John Bapst High School

John Bapst is a co-ed nonsectarian, independent college preparatory high school with a tradition of excellence since 1928. Located in Bangor, Maine, the third largest city in the state, John Bapst prepares students in grades nine through twelve for college and university placement by offering challenging programs in academics, athletics and the arts. Accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools, John Bapst is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of Northern New England, and the Maine Association of Independent Schools.

These words describe John Bapst – its students in particular, but they are also true of our teachers and parents. Academic excellence and good character are the hallmarks of a John Bapst education.

John Bapst has often been ranked #1 in northern New England in by the Washington Post and recipient of an “A” from the State of Maine, John Bapst welcomes students from Maine and around the world. We believe strongly in well-roundedness – that the high school experience should include creativity and self-expression, school citizenship and community service, physical fitness and competition. The school’s strong programs in music, visual arts, drama, athletics, and many other areas are open to every student with a sense of curiosity and a desire to grow and explore.

John Bapst has been known as an exceptional academic high school for years.  John Bapst students took 324 AP (Advanced Placement) exams in May 2021 in 22 subject areas. Graduates go on to many of the nation’s top colleges and universities: Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Boston College, Tufts, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Penn, Williams, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Wisconsin, several campuses in the University of California system, and many others.  Here in the State of Maine, dozens of John Bapst scholars have entered the honors programs at the University of Maine; followed the liberal arts to Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin; or specialized at Maine Maritime and other schools.

In the Distinguished Scholars Program students have the option to choose an area for intensive study: STEM, Global Studies, or the Fine and Performing Arts. Highly individualized to help students develop a degree of expertise beyond the typical high school program, no two student plans are the same.

Located in the attractive, safe city of Bangor in the beautiful state of Maine, John Bapst is an independent boarding and day school serving girls and boys in grades 9 through 12.  Our mission is excellence – and virtue. Our small size conveys friendliness and caring. But size can be deceptive, as our spirited athletic teams and outstanding music, art, and drama programs demonstrate each year.

Each year John Bapst is home to students from more than thirty Maine towns. Over the past ten years, the school has also welcomed students from a growing number of other countries: China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Italy, Egypt, Spain, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Albania, Mexico, and Ecuador. The school’s English immersion program with ESL support allows international students to challenge themselves while making friends in America.

Athletics

At John Bapst there are currently 23 varsity sports, 12 sub-varsity sports, and 1 club team. During any given school year there will be over 300 students participating on at least one interscholastic team. For this to be successful there needs to be organization and communication between participants, coaches, parents, and school.

Seven-Day Boarding

In addition to our main school building, the school campus includes three houses located in Bangor’s Broadway Historic District that have been updated to accommodate the boarding program.  Each house has a distinctive character, reflecting the historical architecture of the Bangor area while affording the comfort of modern amenities.  All are within a short walk to the main school building.  The residence halls, along with the main building itself and the adjacent dining facility, form the heart of residential life for boarding students.

Living with students are John Bapst faculty and staff. Houseparents know the school’s academic program and offer students an open-door policy for help with homework or just for the chance to have a conversation about how it’s going at school.

On weekends in the Greater Bangor area there’s always plenty to do with your friends, from shopping and restaurants to movies and concerts, including many opportunities within walking distance of campus.

Homestay Program

The John Bapst Homestay Program is designed for international students who would like the experience of living with a John Bapst family — in most cases, a faculty member or parents of a local student. The Homestay Program is another great way to speed up language acquisition.