A member of the Middle School Photography Club, Faggiano attends myriad Prep athletic games, including football, to work on his sports photography skills.
Ever wonder what a seventh grader is up to these days? Follow along throughout a typical day in the life of St. John’s Prep Middle Schooler Matteo Faggiano ’30 as he navigates the classes, co-curriculars, teammates, teachers, and projects that create a vibrant environment for the Prep’s younger cohort of students.
Q&A Period
When did you first learn about St. John’s Prep? “It was always in the picture: I think I was always leaning towards it,” recalls Faggiano. “I remember going to events as a way to learn more about the school. My dad [Mark Faggiano ’92] is an alumnus, so it’s been cool hearing stories of his time here. A great example is Ms. Grutchfield is my tennis coach right now—she coached my dad’s JV basketball team. Plus, I don’t need to tell him where to park since he knows the school so well.”
Faggiano works on designs that included no white space, just color, during art class.
What has surprised you about the Middle School? “It’s a lot about managing your own time, which for me is a good thing. At the end of class or during advisory, I can usually get ahead on my work. That’s been a nice surprise.”
How have you grown between sixth and seventh grade? “In general, I think I’ve learned how to become a better person. Math courses have been harder this year, for me at least. So, I’ve been learning a lot more, but it’s also getting to the point where it’s definitely challenging, but in a good way.”
How have you formed connections at St. John’s? “I’ve definitely met people who I never would have met otherwise—even kids in my town [Reading, MA] who I didn’t know before,” Faggiano says. “Also, having a structure where you have the same teachers for two years is nice because they’re not going away after two semesters. It opens up the class in a different, more fun way, too.”
How would you rate your average day at the Prep with 10 being the best? “An 8 or 9. Usually, you have at least one class that’s really fun, and that changes all the time. You’ll have an awesome day in science class where you’re building a house out of pencils and tape designed to withstand an earthquake, but then the next day you do something fun in math. It also helps to have a good attitude going into the day.”
What do you think you’ll be like as a senior? “I hope I’ll be a better person in general, a better photographer, will have learned a whole lot more, and be a lot smarter. It would be fun to be part of a varsity team. I think about college even now, but that’s as stressful as you want it to be. I hope I’ve got it all figured out by then, whatever that might mean.”
Faggiano secures his team’s structure before his science teacher, Ms. Yantz, simulated an earthquake by shaking a rigged platform.
To prepare students for what’s to come at the High School, the schedule in grades seven and eight is structured to mimic the waterfall schedule in grades nine through 12. There are seven blocks, so students drop and pick up two new blocks each day.
7:30 AM | Arrive at School
“Usually I get a ride to school from my mom or my dad.” While he waits for the bell to ring at 8 am, Faggiano will sit with friends in the Dining Commons to finish up studying for any tests or quizzes that day or just hang out.
8:00 AM | Computer Science
“Good morning St. John’s, today is Day 6 in the rotation schedule,” announces campus minister Mr. Driscoll’s voice over the PA. This means that after morning prayer, Faggiano’s first class of the day—computer science—will begin. When asked what his favorite class is, he’s hesitant. “That’s always a tough question to answer because I have such great teachers who make it all fun.”
Faggiano and his classmates make their way into their social studies class.
8:48 AM | E Block: Social Studies
Topics covered in seventh grade: Students look at recurring patterns throughout the ancient world and how they affected the development of civilization, with particular attention to the development of religion and government. Students also look at various geographical challenges faced by river civilizations and design solutions to common problems, then compare their inventions to the real-life developments of the Mesopotamians.
9:48 AM | F Block: Wellness Break
In addition to their PE classes, seventh graders can have a wellness break built into their schedule. Faggiano says it’s an opportunity for some free time to play with friends in the Mahoney Wellness Center or outside when the weather is nice.
10:37 AM | G Block: Religious Studies
“We’ve learned a lot about the School’s history in religious studies class, which I think is cool. We’ve covered the history of the Xaverian Brothers and their five spiritual values: compassion, humility, simplicity, trust, and zeal.”
11:32 AM | Lunch Break
Faggiano is a bring-your-own-lunch kind of guy.
12:01 PM | Advisory
Middle Schoolers have a 30-minute advisory period every day. It serves as an interlude during which students can connect with other adults and it provides time for questions and catch-up work. Or, it can also be a nice space in the middle of their day for students to reset or take a break.
Faggiano and classmate Luke Flynn ’30 work on a partner problem set during math class.
12:35 PM | A Block: Algebra
Topics covered in seventh grade: All things linear—graphing and writing equations of linear functions, graphing and writing linear inequalities, and solving linear systems in several different ways. Ms. Duren P’23 also reads The Man Who Counted by Malba Tahan to her class, a story about a gifted but humble 13th century “calculator” from rural Persia. The boys look forward to it every time!
1:34 PM | B Block: Latin
Topics covered in seventh grade: Along with language skills, students learned about the daily lives of Romans and participated in a Generative AI pilot program where they interviewed a “Roman Emperor” and made observations about the reliability and accuracy of responses and engaged with an AI language tutor to prepare for story-based assessments.
2:34 PM | Co-Curricular Activities
“I was never interested in photography before coming to the Prep, but now I’ve been part of the Photography Club for two years. I’ve also been able to play tennis and golf, and last year we went on ski trips during the month of February to Ski Bradford. There are so many advantages and opportunities you get with this school.” Faggiano is also a member of the Junior Spire Society, a group that acts as ambassadors to prospective families.
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