Lasallian Identity
The West Catholic Prep experience is rooted in a Catholic Lasallian education, making the high school experience here different than other schools in the Philadelphia region. Following in the footsteps of de La Salle, the Christian Brothers - along with teachers, staff, and students - uphold the spirit of Lasallian principles. We are dedicated to the ministry of providing a human and Christian education to our students.
St. John Baptist de la Salle
The Christian Brothers arrived at West Philadelphia Catholic Boys High School in 1927. They are the spiritual descendents of St. John Baptist de la Salle, the patron Saint of teachers. La Salle was the son of aristocratic parents, and had the opportunity for an excellent education and went on to be ordained a priest. He fully intended to work among the wealthy people of his area throughout his career. Unexpectedly, De La Salle’s life changed dramatically. A promise to a dying friend to assist a group of Sisters in their work with orphan girls brought De La Salle to education. Further assistance to a friend starting a school for poor boys in Rheims solidified his true vocation as an educator, an endeavor which would consume his entire life.
The Christian Brothers
West Catholic Prep is a part of the global network of Christian Brother ministries. We are specficially a part of the District of Eastern North America (DENA) is a community of over 240 Brothers of the Christian Schools and 5,000+ Lasallian partners and associates, who together sponsor and operate more than 30 ministries. The Christian Brothers arrived at West Philadelphia Catholic Boys High School in 1927. They are the spiritual descendents of St. John Baptist de la Salle, the patron Saint of teachers. They were administrators and teachers at West Catholic Boys and continued to lead and teach at West Catholic when the boys and girls schools' combined in 1989. We still have Christian Brothers on our staff at West Catholic Prep today.