Overview

Overview of House Systems

The origin of the “house system” dates back to Britain where educational institutions were also boarding schools. Thus, school administrators saw the need to help their boarders meet their physical, socio-emotional needs, etc., and divided them into mixed-age groups akin to a family. Each group or “house” created this familial sense of loyalty and responsibility especially when sports and charity events took place.

The foregoing scenario was exemplified in the films and books on Harry Potter. The United States likewise had manifested interest in the house system. To date, Catholic schools, in particular, have begun to use the house system to promote positive character traits as well as to instill a sense of belonging and group pride.

What are Houses?

They are groups of students and adults who support one another. They act as a mini-community for a better sense of participation and loyalty, closer camaraderie, and more effective inculcation of virtues and values that are standards of behavior.