The Cistercians came to Texas with a vision: to build a secondary school that would combine academic excellence with Christian faith, morals, and spirituality. The Cistercians' outlook on life served as the basis for their educational philosophy. Foremost in their minds was the conviction that the search for God was the purpose of every human life. They also sought to promote all human values and integrate all forms of learning into the journey toward God. Our school's motto is Ardere et Lucere, to be enkindled and to enlighten. At its best, Cistercian Preparatory School is a community in which every boy's natural capacity to know and to work for the good of others is enkindled so that he can then go forth and enlighten the world in which he will live.
