Many elite families sent their kids to St. Berdadine, many outstanding commoners also enrolled and were offered scholarships. They were not like any other elite school. They taught their students that all people were equal, no one was above another and punished anyone who broke the rules. With no regards to status, wealth or connections.
However St. Berdadine also had it's dark side. Not all teachers were noble of heart, not all students believed that everyone was equal and justice was never delivered to the ones suffering in silence. Eve and Emmeline had no idea there were secret rules when attending St. Berdadine.
So when they walked into class, after morning assembly the students were pulled out and told they were going on a tour.