Brophy Prep Announces Requirement of Vaccination or Bi-Weekly Covid-19 Testing for All Students and Staff

Private catholic school Brophy Prep announced Wednesday, the requirement for all students and staff must have received the full COVID-10 vaccination or they will be required to be tested twice a week starting next month.

In a letter given to parents, Brophy College Preparatory detailed out their back-to-school rules regarding COVID-19. When classes begin on Aug. 9, everyone will be required to wear a mask indoors, with masks being optional outdoors. Starting on Sept. 13, masks will be optional.

Also, beginning Sept. 13, all students and employees must show proof they are vaccinated. Those who have not been vaccinated will have to submit a negative COVID-19 test twice a week. The tests will be required to be done at a lab or pharmacy, no at-home tests.

Those students who want to participate in overnight retreats or school-related activities outside of the Valley must be vaccinated. That mandate starts on Aug. 9.

The school also announced all learning will be done in-person this year. There will be no hybrid options offered to students. If a Brophy student tests positive for COVID-19, they must quarantine for 10 days. Unvaccinated students who are exposed to a COVID-19 case will also have to isolate.

Brophy Prep Principal Bob Ryan said in the letter he hopes the school community has the same “kind of care and diligence” to getting the COVID-19 vaccine that it did to wearing masks last year. “Although we know that young people are less likely to suffer serious effects from COVID, they can be carriers of the virus and can spread it to vulnerable members of our community,” said Ryan.