Boarding School Review - Established 2003

St. Bernard Preparatory School

1600 St. Bernard Drive, S.E. Cullman AL 35055
Tel: (256) 255-5890
stbernardprep.com
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 133 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $34,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $13,000
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo #4 - Over the last 5 years the the graduating classes from St. Bernard have averaged $1.8 million in scholarship offers per 25 students. St. Bernard graduates go on to a wide array of colleges and universities across the country
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo #5 - High school students are allowed to enjoy lunch outside, weather permitting, and have a large central quad available for visiting with friends
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo #6
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo #7 - The majority of students choose to participate in the fine arts offerings at St. Bernard.St Bernard has 3 different bands, 3 choirs, a spring musical and more. Each year the choir preforms a Christmas concert in the Abbey Church.
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo #8 - Roughly 35% of the student body take advantage of the boarding program available at St. Bernard. A strong residential life team helps guide and support each boarding student as they grow in confidence and learn independence.
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo #9 - St. Bernard is located in Cullman Alabama on a beautiful campus consisting of over 800 acres. Founded by Benedictine monks in 1891
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo #10 - St. Bernard encourages participation in a variety of extracurricular programs including sports. St. Bernard currently offers 11 varsity sports.
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

About the School

  • St. Bernard Preparatory School strives to create an environment that encourages student growth in self-discipline, respect for self and others, and mature social interaction.
  • The college preparatory curriculum is based on the liberal arts: languages and literature, history, mathematics, science, theology and the arts.
  • This program emphasizes the ability to think, to read with understanding, to express oneself with precision and grace, and to solve problems creatively.
  • Courses not only provide the transmission and reception of facts, they encourage the development of mental and physical discipline, of breadth and depth of view, of responsible thought and action, and of critical thinking.
  • The school motto, Corpus, Mens, Spiritus (Body, Mind, Spirit) indicates the mission of St. Bernard Preparatory: "St. Bernard Preparatory School is committed to fully engaging students in learning for the whole person: body, mind and spirit.
  • St. Bernard pursues this mission through the search for truth and the striving for goodness in the classroom, through participation in religious, social and athletic events, and by involvement in mentoring and community service activities.
  • Founded and administered by the Benedictine Monks of St. Bernard Abbey, the school stands on 1,500 years of monastic history and experience of the love for learning.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 133 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $34,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $13,000
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

St. Bernard Preparatory School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Affordability
High percentage of students on financial aid

School Overview

2026 School Data
St. Bernard Preparatory School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
7-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Catholic
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1891
1906
Campus Size
900 acres
125 acres
School Motto
Corpus ∙ Mens ∙ Spiritus

Student Body

Enrollment
133 students
320 students
% Students of Color
10%
27%
% International Students
4%
21%
% Students Boarding
25%
65%
Average SAT Score
1290
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Blazer
Casual
Average Class Size
20 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
73%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
Accreditations
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
# of AP Courses Offered
12
18

Tuition & Financial Aid

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$34,000
(* Includes all fees, uniforms excepted.)
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$13,000
(* Includes all fees, uniforms excepted.)
$40,000
Tuition international students
$55,000
$58,650
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$33,300
$50,000
Summer Program Cost
$650
% Students on Financial Aid
70%
40%
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

Request Information

Step 1 of 2
Step 2 of 2

Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
80%
64%
Director of Admissions
Tom Mayer
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
9
17
Sports
BaseballBasketball
BowlingCheering
Cross Country RunningSoccer
TennisTrack and Field
Volleyball
Colors
Blue and Gold
School Mascot
Saints

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
10
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Chess ClubDoves of the Altar
Knights of the Alter


Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber EnsembleConcert Band
High School ChoirJazz Band
Middle School ChoirTheater


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Archery Club

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

    St. Bernard Preparatory School admits students who seek to prepare for college and university studies and who are academically capable of excelling through standard college prep instructional and testing methods. The school endeavors to challenge each student to academic excellence through a rigorous and reasonablecollege preparatory program, including AP courses and dual-enrollment in college courses.
  • St. Bernard graduates are accepted to numerous prestigious colleges and universities.
  • ACT and SAT scores consistently rank well above the national average.
  • Cultural diversity is promoted through our international student population.
  • Highly-educated and experienced faculty of Monks and Lay personnel.
  • Extensive athletics program as well as a full spectrum of visual and performing arts.
  • Safe, secure environment on the picturesque 900 acres of St. Bernard Abbey.
  • Located in North Alabama in the quaint community of Cullman (originally founded by German immigrants in 1877),an hour drive north of Birmingham,an hour south of Huntsville, two hours from Nashville, TN,and three hours from Atlanta, GA.
  • Residential life that promotes growth, maturity and the self-knowledge that comes through a healthy measure of independence and self-reliance.
Source: Verified school update
REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does St. Bernard Preparatory School cost?
St. Bernard Preparatory School's tuition is approximately $34,000 for boarding students and $13,000 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of St. Bernard Preparatory School?
The acceptance rate of St. Bernard Preparatory School is 80%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
What sports does St. Bernard Preparatory School offer?
St. Bernard Preparatory School offers 9 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheering, Cross Country Running, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.
Does St. Bernard Preparatory School offer a summer program?
Yes, St. Bernard Preparatory School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is St. Bernard Preparatory School's ranking?
St. Bernard Preparatory School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of students on financial aid.
When is the application deadline for St. Bernard Preparatory School?
The application deadline for St. Bernard Preparatory School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Submit Review for St. Bernard Preparatory School Earn $20 by submitting your alumni review!

Recent Articles

How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How much free time do boarding students really have? Learn how to evaluate schedules, homework, weekend obligations, activity requirements, and everyday routines before choosing a school that fits your child.
Boarding School Support During a Family Crisis
Boarding School Support During a Family Crisis
Learn how boarding schools can support students during family illness, bereavement, divorce, or emergencies, and what parents should ask about communication, counseling, academic flexibility, travel, privacy, and ongoing care arrangements.
Boarding School for an Only Child: Social Adjustment
Boarding School for an Only Child: Social Adjustment
Considering boarding school for an only child? Learn which questions to ask about roommates, friendships, privacy, adult support, and family communication before choosing a school that fits your child’s needs.

Featured Schools

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 133 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $34,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $13,000
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
School location map

Contact St. Bernard Preparatory School about admissions and next steps.

Request information →

Most Popular Articles

How Boarding Schools Evolved in the United States
How Boarding Schools Evolved in the United States
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Understanding the Post-Graduate (PG) Year
Understanding the Post-Graduate (PG) Year
 Boarding School Admissions Timeline 2026–2027 Checklist
Boarding School Admissions Timeline 2026–2027 Checklist
 School Mottoes
School Mottoes

More Articles

Archive
Choosing a School
Financing
Why Boarding School
Admissions

Quick Links

Find:
Search:
Use:
View: