Vision Statement

Catholic means universal, and we welcome students from all backgrounds, as Jesus was welcoming to all people. We affirm that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, and is endowed with inherent human dignity and infinite worth. We believe God is at the center of the human search for meaning, and the perennial questions asked by our students—who am I? what is goodness? how am I to live?— find their answers in God. We assist our students in their search for God as the foundation of their lives. We seek student growth in grace: the regenerative power of Christ that lifts hearts and transforms lives.

“Love of learning and the desire for God” are joined in the Benedictine tradition. Love of learning is grounded in wonder, undertaken in humility, and fueled by the hunger for truth. Our students are called to a close reading of classic texts and critical engagement with the written word. Our research-driven science program enables students to be keen observers of the world around them. We foster engagement in fine arts and athletics as key dimensions of human excellence. Education in the Catholic intellectual tradition forms us in the things that matter: truth, goodness, and beauty.

Our shared life of study, prayer, and recreation sustains a community characterized by friendship and joy. Called to live in mutual service to each other, we seek the growth of our members as individuals, while advancing the common good. We nurture the talents of each of our students for energetic leadership and service in our own community and throughout the world.

Dr. Katie Zins '04

"Being a Raven means supporting each other as we grow in community. In teaching Humanities, I feel like I am a student again, constantly learning from conversations with my students and from reading books of the past that have the power to speak to us in the present. I try to model this love of learning for my students and show them the rewards of embarking on this journey together. What’s more is that Abbey students have the chance to live out what they learn in the classroom in other aspects of their lives – whether in the house, on the stage, on the field, or in our daily interactions with one another. Getting to be a witness to and participant in this process is a privilege and part of what makes working here so exciting. "

Dr. Bryndol Sones

Math Department

“It means a lot!  There is a certain sanctity to this campus and our learning environment.  The teachers are top notch, experts in their discipline and dedicated to our mission of helping students grow in knowledge and grace.  The students stand out for their respect, commitment, hard work, and intellectual curiosity to learn more and get better.  And the facilities (academic, athletic, arts, and student life) resemble the best you might find at a small college.  It is an honor to teach here and to be a part of the RAVEN team.”

Genevieve Gralton

"My experience at Portsmouth Abbey was instrumental in shaping who I am today. The rigorous academics prepared me for a very different academic system in the UK. Outside of studies, my passion for running was born at the Abbey (however, my "runs" are more like leisurely jogs, not the hill sprints in the rain, next to the bay that Mr. McDonough would have us endure). Most importantly, at Portsmouth Abbey, I learned a strong sense of self and the value of true friendship."

Mrs. Susan McCarthy

"Before I began teaching at Portsmouth Abbey, I was a chemical engineer at the North Carolina Division of Air Quality. Now while teaching AP Statistics, I try to bring in real-world applications into the classroom as much as possible even if it doesn’t relate to chemical engineering or the environment. The students really get into the real-life applications, and the quality of their work is amazing."

Ella

"Portsmouth Abbey School has become so much more than a school to me. It is a community that encourages you to grow. I have found that no matter who you are or what you do, someone is always there cheering you on."