Formative Education in Practice at Boston College

At Boston College, formative education is at the heart of academic and co-curricular life. Through a wide array of programs, students, faculty, and staff are invited to engage deeply with questions of purpose, community, and personal growth. These opportunities span classrooms, retreats, mentoring relationships, service initiatives, and immersive experiences—each offering unique avenues for reflection and transformation.

Academic Programs Integrating Formative Education

students sitting together on a mountain at sunset during capstone pilgrimage program

Boston College seniors retrace the journey of St. Ignatius in Spain during the Capstone course “The Discerning Pilgrim"

Boston College offers courses and academic initiatives that intentionally incorporate reflection and holistic development. These programs are offered across various schools, fostering both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary engagement throughout a student’s academic journey.

Learn more about formative education at Boston College

Co-Curricular Programs

Boston College students and local youth smiling together and holding a big sign during a mentoring program event.

Through ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Bigs, Boston College students mentor local youth ages 8–16, fostering community connections and making a lasting difference in young people’s lives

Outside the classroom, students can engage in hands-on learning and personal development through co-curricular initiatives focused on service, mentoring, and community building.

Programs for First-Year Students

Boston College first-year students presenting a design-thinking project poster as part of the Experience, Reflection, and Action (ERA) program.

ERA first-year students showcase their end-of-year design-thinking projects, applying formative education principles to real-world challenges and solutions

To support the transition to college life, Boston College offers formative experiences tailored to first-year students. These programs foster self-awareness, connection, and a strong sense of belonging.

Division of Mission and Ministry

The Division of Mission and Ministry offers a wide range of reflective and spiritually rooted experiences for students, faculty, and staff.

Programs for students by the Center for Student Formation:


Learn more about Student Formation

Boston College students and faculty seated in a circle during a Halftime Retreat discussion

At the Halftime Retreat, students reflect with peers, faculty, and staff on their life experiences and future direction

Two Boston College students working together on a reflection activity during the Halftime Retreat.

Halftime participants engage in guided activities that encourage discernment, connection, and self-discovery

View of the mountainside in Spain along the pilgrimage route

The Compañía Pilgrimage takes Boston College faculty and administrators to Spain and Rome, fostering reflection and community while retracing the journey of St. Ignatius

Formative Projects at the Lynch School of Education & Human Development

City Connects

Student and teacher

City Connects builds a network of support for students, their families, and the schools that serve them, improving outcomes now—and for years to come.
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Purpose Lab

Belle Liang Photo by Victoria Levy

The Purpose Lab, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Belle Liang, specializes in youth purpose intervention and research. We facilitate purpose learning and development among college students.

DevTech

Student and teacher

The Developmental Technologies Research Group promotes young children’s learning in computational thinking, coding, making & engineering in a playful, developmentally appropriate way.

CSTEEP

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The Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation, and Educational Policy (CSTEEP) conducts research to improve school assessment practices and international comparative research.

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