CULLMAN, Ala. – With the arrival of the new school year, St. Bernard Prep on Wednesday announced growth in enrollment with the addition of more than a dozen new students. While many private schools across the U.S. are experiencing a decline in enrollment, St. Bernard Headmaster Fr. Linus Klucsarits, O.S.B. said he is thrilled to see the increase in enrollment and is greatly pleased with the smooth transition students experienced on the first day of school.
Of the 175 students enrolled, St. Bernard welcomed two new German students, three new Chinese students and 45 others from Alabama, Arkansas and North Carolina to the current student body.
St. Bernard is also excited to welcome new faculty members to the mix. Sr. Marian Davis, O.S.B. of Sacred Heart Monastery returns to the classroom to teach English, replacing long time faculty member Helen Glasscock, who retired this year after 52 years of teaching. Tim Burleson joins St. Bernard to teach physical education, health and weight training. Burleson is the head varsity boys’ basketball coach, replacing Coach Greg Boatright, and is also the boys’ and girls’ tennis coach. Jonothan Farley replaces Ken Simpson, who retired from his second career as band director. Matt Lader replaces Bill Nuss, who retired this year from the computer classroom after 20 years of service at St. Bernard. Br. Cassian Konieczny, O.S.B. is now teaching religion, replacing Fr. Bede Marcy, O.S.B., who has taken over as executive chef of the St. Bernard Dining Hall.
Students and faculty will take time from the books later in the week to participate in a school wide opening mass, an 80s-themed dance in the Abbey Byre and a Friday fun day of games and activities to get acquainted with one another.
Brendan Flannery, admissions director, said getting students to visit campus is the challenge.
“Once we get students on the campus, they find it inviting and very impressive,” said Flannery. “The quality of the dorms is greater than most colleges, and the campus has so much to offer in addition to the quality academic program.”
St. Bernard will continue to accept students for the first semester until Labor Day weekend. For information regarding St. Bernard’s middle and high school college prep program, contact the admissions office at 256-739-6682 or visit www.stbernardprep.com.
Fr. Joel Martin welcomes families to St. Bernard.
