Teaching Philosophy
What fundamental questions do we want our students to be able to answer when they leave our school? St. Francis de Sales, who inspired the work of our patron, St. John Bosco, taught students to “be who you are and be it well.” Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School will use this motto to ground all academic curricula. We have developed a central vision, grounded in the teaching of St. Francis de Sales to “be who you are and be it well,” that focuses the teaching and learning during each of the four high school years and guides students towards self-knowledge and action. Students will explore the year-long questions across subject areas and then synthesize the knowledge gained to inform their answer in the yearlong cumulative project. Academic studies will deepen students’ relationships with God and their understanding of themselves and their vocation and place in this world. In learning about themselves and those with whom they are in community, students will be able to move out from themselves as individuals, to an awareness of others and a need for action. Students will learn to be who they are and be it well.
The central vision of our school, “Be who you are and be it well,” will be broken down into smaller questions to focus the program for each year. The ninth grade program will answer the question “Who am I?” The tenth grade will take it one step further and answer the question, “How do I stay true to who I am?” The eleventh grade will explore “How do I become the best me?” By twelfth grade students will be able to answer the question “What is my place in the world?” In exploring and answering these questions not only will students gain the knowledge and skills needed for success in college, but they will also know how to be who they are and be that well, prepared for a life full of joy, peace, and constant growth.