The Fr. Mark Payne Institute

“Whatever hurts my brother hurts me. Whatever helps my brother helps me.”

St. Benedict’s Preparatory School exists through the dedication of the Monks of the Benedictine Abbey of Newark, who continue to work in and oversee the school. Guided by the Rule of St. Benedict, the monks model the values of living in community and taking responsibility for one another. These same practices are passed on to students, making community and shared responsibility central to our success.

“Never do anything for a student that he can do for himself.”

At St. Benedict’s Prep, student leadership is built into the structure of daily life. Inspired by Boy Scout leadership models, students across all grade levels are organized into groups led by student group leaders. These leaders work under the direction of Senior Leaders — all students — who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school. This approach gives students real agency over their learning environment and cultivates responsibility, problem-solving skills and confidence.

“We’re only as sick as our secrets.”

St. Benedict’s recognizes that educating the heart is as important as educating the mind. Our comprehensive counseling program addresses the psychological, emotional and academic needs of students through individual counseling, group counseling and self-help practices. Guided by proven therapeutic methods, we ensure students have the support they need to thrive.

“Benedict’s teaches you to do hard things.”

This is a phrase you’ll hear often from Gray Bee graduates. Our Experiential Education program, embedded into the curriculum, places students in challenging situations that require teamwork and resilience. From the Freshman Overnight to The Trail, a five-day, 55-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, students learn to depend on one another, persevere through adversity and build the confidence to succeed in high school and beyond.