EDUCATION IN VIRTUE
Virtue is a habit and disposition of the heart formed by the repetition of good actions that build the moral character. Virtue pertains to morality which is the objective measure of goodness, while value ultimately pertains to personal preference or group consensus, which may or may not be moral. Founded on Judeo-Christian principles and traditions, Northmount looks to those principles and traditions, and to the writings of some of the great classical philosophers for its orientation on morality and virtues.
The following are examples of human virtues: fortitude, justice, prudence, temperance, understanding, friendship, generosity, humility, loyalty, honesty, industriousness, modesty, obedience, orderliness, optimism, patience, perseverance, responsibility, respect, sincerity.
At Northmount, we strive to help our students learn and live all the virtues. We look to the person of Jesus Christ as the principal teacher and exemplar of all virtues. We believe that it is not a matter of emphasizing this or that good habit, but rather we ultimately want our students to imitate in their lives the live of Jesus Christ.
A Northmount student grows in character through what he is taught, what he sees his teachers do and through what his teachers and advisor guide him to practise. Each month, the school as a whole, as well as each class, studies a particular good habit or virtue, in order to set goals for its practice. Teachers also study how they can be a fitting model for how this virtue is practiced. Finally, teachers and advisors help students set small and attainable goals, in their friendships and at home.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Spiritual development is an important element of character development since it fosters the harmonious blossoming of the spiritual dimensions of the person. Students are helped to discover and respond to the highest calling of all men and women, love for their creator. Northmount faculty and staff exercise great respect for the freedom of each person when it comes to helping them know and draw closer to God.
Through the religion classes, students learn what God has revealed of Himself. They are taught to discern this revelation both through use of their natural reason and through faith. In this way, they are help to understand that faith and reason complement rather than contradict each other. For students of other faith, the academic presentation of these truths are valuable occasions to become familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church and to better understand the moral and spiritual foundations of classical western civilization.
Holy Mass are celebrated twice a week by Archdiocesean priests and students also have the opportunities to receive Sacraments when the priest is in school. Through all these, students obtain a deeper perspective of their lives and a sense of meaning and purpose.
ADVISORY PROGRAM
A chief advantage of a small school is the ability to get to know our students well and to see their personalities develop over time. One of the means we use to get to know our students is the Advisory program. Each student has a personal advisor with whom he meets with. Through the personal attention, friendship and counsel that the advisor provides, the student gains insight into his own character. The advisor can tell the student what strengths, talents and possibilities lie within him. Young people are often the last to recognize their gifts and such recognition on the part of a respected adult can be valuable, especially during the uncertainties of adolescence.
By meeting regularly with the student’s parents and teachers, the advisor is in a privileged position to help the student pursue – in a friendly, supportive manner – goals in his academic, social, personal and spiritual development. The advisory is a powerful means of transmitting the ideals that form the basis for everything that is done in the school.
Parents also meet with their son’s advisor in order to ensure that the school’s academic, social and spiritual activities are tailored to his needs. For the parents, the advisor is the principal means by which they can know that the personalized attention that their son receives in the school reflects their own beliefs and values. Parents meet with the advisor to discuss the areas of improvement in his personal, social and spiritual development. For the parents, the advisor can also be a resource for books and other materials on childhood/adolescent development and on effective parenting.
Each Northmount advisor has received the requisite personal and professional formation needed for the individual care of our students in the Northmount tradition. Most advisors are teachers at the school, but some are friends of the school who share our vision and devote some of their professional time to our students.
