What if the best measure of a school isn’t just where graduates go, but who they become? We sit down with President David Laughlin to unpack how Rockhurst High School forms young men who work hard, love well, and aim their gifts toward something bigger than themselves. Across four decades in Catholic education, David maps the Jesuit DNA that powers our culture: prayer that frames the day, retreats that reset priorities, service that tempers ambition, and a rigorous college prep program that treats study habits as spiritual habits.

You’ll hear how excellence at Rockhurst avoids the comparison game. We talk about confident humility—reaching for high standards not to outdo others, but to honor the Giver of the gift. From STEM labs and speech team to choir and athletics, faculty set clear expectations and coach students into them. The rumor that “it’s a lot of work” becomes a rhythm when you look left and right and see everyone leaning in. That shared effort builds joy and resilience, making early mornings, office hours, and rehearsals feel like a path, not a punishment.

We also travel with David through alumni stories that stretch from Kansas City to San Diego, New Orleans, and Houston. The thread is striking: graduates stay connected, lead with purpose, and carry Rockhurst habits into families, careers, and communities. As the metro’s only all-boys Jesuit high school, Rockhurst holds a distinctive place—shaped by history, energized by parents and Jesuits, and committed to forming men for others. If you’re weighing where your son can be known, challenged, and guided, this conversation offers a clear window into a school where faith, scholarship, brotherhood, and service come to life.

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