Faith
Faith at Marian University Preparatory School
Marian University Preparatory School (MU Prep) is an independent Catholic school operating under the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and sponsored by Marian University, a Catholic institution. MU Prep welcomes students of all faiths who seek an educational experience framed within the context of our Franciscan values: dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship.
Faith at MU Prep is ever-present and visible in the fabric of our school. It guides the way faculty, administration, staff, and students relate to one another and how visitors are welcomed into our community. We consider our faith in action in the following ways:
- Our students and families are hyper-focused on what they love and value;
- Our teachers are leaders of joy, integrity, knowledge, and care;
- Our community learns as they live and is motivated by growth, discovery, dignity, and understanding; and
- Our graduates cultivate these mindsets: master what you love, live life joyfully, lead with integrity, and apply your God-given talents for the greater good.
In our pursuit to keep faith at the forefront of all we do, and in collaboration with parents and guardians as primary educators, we aim to uphold the standards and benchmarks of the National Catholic Education Association:
- Mission and Catholic Identity
- Governance and Leadership
- Academic Excellence
- Operational Vitality
Faith Curriculum
Elementary School Faith Curriculum
At Marian University Preparatory School, the elementary Religion program follows RCL Benziger’s Blest Are We Faith in Action, offering practical ways to help students live their faith throughout their lives. The program is structured around grade-level themes that build a strong foundation in faith.
Kindergarten: Focuses on God’s love for us.
Grade 1: Emphasizes our families, the Holy Family, and the Church Family.
Grade 2: Centers on the Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Community.
Grade 3: Explores the Catholic Church’s structure and core beliefs.
Grade 4: Teaches the moral principles of the Catholic Church.
Grade 5: Focuses on understanding the seven sacraments.
Middle School Faith Curriculum
The middle school faith curriculum uses “Blest Are We” materials. The four chapters in each unit correlate to the four pillars of the Catechism: What Catholics Believe, How Catholics Worship, How Catholics Live, and How Catholics Pray.
- Grade 6 themes focus on the Old Testament
- Grade 7 themes focus on the New Testament
- Grade 8 themes focus on the history of the Catholic Church
High School Faith Curriculum
The high school faith curriculum uses the Ave Maria Press “Encountering Jesus” Series. These materials are authentic, complete, and in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ave Maria Press textbooks reflect a divine pedagogical approach by employing two complementary methods: the experiential (inductive) method and the kerygmatic (deductive) method. The texts build on this foundation by helping students understand how the principles and truths of the faith give meaning and purpose to their lives. Through the study of Scripture, the Creed, the Church, the liturgy and the Sacraments, and Christian morality, students are led progressively to a deeper understanding and practice of their faith.