The House System
The House System serves as a platform for interscholastic competition and collaboration throughout the school year. At Holy Spirit Prep, students are placed in a House which they will call their own for the rest of their lives. The House System also provides the scaffolding for our Student Government, with 34 total leadership positions available to high school students. Friendly competitions occur regularly throughout the year, as all four houses compete for points with the ultimate goal of being crowned the “Winning House” at the end of the school year.
House Leadership
- Head Boy: Emil Sacco
- Head Girl: Analise Oliver
- House of Nicaea President: Riordan Gatwood
- House of Lyons President: Nicholas Purvis
- House of Trent President: Aleksander Grigorian
- House of Chalcedon President: Alexa Padilla
Emil Sacco
Head Boy
“Since I began attending Holy Spirit Prep six years ago, it has been a dream of mine to serve as Head Boy – and now that dream has become a reality. 1 Peter 4:10 reads: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” This year, I aim to fully embody this verse as I do my best to give back to the place and people who have given me so much. The Holy Spirit Prep community has helped me grow in ways I never could have imagined – academically, socially, spiritually – and as Head Boy, my goal is to help others grow likewise and become the strong Catholic men and women God is calling them to be. I am greatly blessed to be working with an amazing group of fellow student governors who value service as their top priority, and I cannot wait to see how God works through us over the course of the school year.”
Analise Oliver
Head Girl
“I am so excited and honored to serve Holy Spirit Preparatory School as this year's Head Girl! I have attended HSP since Pre-K and have received countless blessings during my time here. The supportive community that HSP fosters has shaped me into the young woman that I am today. As Head Girl, it will be my privilege to lead others by example, as previous Head Girls did for me, helping ensure every student succeeds – academically and spiritually. I take this responsibility seriously, and will work closely with Emil and the new House presidents to ensure that the House system is run with enthusiasm and efficiency.”
The Four Houses
Nick Purvis
House of Lyons
“I am extremely honored to be the House of Lyons President this year. I have attended HSP since Pre-K and was placed into the House of Lyons when I entered 5th grade. At that point, I did not realize the impact that the House system would have on me, helping strengthen my connection with other classmen through participation in House competitions. This year, the House of Lyons leadership is very strong, and I believe we have a fairly competitive team. As House of Lyons President, my goal is not only to win the House trophy, but to bring our House and community closer together.”
Riordan Gatwood
House of Nicaea
“Words cannot express how honored I am to be leading the House of Nicaea this year. When I first came to HSP in sixth grade, I knew exactly which House I wished to join: the House with the coolest mascot and a reputation for success. I have been a proud member of Nicaea ever since, and I can’t wait to lead our House to victory with the help of our leadership team! I will be working closely with Vice President Samantha Vazquez to ensure a fun and successful year. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Nicaea, and I will do everything in my power to ensure an enjoyable, memorable, and remarkable year! As our House motto declares: Veritas, Virtus, TRIUMPHUS!”
Alexa Padilla
House of Chalcedon
“I am delighted to be the new President for the House of Chalcedon! I have been at Holy Spirit Prep since fourth grade and have always been inspired by the House system, which provides students with a warm and welcoming community to be a part of. I cannot wait to expand the House system and implement new and fun elements in order to bring more spirit to the House, especially for incoming members. I am also looking forward to working closely with Issac Olguin, my vice president, and the other leaders who will be a part of my team. I am excited to make this a fun and memorable year for everyone, and am so thankful to have this opportunity to be president!”
Alek Grigorian
House of Trent
“I am thrilled to have been chosen to lead the House of Trent in this upcoming school year! I have attended Holy Spirit Prep since third grade and have formed countless unforgettable friendships and memories ever since. I will never forget the day I was initiated into the House of Trent in 5th grade. This event was particularly memorable as it marked an entrance into a new family and further solidified a sense of belonging within the school, unifying students from both the Upper and Lower School under a shared goal: to grow in virtue and to triumph above the other Houses at the end of the academic year. In the coming year, I hope to invigorate Trent morale by organizing fun and exciting flex events as well as various methods of fundraising to allow for more House exclusive lunches and other functions. I am so grateful to be collaborating with the entire House of Trent, as well as the other officers and vice president, Kaitlyn Hatchew to make these goals a reality. Thank you, and Sapientia Vitam Da!”
Clubs & Apostolates
Our many clubs and apostolates meet before, during, or after the school day, depending on the club members and sponsor. Some groups also go on field trips or do other types of weekend work (e.g. serving at a soup kitchen on Saturday mornings).
Lower School Clubs
Boys Club (Grades 1-8)
The goal of Boys Club is to teach boys the importance of leading by example. In the club, each age group has a specific role to play as they learn to support one another: 6th-8th grade boys are trained to be mentors and examples of virtue for the 1st-5th grade boys, while the middle school boys help the younger boys prepare presentations and organize games for them. The boys will also be given opportunities to serve communities in need. Email Father Andrew at agronotte@holyspiritprep.org for more information.
Girls iFaith (Grades 1-5)
Girls of faith come together to better know and love Christ – and each other.
Gymnastics (Grades K-5)
Professional instructors teach beginning fundamental skills of gymnastics with exercises on the uneven bars, floor, vault, and balance beam. Please visit www.airbornegymnasticsclubusa.com for more information.
Playball (Grades K-5)
Students learn new sports and activities in a non-competitive environment with kind and patient coaching. Games and skills practiced include: basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, hockey, frisbee, throwing, catching, ball control, balance, flexibility, running, jumping, and more. *Inclusive modifications are always available. Please contact us prior to your child’s first lesson at https://atlantaplayball.com/schools.
Robotics (Grades 3-5)
Stemtree Robotics helps students apply their knowledge and skills of basic science, model construction, computer programming, and problem solving to explore engineering and robotics. Program costs are as indicated and inclusive of student material: (e.g., laptops, tablets, robotics kits, etc.) student progress binders, software, USB drives, and student assessments. Stemtree will provide all supplies that are needed to conduct sessions. Visit www.stemtree.com/buckhead for more information or call 678-819-2386.
Spanish (Grades 1-5)
The Spanish enrichment program by Brilliant Bilingual consists of weekly hands-on immersion-style Spanish. The program uses a 21st century learning approach, which includes virtual reality field trips to Latin America, online learning subscriptions and parent guides for home support, fluent certified world language teachers on staff, and much more! All learning materials included.
Middle School Clubs
Boys Club (Grades 1-8)
The goal of Boys Club is to teach boys the importance of leading by example. In the club, each age group has a specific role to play as they learn to support one another: 6th-8th grade boys are trained to be mentors and examples of virtue for the 1st-5th grade boys, while the middle school boys help the younger boys prepare presentations and organize games for them. The boys will also be given opportunities to serve communities in need. Email Father Andrew at agronotte@holyspiritprep.org for more information.
Girls ECYD Challenge (Grades 6-8)
ECYD Challenge is a club for 6th–8th grade girls of faith to come together to better know and love Christ – and each other, as they share Christ’s love through service projects.
Robotics (Grades 6-8)
Stemtree Robotics helps students apply their knowledge and skills of basic science, model construction, computer programming, and problem solving to explore engineering and robotics. Program costs are as indicated and inclusive of student material: (e.g., laptops, tablets, robotics kits, etc.) student progress binders, software, USB drives, and student assessments. Stemtree will provide all supplies that are needed to conduct sessions. Visit www.stemtree.com/buckhead for more information or call 678-819-2386
Spanish (Grades 6-8)
The Spanish enrichment program by Brilliant Bilingual consists of weekly hands-on immersion-style Spanish. The program uses a 21st century learning approach, which includes virtual reality field trips to Latin America, online learning subscriptions and parent guides for home support, fluent certified world language teachers on staff, and much more! All learning materials included.
High School Clubs
Alpha Phi
A girls’ sorority dedicated to acts of service. Projects include: visiting soup kitchens, running a blood drive, and raising money for non-profit organizations.
Chess
A club that meets regularly to engage in the timeless battle of chess. Members also compete in a variety of tournaments throughout the year.
Current Events and World Cultures Club
This club meets to discuss world cultures and issues affecting societies around the world.
Delta Omega
A boys’ fraternity dedicated to anonymous acts of service on campus.
F1 Club
A club dedicated to introducing students to engineering, project management, branding and marketing, and teamwork through the lens of F1 racing.
Future Business Leaders of America
A group focusing on the financial markets, including paper trading accounts where students compete against each other for financial returns.
National Art Honor Society
A group focused on promoting the visual arts throughout campus and creating art for special campus events.
National Honor Society
A nationwide invite-only organization for high school students. Selection is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Overbooked
A book club where students read a monthly book, then gather to discuss it.
Spanish
A club celebrating the Spanish language, culture, and cuisine.
Two Hearts Club
A support group for students coping with the loss or illness of a parent.
Apostolates
Pro-Life
Charism: Bury the dead, respect life
- Supports the pro-life cause in various ways such as monthly rosaries, pro-life debates, participation in the Atlanta Right to Life speech contest, and a trip to the annual Washington, D.C. March for Life
St. Joseph’s Cohort
Charism: Shelter the homeless
- Throughout the school year, students will engage in assisting the underprivileged through works of home repair and construction in the Atlanta area, and will also have the opportunity to continue this work during a one-week summer trip out of Georgia.
St. Vincent de Paul
Charism: Clothe the naked, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty
- Focuses on the neediest of Atlanta – the hungry and homeless. The group gathers clothing for needy families and partners with the Atlanta Food Bank with visits to the soup kitchen and homeless shelter.