We are proud to announce the newest Gurian Institute (GI) Regional Center for Excellence at Crespi Carmelite High School (Crespi) in Encino, California.  Serving the whole Los Angeles area, as well as students from overseas, Crespi embodies generations of educational excellence.  It became the Gurian Institute’s first Model School in 2006.  It is now a Gurian Institute Center for Excellence!

Today’s post is devoted to introducing you to this remarkable school and the Center.  You can also learn more about Crespi Carmelite High School at https://www.crespi.org/.

“When parents choose to send their students to our Catholic schools, they want their children to receive a world-class education centered on values and virtue. They want their kids to grow up to be well-rounded adults in constant pursuit of truth and service. The pandemic hasn’t changed that aspiration, nor our centuries-old promise to those parents and their families.”  Timothy Dolan, Cardinal-Archbishop of New York.

This quote reveals the heart of Crespi, whose mission statement is:  “to build men of character and faith unified in brotherhood and formed through a contemporary, Catholic, college preparatory education in the Carmelite tradition of prayer, community, and service.”  The school’s vision statement echoes this approach:   “to be a dynamic learning community where tradition and innovation prepare Crespi Men for success in all facets of life.

Crespi provides a much needed rite-of-passage, over a four year period, in which boys move forward to becoming empathic, discerning, and successful men. “If you believe boys and girls are wired differently,” Crespi’s admissions statement reads, “then Crespi is for you.”  Crespi takes this very seriously.  Layering its own Catholic vision of male development with a science-based approach,  Crespi provides academic rigor, athletic accomplishment, social-emotional growth, and personal evolution for each boy in its care.

Crespi Carmelite High School and The Gurian Institute

The Gurian Institute has been honored to provide and support a science-based approach to boys and girls for 25 years.   In 2004, Kathy Stevens, the GI Executive Director at that time, visited Crespi to train teachers, parents, and the community in this approach.  Her visit was very well received, and inspired later visits by Michael Gurian and others in the GI family.  Crespi also decided to certify GI Trainers at the school, and Crespi fulfilled all the requirements for designation of Gurian Model School in 2006.

Rob Kodama, Crespi Admissions Director and Certified Gurian Master Trainer, has provided this testimonial about the GI – Crespi relationship:

“We have embraced the Gurian Institute and this has enhanced our school in numerous ways.  As the Director of Admissions, Marketing, and Public Relations, I can report that The Gurian Institute team has helped us rise above our competing schools. We have come to the forefront of educating boys in the Los Angeles area.”  To access the Center for Excellence at Crespi, please contact Rob at rkodama@crespi.org.

You can also see the Center for Excellence featured on our www.gurianinstitute.com website at:  https://gurianinstitute.com/the-gurian-center-for-excellence-at-crespi-carmelite-high-school/.

What is a GI Center for Excellence?

A Gurian Institute Center for Excellence is a partnership between a school or organization and GI to bring boy and girl friendly education into a region.  In this case, the new Center at Crespi serves the Los Angeles area with access to programming and resources that can help schools, organizations, parents, and community members to serve the needs of the children in their care.

With the Center up and running at Crespi, schools and others in the community will have regional access to services and products that can help them.   Crespi Certified and Master Trainers can visit the schools to provide programs.  Michael Gurian and the rest of the larger Gurian Institute are also available to the community through the Center.

More About the Crespi Way

Here’s more about Crespi from the school’s literature.

At Crespi Carmelite High School, pursuing an ethical and moral life is a key component in the process of becoming a Crespi Man.  As faculty, staff, parents, students, and board members, we all call ourselves Celts.  As such, we each bear a responsibility for not only modeling persistence, grit, and high standards, but also for building Crespi’s reputation as an academic institution.

Holding ourselves to a high standard of ethical behavior while also looking out for each other is the Crespi Way. This means we nurture an environment of mutual respect. Celts are leaders who do not harass, harm, or take advantage of members of the community at large. Celts are role models, even when no one is watching. Celts also understand that circumventing the learning process leads to negative long-term consequences and are therefore persistent in their efforts to reach their goals. Celts understand that when their backs are up against the wall, and are presented with a challenging opportunity, that it is that moment that true growth happens. Essentially, striving for our best is the Crespi Way.

There is a special bond that binds all members of the Crespi Family. We are all called to strive for fairness and honesty in our dealings with others, to hold ourselves to high moral standards, to treat everyone with respect, and strive for excellence in everything we do as Celts. By doing this, we create a school we can all be proud of and serve as a model for others.

The Crespi Man Is…

As a moral and spiritual person, the Crespi Man understands the Catholic Christian tradition as applied to personal formation and world events; is committed to living an ethical life as reflected through the holy Gospels; zealously pursues a relationship with God using prayer, reflection and study as modeled through the 800 year Carmelite tradition; recognizes and respects the personal gifts, diversity and dignity of all people.

As a lifelong learner, the Crespi Man uses logical, analytical, and creative thinking skills; uses appropriate, accurate, effective and creative language to express himself; uses current strategies and technologies to solve problems and extend his knowledge; applies his learning across the curriculum and real-life situations; engages intellectual curiosity.

As a productive and mature person, the Crespi Man strives to enhance and maintain physical, mental and emotional well-being; appreciates the arts and explores his individual creativity; accepts challenges in order to grow and takes responsibility for his actions; develops social skills to form life-long relationships; understands and participates in the democratic process; improves the community through his commitment to service and social justice.

Learn More

Learn more about Crespi at www.crespi.org.  If you are in the Los Angeles area, please to come to Crespi’s campus to hear Michael Gurian speak on October 11, 2022.  To learn more about Michael’s visit, contact Rob Kodama, Director of Admissions (rkodama@crespi.org).