作为可追溯到希波圣奥古斯丁（354-430）的天主教宗教秩序的一部分，维拉诺瓦预备学校倡导他的社区理想，即其成员 “在通往上帝的道路上同心协力”。奥古斯丁式的教育方法旨在创造一个让学习蓬勃发展的社区环境。
Established in October 1924, Villanova has now successfully embraced this approach to education for more than 100 years. The 131-acres on which Villanova sits were purchased for approximately $20,000 USD in the early 1920's. The first buildings on site were Cantwell Hall (today, as it was originally, the boys dorm) and Austin Hall for classroom spaces.
In the early 1970's the school became co-educational, and by the early 1980's young women were admitted as resident students. The impressive McGrath Science Center was completed at the same time, today housing all science courses taught for high school students. In 1989 Villanova became the only high school in the United States to receive an endowed scholarship from Lady Clare Boothe Luce; today the investment continues to fund the Clare Boothe Luce Program for supporting young women in STEM.
In 1990 the Clarke Gym was built, with the new pool and aquatic center following in 1997. Most recently, the school has added an Art Center, two digital arts labs, and the Taylor Student Center for housing the school's Counseling Department.
维拉诺瓦预备学校在圣奥古斯丁的生平和著作中发现了引人注目的遗产。这位五世纪的主教、哲学家和神学家坚信寻求理解和真理是一项共同的追求，最终将寻求者引向上帝，即所有真理和智慧的源头。