Building Catholic School Community: Prepare for the 9th Grade Retreat
Are you wondering how to build connections at your new high school? Learn how St. Agnes creates Catholic school community for incoming 9th graders.
Written by Alexandra Wong ‘26
As your daughter prepares to enter freshman year at St. Agnes, the thought of her stepping into a new school environment can certainly be worrying. Will my daughter make friends? Will she find her place within the school community? Fortunately, St. Agnes provides ample opportunities for incoming 9th graders to connect and become part of the Academy community.
Aside from the many workshops specifically designed to integrate freshmen into the academic part of the school – Out-of-Box-Technical Training, Tiger Camp Orientation, and Fish Week – St. Agnes gives students time to specifically connect with their fellow peers and their faith through Grade Level Retreats.
Learn more about the value of our retreats to build Catholic school community that will pay off throughout your daughter’s entire time at St. Agnes.
How Do Our Grade Level Retreats Work?
Grade Level Retreats are an essential part of St. Agnes’ Catholic identity and critical to students’ faith-based education. They are organized by St. Agnes’ Campus Ministry and Dominican Preaching Team (DPT), and each year focuses on a different Dominican Pillar.
1. Freshmen – Community
2. Sophomores – Study
3. Juniors – Prayer
4. Seniors – Preaching
Students spend a few days with their grade level serving their community, attending Mass, understanding church teachings and our faith traditions, connecting with their grade, and finding God. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect during the first retreat as a freshman.
9th Grade Retreat
The 9th Grade Retreat is, of course, the first retreat students attend during their time at St. Agnes. It typically lasts for two days and one night at Camp for All at the end of September, focusing on the Dominican Pillar of Community.
The 9th graders are grouped off into cabins led by groups of senior-year Dominican Preaching Team Members. Students learn about St. Agnes’ Dominican heritage, what high school has in store for them, and more about their faith in God.
Students will also spend time doing volunteer work, playing games, dancing, attending service, and talking with their small group. During this time, students can make friends and create connections with their class.
The retreat is also one of the first times freshmen are introduced to Campus Ministry and Dominican Preaching Team – two organizations that play a critical role in St. Agnes’ Catholic faith.
The Campus Ministry and Dominican Preaching Team put hours of effort into creating a meaningful experience for freshmen: organizing site visits, coordinating buses, finding volunteers, and providing a memorable time for the 9th graders.
This retreat is a particularly important moment in your daughter’s Catholic education at St. Agnes. By the time the retreat occurs, the freshmen have spent a few weeks getting situated in their academic life, and the 9th Grade Retreat provides a setting for students to truly connect as a class.
During this time, students are given the opportunity to explore new friendships outside of the classroom and discover more about the role they have in their class.
What Happens After Freshman Year?
In the following years as an Academy Woman, students continue to attend these Grade Level Retreats. However, each year offers a new, different experience for each class.
- Sophomores spend time involved in active service throughout the Houston area, lending hands to local non-profit organizations.
- Juniors take the retreat and rest from a busy academic year to reflect on their relationship with God and Jesus Christ through prayer.
- Seniors take one last chance to bond with their classmates and consider their next steps in life.
Get Ready to Find Your Place in Our Catholic School Community
As your daughter begins her academic journey at St. Agnes, it’s important to remember the importance of community. St. Agnes goes beyond academics to care for your daughter’s entire person, and being part of our Catholic school community is an integral part of these four years.
We can help you and your daughter prepare for the 9th Grade Retreat that will kickstart her journey. Get in touch with our Student Life team to learn everything you need to know about this important retreat.
