Hope for Their Transformation Must Never Be Lost: Mission and Charism Aligned Student Discipline at a Brothers of the Sacred Heart High School

Abstract

An ordered and structured environment is a key tenet of Catholic K-12 schools. Yet, how discipline is understood and maintained in a Catholic school setting, in accordance with a school’s specific mission and charism, remains unclear. This study explored how teachers and administrators at a Brothers of the Sacred Heart high school in the United States understand and maintain student discipline in accordance with the governing documents of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. A case study at a Brothers of the Sacred Heart secondary school in the Northeast was conducted. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Findings revealed that discipline at this school is rooted in reflection, relational trust, dignity, and hope in student potential, all of which reflect the Brothers’ mission and the charism of Fr. Andre Coindre, as well as the broader Catholic mission of whole-person formation. This article seeks to help Catholic school leaders understand how their school’s mission and associated charism influences school policies and procedures.