Edward B. Bernot, PresidentSaint John Paul II Academy is a Catholic and Lasallian coeducational college preparatory high school where faith, service, and shared responsibility shape both culture and curriculum. As a faith-centered learning community, the academy approaches education as formation, developing students holistically across mind, body, and spirit.
Faith anchors daily life on campus. Each class begins with prayer, and a required four-year theology curriculum integrates spiritual reflection with intellectual growth and personal accountability, ensuring that character formation advances alongside academic achievement.
How does the academy structure academic preparation for college beginning in freshman year?
Saint John Paul II Academy prepares students for higher education through a structured four-year program beginning in freshman year. Students engage in intentional academic planning, rigorous coursework, and close faculty mentorship that guide them through honors and Advanced Placement courses, as well as dual-enrollment partnerships with local colleges for college credit. Mentored research experiences further strengthen analytical thinking and independent scholarship, reinforcing readiness for college and beyond.
“The young people entrusted to our care can thrive academically and also grow in character, faith, and leadership,” says Edward B. Bernot, President.
High achieving students may apply to the De La Salle Scholars Program beginning in junior year. Admission is competitive, with about 25 top-performing sophomores selected per class. This two-year program includes AP Seminar, the AP Capstone Project, a mentored research experience culminating in an individual capstone project, and educational travel opportunities designed to extend learning beyond the classroom.
A Student-Centered and Relationship-Driven Approach
Why are faculty-student relationships central to the academy’s mentoring and advising approach?
Every student experience is rooted in strong faculty-student relationships that begin even before students enter the classroom. During admissions, faculty and administrators work closely with students and families to understand academic needs, strengths, and goals, recognizing parents as primary educators.
The young people entrusted to our care can thrive academically and also grow in character, faith, and purpose
A defining strength of the academy is the sense of community among students, faculty, and families. With approximately 80 faculty and staff members, the school maintains a stable instructional environment that fosters small-community mentoring and long-term faculty retention. Parents are engaged as partners in their children's formation. This shared commitment has supported sustained growth, doubling enrollment over the past decade.
Educating Students Beyond Academics
How do service, athletics, and campus ministry contribute to holistic student formation?
Spiritual formation is foundational. All students complete at least 25 service hours annually, with many exceeding this requirement; one member of the Class of 2025 completed over 1,000 hours. Through service, retreats, and campus ministry programs, students develop as reflective, empathetic, and resilient young people. Over the past four years, nearly 75 students received Catholic sacraments of initiation through the OCIA program.
The academy is expanding opportunities in robotics, emerging technologies, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence. Athletics remain a key component of holistic formation, with more than 80 percent of students participating in at least one sport. The installation of a new athletic turf field in September 2025 reflects this commitment, with additional campus enhancements planned as part of the Soaring to New Heights Capital Campaign.
The academy invests in high-quality, certified teachers who support student growth. As a ministry of the Diocese of Palm Beach, all faculty hold Florida certifications. As one of 54 high schools in the United States sponsored by the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Lasallian), students and faculty have access to resources, collaborative opportunities, and professional development that strengthen teaching, learning, and Lasallian mission engagement.
Guided by Catholic and Lasallian values of faith, respect, and service, Saint John Paul II Academy provides a holistic, mission-driven education that combines rigorous academics with spiritual and moral formation. Graduates leave prepared to make a positive impact in the world through lives marked by character, compassion, and thoughtful leadership.
