Don Bosco Prep
Site Overview
Don Bosco Preparatory High School, located in Ramsey, New Jersey, is a private Catholic college preparatory school guided by the vision and charism of St. John Bosco. Rooted in Salesian spirituality, the school serves young men by fostering academic excellence, spiritual growth, leadership, and service. Its mission is to form “good Christians and honest citizens” through a holistic education that integrates faith, reason, and family spirit.
Volunteers serving at Don Bosco Prep become part of a vibrant Salesian community where academics, athletics, arts, and faith life thrive together. With a diverse student body and a strong tradition of outreach, the school provides opportunities to accompany young people both inside and outside the classroom. Whether assisting with faith formation, extracurricular activities, or campus life, volunteers play an important role in supporting the Salesian mission of educating and evangelizing youth in today’s world.
Available Ministries
- Catequesis & Retreat
- Education
- Teacher (Secondary)
- Youth & Campus Ministry
Location
Time Commitment
Opportunities
Current Volunteers
Ministry Background
Founded in 1915 by the Salesians of Don Bosco, Don Bosco Preparatory High School carries over a century of tradition in Catholic education and youth ministry. Established to serve young men in northern New Jersey, the school embodies St. John Bosco’s preventive system of reason, religion, and loving-kindness, creating a family spirit where faith and education work hand in hand. Over the years, Don Bosco Prep has grown into a leading Catholic college preparatory school while remaining faithful to its Salesian roots of accompanying youth with joy, guidance, and hope.
Purpose & Objectives
The ministry purpose of Don Bosco Preparatory High School is to provide young men with a faith-centered, academically rigorous education that forms them into “good Christians and honest citizens” in the spirit of St. John Bosco. As a Salesian school, its mission is not only to prepare students for college and professional success, but also to nurture their spiritual lives, moral character, and sense of responsibility to others. Through academics, athletics, service, and prayer, the Prep strives to create a family-like environment where students grow in faith, integrity, and leadership, ready to make a positive impact in the Church and in the world.
Programs, Activities, & Other Projects
In addition to academics, Don Bosco Prep offers a wide range of programs and ministries that support the Salesian mission of holistic youth formation. These include vibrant campus ministry initiatives such as retreats, service projects, liturgies, and immersion experiences that deepen students’ faith and social awareness. The school also provides extensive extracurricular opportunities—athletics, music, theater, student clubs, and leadership programs—that encourage teamwork, creativity, and responsibility. Volunteers may also encounter outreach efforts that connect the Prep community with local parishes, the poor, and the broader Salesian family, ensuring that faith in action remains at the heart of its mission.
Duties & Responsibilities
Some potential major duties for a volunteer at Don Bosco Prep:
- Assist Campus Ministry with retreats, liturgies, and service projects
- Support classroom activities, tutoring, or mentoring students
- Help facilitate extracurricular programs such as athletics, arts, or student clubs
- Accompany students in faith formation and leadership development opportunities
- Provide a positive Salesian presence on campus, modeling family spirit and encouragement
- Assist with communications, events, or outreach initiatives that connect the school with the local community and Salesian network
Practical Qualifications/Skills Needed
- Strong desire to serve youth in the spirit of St. John Bosco
- Practicing Catholic with openness to Salesian spirituality and community life
- Experience working with teens or young adults (teaching, mentoring, coaching, or youth ministry)
- Flexibility and willingness to support a variety of school and ministry needs
- Good communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build positive relationships
- Patience, creativity, and enthusiasm in working with diverse groups of students
- Organizational skills to assist with events, retreats, or extracurricular activities
- Background in education, faith formation, leadership, athletics, or the arts (helpful but not required)
Useful Academic Preparation
- A bachelor’s degree (or significant progress toward one), especially in education, theology, or a related field
- Background in teaching, tutoring, or mentoring high school students
Familiarity with Catholic theology and youth faith formation (helpful for Campus Ministry roles) - Strong writing, speaking, and organizational skills to support both classroom and extracurricular activities
Useful Experience
- Teaching, tutoring, or mentoring high school or middle school students
- Leadership in youth ministry, parish programs, or retreat teams
- Coaching or assisting with athletics and extracurricular activities
- Experience in music, theater, or other creative arts
- Organizing or participating in service projects and community outreach
- Prior involvement in Salesian, Catholic, or other faith-based programs
- Living or working in a community setting that values collaboration and shared mission
Involvement with the religous community
Area Information
The volunteer would be serving in Ramsey, New Jersey, a suburban community located in Bergen County, about 25 miles northwest of New York City. The area offers the feel of a small town while being closely connected to the cultural, educational, and ministry opportunities of the greater New York metropolitan region. Volunteers will find themselves in a safe, family-oriented environment with access to both local parish life and the broader Salesian presence in the area.
Housing & Community
Launder
Access to washer and dryer
Local Medical Facilities
Don Bosco Prep is located in Ramsey, New Jersey, which is well served by nearby medical facilities. Volunteers would have access to several hospitals and urgent care centers within a short drive. The closest major hospital is Valley Hospital in Ridgewood (about 15 minutes away), a highly regarded facility offering comprehensive emergency and specialty care. Other nearby options include Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley in Westwood and numerous local urgent care clinics in Ramsey and neighboring towns. In addition, being just 25 miles from New York City, world-class medical centers such as Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, and Columbia-Presbyterian are also within reach if needed.
