling departments. Students perform true stories of trauma and healing in a program that has inspired educators across the country. This program is geared to educators, counselors, psychologists, administrators and superintendents. 

For further information, visit sbp.org/fmpi.