SLS Blog

For many St. Lawrence students, both past and present, our campus has become like a second home to them. It’s more than just a place to study, but a place to flourish in mind, body, and spirit.

From Day One

When students first arrive, for many of them this is their first extended stay away from home. That’s why from day one, our school community is here to support, guide, and encourage your son to succeed. Dorm supervisors, senior mentors, teachers, and coaches all take an active role making sure each student feels welcome and supported during their time at St. Lawrence.

One of the most defining assets of St. Lawrence is our comprehensive mentorship program. Every new student is paired with a senior mentor at registration, guiding him to each part of the registration process and helping him move into his new dorm. New students are also paired with mentors on the teaching staff, giving them the opportunity to discuss how things are going and ask questions. These mentors meet with their mentees regularly throughout the school year to check in on everything from academics to emotional well-being and to just connect.

“As a student, if I had a question on homework, there was always a good chance that whatever teacher I had a question for was still on campus after school,” recalled Anthony Van Asten, an alum.

This individualized support ensures that no student slips through the cracks. We create a network that’s always present, always watching out, and always ready to help.

A Culture of Belonging

In addition to mentors, students are also placed into different fraternities, each comprised of students from different grade levels, backgrounds, and cultures. The core of the fraternity is the seniors and the freshmen they sponsor. Throughout the school year, fraternities sit together during mass and meals, participate in liturgical ministries, enjoy outings, and compete in social events together such as Winter Carnival and Field Day.

Students quickly learn that they are surrounded by peers who understand their experiences, share their daily routines, and encourage each other to grow. Whether they’re studying for exams, participating in service projects, or navigating the ups and downs of adolescence, they do it together. So when homesickness strikes, students don’t face it alone, they have a hall full of friends who’ve been there and know how to help.

Staying Active in the Face of Homesickness

Like many boarding schools, St. Lawrence is no stranger to the struggles of homesickness. Luckily, we’ve found that activity is the best antidote! Our school keeps students busy in meaningful ways, offering a full schedule that blends academics, athletics, spiritual life, and recreation.

Outside of classes, afternoons and weekends are filled with:

• Competitive & intramural sports
• Fine arts & music programs
• Campus clubs & student leadership groups
• Prayer services & opportunities for reconciliation and adoration
• Ministry opportunities
• Study halls & academic support
• Recreation time with friends (pick-up games, fitness center workouts, outdoor adventures, and various outings)

By staying active, students develop confidence, find their passions, and build lifelong friendships. The rhythm of campus life leaves little room for long stretches of loneliness, replacing it instead with purpose and connection.

Faith is Our Foundation

As a Catholic community, we root everything in faith. Through regular Mass, prayer, retreat programs, and spiritual guidance, students find grounding and clarity. Our campus ministry provides additional layers of personal support, teaching students to lean on faith during moments of homesickness or stress.

This spiritual dimension not only strengthens their personal relationship with God but also creates a sense of unity across campus, reminding every student that he belongs to something greater than himself.

How St. Lawrence Becomes Home

Ask any graduate what they remember most; it’s rarely test scores or assignments. They talk about the late-night conversations in the dorms. The laughs shared at the dining hall table. The coach who encouraged them when they struggled. The mentor who helped them find direction. The brothers they made along the way.

Our campus becomes a home because it is filled with people who see, value, and support each young man who enters our doors.

Choosing a boarding school is a significant decision for any family. But here, parents find comfort knowing that their sons are surrounded by caring adults, strong role models, and peers who become lifelong friends. Students find the space to grow, the structure and stability to thrive, and the support to feel at home even when they’re miles away.

At our school, “home away from home” isn’t just a phrase, it’s a promise lived out every day.

Would you like more information about St. Lawrence Seminary? Check out our website or call us at 920-753-7570.