We have some exciting news about the future of La Salle Institute!
(October 6, 2020): Through a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees of La Salle Institute, the concurrence of the Diocese of Albany, and with the approval of the Brothers of the Christian Schools of the District of Eastern North America, beginning in September 2021, La Salle Institute will expand its mission and become a coeducational school, joining the nearly two-thirds of Lasallian Catholic middle and secondary schools across the country who are coeducational. This decision is consistent with our desire to be proactively forward-thinking and assure a strong future for our school. It will strengthen and expand the legacy of La Salle Institute for many decades to come, and we will proudly embrace our expanded mission as the premier 21st Century coeducational Lasallian Catholic school in the Capital District.
We recognize and understand that this news might be surprising for some of you. Our research and deliberations about this change were undertaken with the utmost pride in and respect for La Salle – past, present and future – and a desire to create a true and sustained path forward for our school. We are an independent institution, and La Salle Institute’s name and philosophy of teaching will remain unchanged, honoring our strong history and building our exciting future based on the finest standards and traditions of the Christian Brothers. We are confident that this initiative will both preserve and expand the availability of the great gift of Lasallian Catholic education in the region.
Announcing this new initiative one year in advance of its implementation provides us the opportunity for thorough planning and prayerful discernment. We will be guided by the tradition of our Founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, whose mission has been sustained around the world for more than 300 years. As you know, La Salle Institute fulfills this mission through our distinct sense of purpose and dedication to truth, honor and duty — principles that will continue to guide us. Our future students – young men and young women – will be encouraged to work together in a spirit of cooperation and understanding, and realize their full potential to become moral, responsible and productive members of their communities. This will produce a strong sense of purpose and respect for each other. These timeless values are, and will continue to be, our foundation. The loving, caring and supportive environment so integral to fulfilling the charism of La Salle Institute will continue, and even be renewed, throughout the year ahead through the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of so many in our La Salle family.
We know that this decision represents a fundamental shift from exclusively educating boys and young men. That is why our top priority remains our current students, and a successful transition that will be part of their education. They are front and center in our mind as we take the next step in our planning through the leadership of our Mission Expansion Initiative Committee. We need the assistance, constructive input and wisdom of our current and future parents and students – as well as our alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees – so that we can benefit from the insights and ideas of others as we develop a comprehensive plan of implementation. To that point, within the next few weeks, we will be asking some members of our La Salle community to complete informational surveys to help guide us through the implementation of this initiative.
We are grateful to our school community of alumni, students, parents and friends for your continued support and thoughtful feedback. The world is constantly changing, providing great opportunities for men and women, and after 170 years of La Salle’s presence in Troy, the time has come to open our doors to girls and young women and provide them the same opportunity that we have been providing boys and young men for so many years. Please continue to pray for our school community during this exciting time of our Mission Expansion.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle … Pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts … Forever!
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Announcing this new initiative one year in advance of its implementation provides us the opportunity for thorough planning and prayerful discernment. We will be guided by the tradition of our Founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, whose mission has been sustained around the world for more than 300 years. As you know, La Salle Institute fulfills this mission through our distinct sense of purpose and dedication to truth, honor and duty — principles that will continue to guide us. Our future students – young men and young women – will be encouraged to work together in a spirit of cooperation and understanding, and realize their full potential to become moral, responsible and productive members of their communities. This will produce a strong sense of purpose and respect for each other. These timeless values are, and will continue to be, our foundation. The loving, caring and supportive environment so integral to fulfilling the charism of La Salle Institute will continue, and even be renewed, throughout the year ahead through the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of so many in our La Salle family.
We know that this decision represents a fundamental shift from exclusively educating boys and young men. That is why our top priority remains our current students, and a successful transition that will be part of their education. They are front and center in our mind as we take the next step in our planning through the leadership of our Mission Expansion Initiative Committee. We need the assistance, constructive input and wisdom of our current and future parents and students – as well as our alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees – so that we can benefit from the insights and ideas of others as we develop a comprehensive plan of implementation. To that point, within the next few weeks, we will be asking some members of our La Salle community to complete informational surveys to help guide us through the implementation of this initiative.
We are grateful to our school community of alumni, students, parents and friends for your continued support and thoughtful feedback. The world is constantly changing, providing great opportunities for men and women, and after 170 years of La Salle’s presence in Troy, the time has come to open our doors to girls and young women and provide them the same opportunity that we have been providing boys and young men for so many years. Please continue to pray for our school community during this exciting time of our Mission Expansion.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle … Pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts … Forever!
