Elizabeth Saba and Lori Larcher
What makes BCP different from the other schools in the Valley?
Lori: Of course, being an all-boys school makes it unique, but from the start, Brophy supports new families and welcomes them into the community. The Freshman boys are assigned a "Big Brother" who reaches out to them to answer questions and help them transition into high school. Before the boys’ first day of school, they have made a connection, the bonding has begun and the boys realize they are part of something bigger than themselves. Brophy is the only Jesuit school in the state. Brophy empowers boys, and teaches them the importance of service to others. There is also a great deal of diversity among the student body because it draws from 110 elementary schools. The boys come from numerous religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Lee: In addition to the non-coed environment and Jesuit tradition, Brophy is on the cutting edge of technology because we use tablet computers in all our classes. Brophy is also unique from other schools in the Valley because of its sense of community. This tight community, or brotherhood, is formed when guys from all different backgrounds come together to fulfill one mission and philosophy. Every year alumni come back to teach, coach, or just stop by campus because they know they are always welcome. We support, challenge, and respect each other.
Elizabeth: There are so many things that make Brophy unique. Brophy is a college preparatory school with honors and AP classes, but beyond academics, the service opportunities are an essential part of the Brophy experience. Beginning freshman year, the students have a “breakaway” where they travel with a small group of freshman and a faculty member to a local non-profit to work for the day. The students see the needs around them locally. Beyond local opportunities, students can travel on service/immersion trips in the United States to Los Angeles, Appalachia and New Orleans, and internationally to Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador and Africa. The quality of the activities and what the students accomplish at Brophy is impressive. Students are encouraged to explore their talents and use them to benefit others within the school and our community. I often wish I could have gone to a school like Brophy.
Matthew: My network of friends has definitely expanded. I have met other guys from around the Valley that have similar interests to mine. I am sure that I would not have met them otherwise. I think that diversity is actually celebrated at Brophy with regard to learning about different cultures and faiths. I can work side by side on a service project with someone who I might have debated or disagreed with in a class discussion. I also find that the teachers engage in conversation with the students and they are very interested in what we have to say.
