Community

The House System

What are “houses”?

The House system is the heart of the Providence Upper School culture. 

When students left home to attend boarding schools or universities in England or early America, they were assigned to “houses” in which they lived, ate, and socialized.  Faculty members were assigned to oversee house life and provide pastoral care to students. Senior level students and junior level students were put together to allow for mentorship.

Houses formed their own cultures with colors, mottos, and traditions. Later, athletic and academic competitions between houses emerged. Harvard, Yale, Rice, and other American universities, as well as many classical upper schools, still use houses today as a way to promote loyalty and learning within the school.

At Providence, we provide the house system as an opportunity for students to enjoy school as they grow in community, service, and leadership.  Houses are smaller communities of fifth through twelfth grade students who socialize and serve within the larger school community.

We have houses …

List of 5 items.

  • - To foster a culture of kindness and unity at Providence

  • - To provide structure for social interaction

  • - To provide avenues of leadership opportunities for older students

  • - To provide opportunities for healthy competition among students

  • - To have fun!

Key Elements

  • House Howdy

    At the annual summer House Officer retreat, student leaders and sponsors determine house placement for new Upper School students. On the first day of school, all Upper School students participate in the House Howdy, an event designed to welcome new students into the school community. Students remain in the same house throughout their years in Providence Upper School.

  • House Fridays

    Each Friday, our students sit together, by house, in chapel and in dedicated rooms for lunch. During each Friday chapel, we announce winners of house points throughout the week (teachers, coaches, and staff award points for academic and character achievement). We often have community-building activities during house lunch.

  • Student Governance

    Houses are led by student officers, and faculty members serve as House sponsors. These officers manage communication, lead Friday activities, and lead service projects and social events. Students run for office each Spring.

  • Spring Fest

    Many Providence students will tell you that Spring Fest is their favorite day of the school year! In the morning, Upper School House members lead games and contests for the Lower School students. In the afternoon, Upper School students themselves participate in the House Olympics. Several competitions (Tug-O-War, 100-yard dash, mile run, trivia, Capture the Flag, and the Spirit Stick) are passionate traditions!

  • Fall Fling

    In the Fall, students of all ages dress up like a historical or literary figure, and each House organizes games for the Lower School students. 

  • House Cup

    Over the course of the year, the school keeps track of points awarded to House members. On the final Friday of the school year, the winning house is presented with the House Cup.
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Augustine

List of 5 items.

  • House Hero

    Augustine of Hippo was an early Christian theologian who lived in the fourth century. Widely respected throughout the religious world, his writings influenced the formation of Western Christianity and philosophy.  Among his most famous works are City of God and Confessions.  

  • House Colors

    Blue and White

  • House Motto

    “Pro Infinito - For Eternity”

  • House Scripture

     “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2

  • Quote

    “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” – Augustine of Hippo

Bonhoeffer

List of 5 items.

  • House Hero

    Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran Pastor and theologian who stood against Nazi Germany during World War II. Some of his written works, like The Cost of Discipleship, Life Together, and Letters and Papers from Prison, are considered modern Christian classics. Bonhoeffer helped to found a church called the Confessing Church, which resisted Hitler’s attempts to make the Protestant church in Germany an arm of the Nazi party. He served as a double-agent in the war and was part of an attempt to assassinate Hitler. Bonhoeffer was imprisoned and, ultimately, executed at a Nazi concentration camp, just twenty-three days before the Germans surrendered.

  • House Colors

    Murray and Silver

  • House Motto

    “Per Christum Vincimus - Through Christ We Conquer”

  • House Scripture

    “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

  • Quote

    “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Elliot

List of 5 items.

  • House Heroes

    Jim and Elisabeth Elliot were American missionaries to the Waodani people of Ecuador. At the age of 28, Jim was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize this unreached tribe. After his death, Elisabeth and some of the other wives, showing God’s grace and forgiveness to the Auca people, went to live among the Auca tribe. Many of the tribe were led to Christ through the ministry of the missionaries’ wives.  Elisabeth Elliot became an influential speaker and writer of Christian books. Passion and Purity tells the story of Elisabeth and Jim’s courtship, and Through the Gates of Splendor recounts the details of Jim Elliot’s mission and death.

  • House Colors

    Red and Gold

  • House Motto

    “Mors aculeum amisit - Death has lost its sting.”

  • House Scripture

     “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ” – 1 Corinthians 15:54

  • Quote

    “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  Jim Elliot

Wilberforce

List of 5 items.

  • House Hero

    William Wilberforce devoted his life to the abolition of the slave trade in Great Britain.  He was a member of Parliament, which gave him a wonderful opportunity to influence decisions that would ultimately affect the world. Wilberforce was greatly influenced by John Newton, a former slave ship driver who wrote “Amazing Grace” as a story of God’s saving grace for himself and for every person. Despite great illness and tribulation, Wilberforce fought for the abolition of slavery for over 25 years until he died three days after it was abolished in 1833.

  • House Colors

    Purple and Green

  • House Motto

    “Mirabilis Venia - Amazing Grace”

  • House Scripture

    “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

  • Quote

    “There are four things that we ought to do with the Word of God-admit it as the Word of God, commit it to our hearts and minds, submit to it, and transmit it to the world.” – William Wilberforce
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Providence Preparatory is an accredited, private PK-12 school
partnering with families in Belton, Temple, Salado, Killeen, Harker Heights,
and the Greater Central Texas Area to provide their students a rich Christian and classical education.