"I wanted to share with you how well Andres is doing at Rice University. They did a wonderful job selecting his roommate, a kid from New Jersey named Diego. Andres has hit the ground running and is very confident. It turns out the professor who taught me physics 33 years ago when I went to Rice is still teaching Physics 101...Andres went up to him and introduced himself...the professor laughed and remarked about his age now that he is teaching 2nd generation. Andres received a very generous fellowship and grants from Rice. In addition to that, he has signed up to work as assistant to the women's basketball coach. His earnings go directly to pay for his room and board. His preparation at Subiaco was crucial to Andres....thank you! What a special place Subiaco is!"
-Arturo Martin-de-Nicolas, father of Andres - Class of 2009
"There's a lot of benefits that we're seeing because he's in such a diverse environment. Learning from all the different cultures represented is educational in and of itself."
-Patrick Costello, Subiaco parent, Alumnus - Class of 1964
My oldest son was self motivated and did very well at Subi. I found out, to our surprise, that our youngest son is also self motivated! He was in a small Catholic school and was not being challenged in academics. It was a safe environment so it was very difficult for us to make the decision to send the boys to Subi. But we felt they had much to learn about becoming Godly men.
Subi has opened the doors for them in their faith and academics. Neither of my boys are interested in sports, but the sports programs at Subi are good and many boys take advantage of them. One thing we love is that Subiaco empasizes 'scholarly' athletes. Boys can excel in sports and/or the arts - art classes, music, drama, and choir - as well as academics. You are not a "nerd" if you do not play sports, but you are also not a "nerd" if you have straight A's and are on the sports team. You can explore your individual gifts and talents and they are appreciated.
They have 1 1/2 hour study hall every night for the 1st quarter they are there. If they are on honor roll after that they are allowed 'independent study', which means during study hall, they are allowed to close their doors and study on their own time. My sons have said this is the best time to study anyway because everyone has to be quiet. The study hall is in the dorm and they leave their doors opened during that time. This develops very good study habits which carry into college. My college son called me the first month of college to tell me how well prepared he was from his time at Subi.
I have truly seen my own sons unveil talents they or we did not know they had! There are also opportunities for spiritual growth for those young men who choose to take advantage of that. We were blessed that our sons did that and we have seen their faith flourish.
We live about one hour from Subi so Joseph does come home every weekend. However, many boys only go home on breaks and do quite well with that. They seem to make friends and sometimes get invited home on weekends. We love the international environment. My son's roommate is from Korea. There are boys from all over the states as well as all over the world. It is in a peaceful and very safe place.
About the monks: the boys really like the opportunity to talk to them and they are quite good with the boys. Many of them are very scholarly and a very good influence on the boys. They are enjoyable to talk to. Most boys will find at least one Monk who shares many interests with them so they will get along with them. The boys love days like - Renaissance Day - where the monks and teachers share their gifts and talents with them. For example, one of the teachers shows the boys how to weave chain mail (metal vests, not envelopes as in mail) while one of the monks teachers calligraphy. On weekends they have opportunities to go outdoors and go hiking, camping and fishing on the ridges close to Subi.
I think it must be a prayerful decision to send a boy to Subiaco. There is much family support. We have a prayer ministry where a weekly email is sent out for parents to pray united for the boys and the school. The teachers are great to keep us connected.
It is a wonderful choice for us but it, like any school, is not perfect. It was a very difficult decision for us sending our boys. When my son, Jacob, who is now a sophomore in college, graduated he said, "thanks, Mom, for having the courage to send me to Subiaco!" Yes, it was a joint decision for us, but the mom is the one that has the hardest time, I believe.
We are VERY close to our sons (and all of our children). We are a close knit family and we knew it would be a sacrifice. We feel God has honored that sacrifice.
So my best advice to you is to seek God in this (as I know you are already doing.) And be assured that I will pray for you and with you on this for your son. Each week in our prayer ministry we have been praying that God will draw young men to the Subi family of HIS choosing.
About the discipline: for less seious matters (normal boy stuff like missing homework assignments or being tardy) they use detention. For more serious matters like drugs or alcohol they have a disciplinary board. Boys are never hit or hurt as a disciplinary measure. Usually if it is something serious they will be put on probation or kicked out. It seems the boys who do not want to be there and are discipline problems tend to weed themselves out.
Please come for a visit! You and your family would be welcomed at any time. The Coury House Retreat Center on campus is a lovely place to stay while there.
-Bernadette Post, Subiaco parent 2004 & 2008
What our Alumni say...
"[I thank my parents] for sacrificing four years away from their son, to give him the best education possible."
-Don Ruesewald - Class of 1984
"I want to let you know that every since I left Subiaco in 1984, I never really left. I know that no matter where I go and what I do, there is always a place in my heart and mind for the folks that shaped by life at Subi. I will carry this with me for the rest of my life. It is something that is special, very special.
-John Capizzi - Class of 1984
What our Parents/Alumni say...