Spirituality

The Positive Impact of Spirituality

Spirituality helps children grow into themselves. It fosters gratitude, optimism, empathy, and resilience—and offers a framework for navigating the ups and downs of life with perspective and grace. Research bears this out:

In The Spiritual Child, psychologist Lisa Miller of Columbia University presents compelling research on the link between spirituality and well-being. Children with an active spiritual life show a strong sense of meaning and purpose, higher academic achievement, and are 40% less likely to use or abuse substances and 60% less likely to become depressed as teenagers.

In How God Works, psychologist David DeSteno—an agnostic—explores how practices drawn from various faith traditions, from Buddhist meditation to Jewish mourning rituals, offer comfort, build compassion, and are closely tied to health and happiness.

Chapel Talks

Chapel talks are given by teachers, coaches, alumni, the Headmaster—and, in seventh grade, the boys themselves. The topics vary, but the aim is steady: to help boys reflect on what it means to live with purpose, humility, and integrity. Speakers shape their words to meet their audience, offering stories and lessons that stay with the boys long after the day has moved on. And over time, Chapel talks become a daily habit of listening, thinking, seeing beyond themselves, and imagining how to serve the greater good.

Community Service

At Saint David’s, spirituality takes shape in action. The good lies in doing good—and meaningful opportunities to do so are woven throughout a boy’s experience. In fourth grade, they lead a school-wide service project in support of The Seeing Eye. In sixth, they work with Nobel Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee to support the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa’s Book Bag Drive. In seventh, boys spend time each week with residents of a nearby assisted living facility. Eighth graders design a signature service project each year. Past efforts have supported hurricane relief and helped fund a school in Ethiopia. And, each summer, Saint David’s alumni return to serve as volunteers for Horizons at Saint David’s, the school’s tuition-free program for boys from under-resourced communities in our neighboring East Harlem.

Sophrosyne

Sophrosyne is an ancient Greek virtue—rooted in self-knowledge, marked by a healthy mind and strong character. At Saint David’s, it gives name to our school-wide curriculum in values, ethics, and wellness. From Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight, boys explore what it means to act with integrity, respect difference, and take personal responsibility. Through case studies, role play, and discussion, they learn to articulate what they believe, to listen closely, and to make thoughtful choices grounded in both family and school values.

Religion at Saint David's

In the religion program, boys study the Catholic faith and Christianity while also exploring common threads among the world’s major religions. They learn the history, rituals, and core beliefs of many traditions including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism—and visit houses of worship to deepen their understanding. They are not taught what to believe. Instead, they’re encouraged to listen, reflect, and make space for others’ views. Families are invited to the classroom to share their own religious and cultural traditions, helping boys broaden their perspective and build a foundation for cultural understanding. Catholic boys may receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation—milestones the whole school community honors and celebrates together.