Each house then had to pick a house color and mascot. Once these were decided upon, Barnello had t-shirts made for the students in order to represent their house. She then asked the student to create an acronym based on their mascot that would become the House motto.

"For example, the Kolbe house chose the wolf as their mascot," Barnello said, adding that their motto is "With Our Lord Forever."

Once students are assigned to a house, they are encouraged to participate in school activities in order to win points for their house.

"At the end of the year, the House with the most points wins the House Cup, and bragging rights, for the following school year," Barnello explained.

Points can also be given by teachers for a host of reasons -- for participation in school activities, for service projects, for exceptional behavior in the classroom. However, Barnello is quick to point out that "points cannot be taken away."

"We never want this to be used in a punitive way, only in a positive way," she said.

To help foster unity within the house, each month there is a "house meeting" held during school hours. These meetings are run by the House Leaders -- two students who are chosen by the faculty to lead the house.

"These are not necessarily A students," Barnello said, "but they are ones who put forth their best effort at all times."

In addition to the House Leaders, there is also a faculty member who facilitates the meeting, she said.

"I love the House program," said seventh-grader Joellemarie Monfissi, a member of the Kolbe House. "Sometimes you don't really talk to the other grades -- like the 6th grade or the 8th grade -- and this gets us all together."